Glycopyrrolate compared with atropine in prevention of the oculocardiac reflex during eye-muscle surgery

Abstract

The incidence and severity of bradycardia that can develop during surgical correction of strabismus are of sufficient magnitude to warrant use of anticholinergic drugs. Glycopyrrolate appears to be superior to atropine because, in the doses used, it caused less tachycardia. However, both atropine and glycopyrrolate are effective in prevention of the oculocardiac reflex during surgical correction of strabismus when given intravenously just before the operation is begun.