Venous complications of two diazepam preparations related to size of vein

Abstract

The venous complications associated with the administration of two preparations of diazepam, an aqueous (Valium) or a lipid (Diazemuls) preparation were investigated in 100 panents before upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in a double-blind randomized study. No differences in pain during injection or subsequent thrombophlebitis were found when a large vein was used for the injections. In a retrospective study of 78 patients who had received either preparation in a vein on the dorsum of the hand, the frequency of thrombophlebitis was significantly less with the lipid preparation. Both preparations provided effective sedation for endoscopy. © 1983 The Macmillan Press Ltd.