Thalamonal as a pre-operative sedative

Abstract

In 100 healthy gynaecological patients the sedative properties of Thalamonal (2 ml) were studied using a standard scoring system and compared with morphine (10 mg). In 45 of the patients the changes in forearm blood flow which resulted from the application of the stimulus were studied. Both the scoring system and the measurements of the change in forearm blood flow showed that Thalamonal (2 ml) was a better pre-operative sedative than morphine (10 mg). Thalamonal also produced a significantly greater fall in systolic blood pressure and heart rate as compared with morphine, and the postoperative emetic sequelae were significantly lower. There was a disturbingly high incidence of "shivering" in the immediate pre-operative period in some 25 per cent of patients who had received Thalamonal and it is considered that this is a limiting factor to the routine use of the drug combination. © 1968 John Sherratt and Son Ltd.