DIAZEPAM AS AN ANTI-CONVULSANT AGENT IN ECT
MEHMET EKINCI M.D.1,
JOHN J. HSU M.D.2,
MORRIS BRUCK PH.D.3, , and
ROBERT A. BRAUN M.D.4
1 Director of Admission Service, Pontiac State Hosp., Pontiac, Mich.
2 Director of Research, Pontiac State Hosp., Pontiac, Mich.
3 Director of Psychol. Dept., Pontiac State Hosp., Pontiac, Mich.
4 Clinical Director, Pontiac State Hosp., Pontiac, Mich.
Evaluation of the scales on severity of convulsions revealed a significant difference between anectine-Na pentothal on the one hand and diazepam and placebo on the other hand. Even with the highest doses of diazepam, the convulsions were as severe as with placebo while they were significantly reduced on anectine-Na pentothal. This result is confirmed by the findings of fractures following diazepam and placebo, but not following anectine-Na pentothal. There were no side effects with anectine-Na pentothal treatment, but there was ataxia and drowsiness with high doses of diazepam.
It is concluded from this study that oral diazepam is not an adequate substitute for anectine-Na pentothal as pre-ECT medication for the prevention of fractures.
