Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice

Premedication dilemmas, is Pregabalin the answer?

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Preetha Elizabeth George
. Reetika Chander
. Dootika Liddle
. Valsamma Abraham

Department of Anesthesiology, Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, Punjab, India

Abstract
Objective: Laryngoscopy and intubation are associated with sympathetic stimulation which 
can prove deleterious in patients with cardiovascular compromise; so, various methods have 
been tried to obtund this pressor response. In this study, we have assessed the efficacy of 
pregabalin in attenuating the pressor response to laryngoscopy and intubation.
Methods: This prospective randomized study included 80 patients with American Society 
of Anesthesiologists physical status grades I‑II, in the age group of 18–60 years of age. 
The patients were randomized into two groups of 40 patients each. Group A received 
the placebo orally, 90 min prior to surgery. Group B received 150 mg of pregabalin orally, 
90 min prior to surgery. These patients were assessed in terms of sedation with Ramsay 
sedation scale (RSS). In the operation theatre, the heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure, 
diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and oxygen saturation recorded at baseline 
and 1, 3, 5, and 10 min after intubation. The rate pressure product (RPP) was calculated for 
these time intervals. In the postoperative period, patients were assessed for complications 
like dizziness, nausea, and blurred vision. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi‑square 
and ANOVA tests.
Findings: The group receiving 150 mg of pregabalin as premedication was found to be 
adequately sedated at 1 h post-premedication with 52% patients having a RSS score of 3 
compared to 4% with the same RSS score in the placebo group (P < 0.0001). Hemodynamics 
was more stable post-intubation with significant stability in the HR (P = 0.002) and 
RPP (P = 0.004) in the pregabalin group.
Conclusion: Pregabalin when given as a premedication provides adequate sedation and 
obtunds the pressor response seen with intubation.

Keywords

Laryngoscopy
Pregabalin
pressor response
Ramsay sedation scale
  rate pressure product

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Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice
Volume 4, Issue 3
Summer 2015
Pages 142-146

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