The Effect of Chlordiazepoxide and Pethidine, Alone and in Combination, on the Respiratory Response to Carbon Dioxide

Abstract

The respiratory effeas following the intravenous administration of chlordiazepoxide (1 mg/kg) and pethidine (0.5 mg/kg), both alone and as a mixture, were studied by means of carbon dioxide stimulus-response curves. Eight healthy adult volunteers demonstrated no statistically significant respiratory depression after receiving chlordiazepoxide. Pethidine alone caused depression for 2 hours, and in combination with chlordiazepoxide the duration was prolonged to 4 hours (the duration of the study period).

Effect of nitrazepam and flurazepam on the ventilatory response to carbon dioxide.

“…Sadove, Balagot, and McGrath (1965) demonstrated respiratory depression with pethidine which was not worsened by the simultaneous administration of intravenous chlordiazepoxide or diazepam. This was confirmed by Steen and his co-workers (Steen et al, 1966;Steen et al, 1967), who measured also the ventilatory response to CO2 after the administration of chlordiazepoxide and diazepam, both alone and with pethidine, in normal volunteers. No depression of CO2 sensitivity could be demonstrated with these benzodiazepines.…”

Hypnotics and the control of breathing: a review.

“…Chlordiazepoxide apparently has little influence on respiration even when administered intravenously. Steen et al (1967) measured the CO2 response curve following the administration of 1 mg/kg chlordiazepoxide intravenously and found respiratory depression in six but apparent stimulation in two subjects.…”