A prospective randomized single-blind study comparing alprazolam versus clonidine and pregabalin as preanaesthetic medication in patients undergoing elective lower limb surgeries

Objective: The objective of the study was to study comparison of alprazolam versus clonidine and pregabalin as pre-anesthetic medication in patients undergoing elective lower limb surgeries. Methods: The present study was undertaken to compare the effects of alprazolam 0.5 mg, clonidine 100 μg, and pregabalin 75 mg as premedicant drugs for the reduction of pre-operative anxiety. 90 patients of ASA Grades I and II, between 18 and 60 years, of either sex, undergoing elective lower limb surgery were divided into three groups of 30 patients each. Baseline anxiety level and level after 2 h of the drug were assessed. Side effects due to drugs were noted before going to OT (Post drug, i.e., 2 h after drug administration), after the completion of the surgery, and at 24 h. Results: There is a significant post-drug reduction in s-STAI score, t-STAI score, and CGI score when compared to baseline values in all the Group’s A, C, and P. Side effects were mild and there were no serious adverse effects observed in all three groups. In Group A, 10% of patients complained of fatigue while in Group C, 13.3% of patients complained of dryness of mouth, and 10% of patients complained of headache 2 h post drug administration but in Group P, no side effect was noted. Conclusion: Premedication with 0.5 mg alprazolam, 100 μg clonidine, and 75 mg pregabalin for control of pre-operative anxiety was comparable though pregabalin offered a significant advantage in terms of less side effects.