Comparison of Diazepam and Morphine as Premedication for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Midazolam for patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: A prospective, single‐blind and randomized study to determine the appropriate amount and time of initiation of endoscopy

“…The technology of endoscopy has improved over the past 20 years and the methods of premedication have changed as well. Intravenous diazepam alone was used just prior to the first reported endoscopy in 1971 14 . Sedative premedication has been used to settle patient anxiety and can reduce the discomfort and unpleasantness during the insertion of the endoscope.…”

Nonanesthesiologist-administered propofol sedation: from the exception to standard practice. Sedation and monitoring trends over 20 years

“…With their presentation of the first 260 treated patients and the perception that the rate of satisfactory procedures increased by more than 20 % if diazepam was added, compared with meperidine alone, the foundation of a long-standing clinical practice of combining diazepam with meperidine was laid, a combination therapy that was again modified several years later to facilitate the emerging technique of examination of the entire colon [4]. In addition to sedation and anxiolysis, the muscular relaxation and regular amnesia observed were especially welcome side-effects of this drug [5]. The characteristic features of an ideal endoscopic premedication had already been defined at that time: it should "produce optimal relaxation, have a rapid onset of action, last for an optimum period of time, and rapidly dissipate thereafter.…”

Topical Anesthesia in Preendoscopic Medication: Spray Versus Lozenges

“…Topical anesthesia for preendoscopic medication is still controversial (Cook 1974, Gordon 1976, Ihamdki 1974, Ludlam 1971, Peterson 1972, Sparberg 1967). The disadvantages attributed to topical anesthesia are the stimulation of salivary secretion, the concomitant impairment of oro-pharyngeal deglutation or the possibility of aspiration of saliva, regurgitated gastric juice and toxic reactions due to overdosage and idiosyncrasy.…”