Problems encountered using temazepam syrup for sedation in infants

Abstract

Six infants with a history of wheezing were given temazepam syrup as sedation, to allow lung function tests to be performed. Despite doses ranging from 2.5 mg/kg-4.5 mg/kg only one infant remained a sleep for 1 h, the time taken for full lung function to be assessed. All other infants awoke within 15 min before test could be completed. Three infants developed hiccoughs and three were very irritable after awaking from sedation.

Sedation in infant pulmonary function testing

“…Oral temazapam, another benzodiazepine has been tried in IPFT with no success. 7 Moreover since midazolam can relax smooth and skeletal muscles, the expiratory flows may be affected by the drug thereby skewing the IPFT results. 8 Predictive norms in IPFT have been derived using CH.…”

“…Oral administration of midazolam is an alternative option but predominant first pass metabolism of midazolam makes it unlikely to be superior. Oral temazapam, another benzodiazepine has been tried in IPFT with no success . Moreover since midazolam can relax smooth and skeletal muscles, the expiratory flows may be affected by the drug thereby skewing the IPFT results .…”