To evaluate efficacy of pregabalin for the prevention of etomidate-induced myoclonus: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study

Abstract

Context: The incidence of myoclonus after etomidate induction is 50%–80%. The present study evaluated the efficacy of oral pregabalin for the prevention of etomidate-induced myoclonus. Settings and Design: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Subjects and Methods: Seventy-four patients of the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Grade I or II scheduled for elective surgery under anesthesia were recruited. Following exclusion, 66 patients were randomized into two groups. In Group P patients received pregabalin 150 mg orally 1 h before induction of anesthesia and in Group C patients received placebo tablet. The primary outcome was the incidence and severity of myoclonus. The secondary outcome was the postoperative sedation level. Results: The incidence and severity of myoclonus were significantly decreased in Group P compared with Group C (P 0.05). Conclusion: Pretreatment with pregabalin 150 mg orally reduced the incidence and severity of etomidate-induced myoclonus however incidence of sedation was more.

Keywords

• etomidate
• myoclonus
• postoperative sedation
• pregabalin