Comparison of the calming and sedative effects of nalbuphine and pentazocine for paediatric premedication.

Nalbuphine (EN2234A) is an agonist-antagonist analgesic. It is structurally related to the narcotic analgesic oxymorphone and to the narcotic antagonist naloxone. A double blind study was carried out in 400 children in ASA classification I, ranging from 10 months to 14 years of age, to compare nalbuphine, pentazocine and placebo for paediatric premedication. Our results showed that nalbuphine is comparable to pentazocine as a premedicating agent and superior to placebo, in the doses used, and that premedication is an important adjunct to anaesthesia in children. Following premedication with nalbuphine or pentazocine, there were fewer apprehensive children at the time of induction of anaesthesia and in the recovery room when compared to those receiving placebo injections.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes