The influence of dosage and premedication on induction of anesthesia with minaxolone.

Minaxolone, a new steroid induction agent, was administered to unpremedicated patients at three dose levels and at 0.5 mg . kg-1 to patients receiving three different premedicant regimes. The main side effects observed at induction were involuntary muscle movements but hypertonus and tremor were also seen. Respiratory complications consisted mainly of hiccough. Over the range of doses studied only the latter complication appeared to be dose-related. Premedication with diazepam and especially opiate combinations reduced the frequency and severity of excitatory effects and respiratory upset and increased the proportion of acceptable anesthesia. Marked respiratory depression and hypotension of greater than 20 mm Hg were rare even after opiate premedication.