Paradoxical effect of oral lorazepam in a premedication for ERCP

Restlessness often complicates ERCP and may be a reason for premature termination of the procedure. To evaluate whether a premedication with orally administered lorazepam could reduce the need for sedatives and improve sedation quality, we studied 95 patients undergoing ERCP in a randomized double-blind trial. Methods: Inpatients scheduled for ERCP (age 20–85 years) received either 1mg lorazepam (n=47) or placebo (n=48). The sedation was induced by midazolam (0.03–0.10mg/kg) and propofol (0.3–1.0mg/kg) and maintained by bolus doses of propofol (20–50mg), S(+)-ketamine (25mg), and in longer procedures additional…