Premedication in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. A comparison of glucagon and atropine given in combination with diazepam and pethidine.

The effects of four premedication regimes on clinical variables regarded as important in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were evaluated in a double-blind randomized study. The drug combinations were diazepam/glucagon, diazepam/atropine, pethidine/glucagon, and pethidine/atropine. No significant difference was observed among the combinations of regimes or between diazepam and pethidine or between glucagon and atropine with regard to the variables duration of examination, vomiting, secretion and maximal pyloric opening. Pethidine was more effective than diazepam in reducing salivation and pyloric reflux. Glucagon was more effective than atropine in reducing motility and reflux and was also superior to atropine with regard to diagnostic accuracy. Glucagon caused less subjective discomfort than atropine 2 h and 1 day after the investigation.