Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Gabapentin, a structural analogue of gamma amino butyric acid, is used as an analgesic adjunct to reduce the post operative pain and post operative morphine consumption. The present study was conducted to compare effects of gabapentin and alprazolam on post operative analgesia. Materials & Methods: fifty- one patients with age ranged 30–65 years of both genders scheduled for elective abdominal hysterectomy were divided into three groups of 17 each. Group I received gabapentin – oral gabapentin 600 mg, group II received 0.5 mg alprazolam oral and group III placebo – oral B complex forte with Vitamin C 1 capsule. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to measure the anxiety and post operative pain. Results: The mean duration of surgery in group I was 157.2 minutes, in group II was 161.6 minutes and in group III was 155.7 minutes. Anxiety score before pre- medication was 21 in group I, 33 in group II and 35 in group III and after pre- medication was 20 in group I, 20 in group II and 27 in group II. VAS score at 1 hour was 50.4, 70.3 and 70.8, at 2 hours was 48.2, 60.4 and 62.4, at 6 hours was 35.7, 32.8 and 40.6 and at 24 hours was 20.6, 10.4 and 15.8. Ramsay sedation score (h) at 1 hour was 2, 3 and 2, at 2 hours was 2, 2 and 2, at 6 hours was 2, 2 and 2 and at 24 hours was 2, 2 and 2 in group I, II and III respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Alprazolam as premedication was found to be an effective anxiolytic in the pre operative period as compared to gabapentin.