Comparative Study on Effectiveness of Doxapram and Pethidine for Postanaesthetic Shivering

Abstract

Introduction: Postanaesthetic shivering is a common condition after surgery which needs proper
management with pharmacologic agents so as to make postoperative period comfortable to the
patient and prevent from the untoward complications that can arise from it. This study was done to
compare the effectiveness of Pethidine and Doxapram in the treatment of postanaesthetic shivering.
Methods: Patients were randomly divided into three groups, ten in each. All received volume of
3 ml as Group I (Doxapram 1.5 mg/kg), Group II (Pethidine 0.35 mg/kg) and Group III (Normal
Saline). All patients were observed for 30 minutes after reversal of muscle relaxant and occurrence of
shivering within this period was observed, scored and treated. All treated patients were observed for
10 minutes after the test drug was given for control of shivering and any untoward effects.
Results: Pethidine was found more effective than Doxapram in treating postanaesthetic shivering
as it was effective in 80% followed by Doxapram in 60% and Normal saline in 20%. Statistically the
results between Normal saline and Pethidine was signifi cant as P<0.05. As statistical significance
between Doxapram and Normal Saline was p=0.16; and between Pethidine and Doxapram was
p=0.62, the difference is statistically not significant.
Conclusions: Pethidine was found to be more effective compared to Doxapram in treating patients
with postoperative shivering.
Key Words: doxapram, pethidine, postanesthetic shivering