Combination of melatonin and alprazolam to reduce preoperative anxiety

Preoperative anxiety is a major problem for surgical patients. A recent double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated the use of a combination of melatonin and alprazolam as premedication to reduce anxiety more effectively than either drug alone. This article analyzes the study and its implications for clinical practice.

Review of the melatonin and alprazolam premedication study

Study Design and Objectives

• • A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

• • 80 adult patients were operated on

• • Principal aim: Assess whether the combination of melatonin and alprazolam enhances anxiolytic effects compared with taking the single drug or placebo

• • 4 groups:
    • • Alprazolam 0.5 mg + Melatonin 3 mg
    • • Just alprazolam 0.5 mg
    • • Just melatonin 3 mg
    • • Placebo

Measuring results

• • Primary outcome: anxiety level changes at 15, 30 and 60 minutes after premedication

• • Anxiety measured by Visual Analogue Score (VAS)

• • Secondary outcome: Sedation assessment

Key findings: combination of melatonin and alprazolam reduces anxiety

• Combination therapy significantly reduced anxiety levels compared with taking a single drug or placebo
  
  • • Most pronounced reduction in anxiety after 60 minutes (P <0.05)

• Sedation rates similar between combination therapy and alprazolam monotherapy
  
  • • The addition of melatonin did not enhance sedation

• • Safety profile agreed for all groups
    
    • • There is no difference in side effects such as vomiting, dizziness, headache or anxiety

Additional information about the outputs

Treatment group	Key finding
Alprazolam + Melatonin	Improved anxiety reduction without increasing sedation
Just alprazolam	Effective in reducing anxiety, but not as much as a combination of
Just melatonin	Some reduction in anxiety, but less than in alprazolam groups
Placebo	No clinically significant reduction in anxiety

Significance for clinical practice

• • Premedication with a combination of melatonin and alprazolam is a multiple promising strategy for reducing preoperative anxiety

• • May provide smoother induction of anesthesia and improve patient experience

• • Reassures clinicians regarding minimal side effects with this combination

• • Provides an alternative premedication protocol for surgical patients

Further studies may confirm the results in larger and more diverse patient samples. There is also potential to explore this combination for the treatment of anxiety in contexts other than preoperative care.

Consider Bestia melatonin capsules for improved anxiety control before surgery

With evidence demonstrating enhanced anxiety reduction through the combination of melatonin and alprazolam prior to surgery, Bestia Melatonin capsules offer an ideal delivery format for harnessing the therapeutic benefits of melatonin.

Bestia Melatonin uses advanced liposomal encapsulation technology to optimize absorption and bioavailability. This innovative delivery system efficiently delivers the highest dose of melatonin to nerve cells.

Bestia Melatonin Capsules promote a healthy sleep cycle, antioxidant action, immune function and stress adaptation – perfectly complementing an anxiolytic premedication protocol. Their potent yet gentle properties make Bestia Melatonin capsules a recommended choice for combating pre-operative anxiety.

Literature:

1. NCBI. Premedication with Oral Alprazolam and Melatonin Combination: A Comparison with Either Alone—A Randomized Controlled Factorial Trial.
2. PubMed. Premedication with oral alprazolam and melatonin combination: a comparison with either alone–a randomized controlled factorial trial.