The effect of chlordiazepoxide and pethidine, alone and in combination, on the respiratory response to carbon dioxide.

SUMMARY The respiratory effects following the intravenous administration of chlordiazepoxide (1 mg/kg) and pethidine (0.5 mg/kg), both alone and as a mixture, were studied by means of carbon dioxide stimulus-response curves. Eight healthy adult volunteers demonstrated no statistically significant respiratory depression after receiving chlordiazepoxide. Pethidine alone caused depression for 2 hours, and in combination with chlordiazepoxide the duration was prolonged to 4 hours (the duration of the study period).