Effect of oral gabapentin on the intraocular pressure and haemodynamic responses induced by tracheal intubation

Background: Laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation may cause undesirable increases in blood pressure, heart rate (HR) and intraocular pressure (IOP). Gabapentin has been used effectively to attenuate the pressor response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. We investigated whether the pre‐treatment with gabapentin attenuates the IOP in addition to a haemodynamic response to tracheal intubation. Methods: Sixty ASA I–II patients were randomly allocated into two groups who received either gabapentin (800 mg) or placebo 2 h before surgery. IOP, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and HR were measured before and after the induction of anaesthesia as well as at 0, 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 min following intubation. Results: IOP and MAP increased from baseline immediately after intubation in the placebo group (P=0.001 and 0.002, respectively). When compared with the placebo group, IOP values of the gabapentin group were significantly lower for the first 15 min after tracheal intubation (P=0.002 at 0 min, P=0.006 at 1 min, P