Preoperative Oral Passiflora Incarnata Reduces Coughing Following Extubation: A Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

Background: The incidence of coughing following extubation can result in a number of undesirable side effects. Therefore, the development of antitussive premedication may be desirable. Methods: In this study, 138 patients were randomized into two groups to receive either oral Passiflora incarnata (500 mg, PassipyTM IranDarouk) (n = 69) or placebo (n = 69) as premedication, 120 min before surgery. After extubation, all patients were observed to record the incidence of coughing during a 15 minute period. Hemodynamic variables were recorded before induction of anesthesia, 1 minute following intubation, and 5 minutes after extubation. The demographic characteristics of patients, ASA physical status, duration of surgery, hemodynamic variables were similar in the two groups. The incidence of cough following extubation was significantly lower in the passiflora group compared to the control group (P 0.001). In outpatient surgery, administration of oral Passiflora incarnata as a premedication reduces incidence of coughing following extubation.