Randomization
The WINPEPI version 11.65 software (75) was used to generate the table of random numbers.
The table of random numbers was developed and kept with the research unit of the pharmacy
department, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, where the study drugs were kept and dispensed for use once patients were recruited for the study. The randomization code was only made available to the principal investigator after completion of the trial for data analysis.
Patients that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled by the team on call or managing team as they presented to the hospital. After obtaining a written consent, the participants were requested to pick one of the brown envelopes which contained the randomization number. A
proforma was then filled for the participants indicating the randomization number. The randomization number was taken to the pharmacy unit by the attending staff where the drugs were dispensed for administration to the participants.