The effect of fentanyl 3 mcg/kg, using as an adjunct to thiopentone induction on the circulatory responses to tracheal intubation was studied in 20 normotensive, surgical patients. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either normal saline (group 1, n = 10) or fentanyl 3 mcg/kg (group 2, n = 10) 3 minutes before induction. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded at baseline, before laryngoscopy, immediately after intubation and every 1 minute up to 3 mimutes. Following intubation, blood pressure significantly increased from baseline in group 1, whereas only systolic blood pressure did in group 2 immediately after intubation. There was also significant difference in blood pressure response between the to groups. In group 1, heart rate significantly increased from baseline 1 and was significantly greater than that in group 2 at 1 and 2 minutes after intubation. During recovery, no significant respiratory depression was observed in both groups. We conclude that fentanyl 3 mcg/kg can attenuate circulatory responses to tracheal intubation when used as an adjunct to thiopentone induction with no early postoperative respiratory depression.