Flumazenil

• Flumazenil

• Anexate

Classification:

• Benzodiazepine antagonist

Mechanism of Action:

• Competitively inhibits the activity at the benzodiazepine recognition site on the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor complex
• Does not antagonize all of the CNS effects of drugs affecting GABA (including ethanol, barbiturates, or general anesthetics) and does not reverse the effects of opioids

Indications:

• Complete or partial reversal of sedative effects of benzodiazepines
• Management of benzodiazepine overdose

Contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity
• Patients prescribed benzodiazepines for control of life threatening conditions (status epilepticus)
• Patients showing signs of serious TCA OD

Precautions:

• May cause withdrawal symptoms in individuals who have a physical dependence to benzodiazepines
• Head injury
• Do not use until NTM have been reversed
• May provoke panic attacks

Adverse Effects:

• Dizziness, weakness, fatigue
• Hyperventilation
• Blurred vision
• Pain at injection site

Dose:

• 0.5 mg, repeating 0.5 mg every minute to a max of 3 mg

• 0.01 mg/kg (max 0.2 mg/dose)

• IV

• Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (CPS)