Role of flumazenil in reversing the sedative effect of benzodiazepines in endoscopies: Salmaniya medical centre experience

ABSTRACT

Thirty seven patients undergoing endoscopic procedures were sedated with either midazolam 0.15mg-0.2mg/kg or diazepam 0.2-0.3 mg/kg intravenously. The sedative effect was reversed in 27 patients with flumazenil [Anexate] 0.2mg initially and then in incremental doses of 0.1mg. The remaining ten patients served as control group by allowing them to recover spontaneously. The efficacy of flumazenil was evaluated by the degree of sedation, comprehension and co-operation, orientation to space and time and re-sedation. The safety of flumazenil was evaluated by local and systemic tolerability. We conclude that flumazenil is a safe and effective benzodiazepine antagonist, and that the recovery of patients given this antagonist is both quick and complete