Benzodiazepines have sedative and anxiolytic properties and are commonly given as premedication.
They can be used as co-induction agents.
They can cause respiratory depression and will potentiate the central nervous system depressant effects of anaesthetic and analgesic drugs.
Certain groups of patients, such as the elderly, are more sensitive to benzodiazepines and, as a consequence, are more likely to develop side effects.
Flumazenil is a benzodiazepine antagonist, used as an antidote in the treatment of benzodiazepine overdose.
The recommended initial dose of flumazenil is 200 µ g given intravenously. If this fails to have the desired effect, administer flumazenil in increments of 100 µ g up to a limit of 1 mg.
Caution:
All
benzodiazepines have a longer half-life than flumazenil. Therefore,
repeat doses of flumazenil may be required to prevent recurrent symptoms
of overdosage.