Tuesday September 8, 2009


Q: Flumazenil can be effective in overdose of which drugs beside benzodiazepines?


Answer: Flumazenil is traditionally use as an antidote in patients with benzodiazepines overdose but it has been found to be effective in overdoses of non-benzodiazepine sleep enhancers, namely zolpidem (ambien) and zaleplon (sonata).

Flumazenil reverses the effects of benzodiazepines by competitive inhibition at the benzodiazepine binding site on the GABA-a receptor.

Also, it has also been used in hepatic encephalopathy.