Q: Flumazenil can be an effective antidote for which other drugs besides benzodiazepines?
Answer: Flumazenil is traditionally used as an antidote in patients with benzodiazepine overdose, but it is effective in overdoses of non-benzodiazepine sleep enhancers, namely zolpidem (Ambien) and zaleplon (Sonata) -popularly known as "Z" drugs.
Flumazenil reverses the effects of benzodiazepines by competitive inhibition at the benzodiazepine binding site on the GABA-a receptor.
Additionally, it has been used in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.
#toxicity
#pharmacology
References:
1. Patat A, Naef MM, van Gessel E, Forster A, Dubruc C, Rosenzweig P. Flumazenil antagonizes the central effects of zolpidem, an imidazopyridine hypnotic. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1994 Oct;56(4):430-6. doi: 10.1038/clpt.1994.157. PMID: 7955804.
2. An H, Godwin J. Flumazenil in benzodiazepine overdose. CMAJ. 2016 Dec 6;188(17-18):E537. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.160357. Epub 2016 Nov 14. PMID: 27920113; PMCID: PMC5135539.
No comments:
Post a Comment