Flumazenil is an injectable drug widely used in the hospital to reverse the effect of benzodiazepines, which are a group of sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant drugs.
Thus, flumazenil is widely used after anesthetics to wake patients or in case of intoxication with overuse of drugs, for example.
This drug can be found in generic form, but it is also produced by Roche laboratories under the trade name Lanexat. However, it can only be used in hospitals, not being sold in conventional pharmacies.
Other trade names
In addition to Lanexat, flumazenil is also produced by other laboratories and may be sold under other trade names, such as Flumazen, Flunexil, Lenazen or Flumazil.
How it works
Flumazenil is a substance that binds to benzodiazepine receptors, preventing other drugs, such as sedatives and anxiolytics, from binding. In this way, the other medicines no longer have an effect, since they need to bind to these receptors to function.
Thus, flumazenil is able to prevent the effect of benzodiazepine medicines without affecting the effect of other drugs that are not of that group.
What is it for
Flumazenil is indicated to stop the effect of benzodiazepine medicines in the body and is therefore widely used to stop the effect of general anesthesia or to treat intoxication caused by high doses of benzodiazepines.
How to use
Flumazenil should only be used by healthcare professionals in the hospital, and the dose should always be indicated by a doctor, according to the problem to be treated and the symptoms presented.
Possible side effects
Some of the most common side effects of flumazenil include nausea, vomiting, palpitations, anxiety, and fear.
Who should not use
This medication is contraindicated for people who are allergic to any of the ingredients of the formula or to patients who treat potentially fatal benzodiazepine diseases.
