[Clinical pharmacology and therapeutic uses of the specific benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil].

The specific benzodiazepine (BZD) antagonist flumazenil is indicated when the CNS-depressant effects of a BZD must be quickly attenuated or terminated. Following the i.v.-injection of flumazenil the reliable antagonistic action can be observed within 0.5 to 2 minutes. Due to its rapid hepatic elimination (t1/2 approximately 0.8-1.2 h; systemic clearance approximately 700-1,200 ml/min) with a single dose of 0.2 to 1 mg, the desired level of consciousness is attained for only about 2 hours. Flumazenil is well tolerated, and whether its weak intrinsic effects are of some clinical relevance remains to be elucidated.