Benzodiazepine overdose

• Which neurotransmitter is enhanced by benzodiazepines?

  Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
• What are the effects of benzodiazepines normally?

  Sedative, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant.
• Give 6 clinical features of benzodiazepine overdose?

  Reduced level of consciousness

  Respiratory depression

  Hypotension

  Bradycardia

  Rhabdomyolysis

  Hypothermia
• Are the pupils pin-point or dilated in benzodiazepine overdose?

  Dilated
• What is the antidote to benzodiazepines?

  Flumazenil
• What is flumazenil?

  A GABA receptor antagonist
• What are the 3 circumstances where you can use flumazenil in BDZ overdose?

  1. CNS depression is severe enough that patients are requiring ventilation
  2. Confident that benzodiazepines have been taken
  3. Patient is not known to be dependent on benzodiazepines