Resurge

Anexate is indicated for reversal of the centrally sedative effects of benzodiazepines. It should therefore be used in anaesthesia and intensive care in the following indications:

In anaesthesia–

• Termination of general anaesthesia induced and maintained with benzodiazepines in inpatients.
• Reversal of benzodiazepine sedation in short diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in both inpatients and outpatients.
• Reversal of paradoxical reactions due to benzodiazepines.

In intensive care and in the management of unconsciousness of unknown origin–

• For the diagnosis and/or management of benzodiazepine overdose due to self-poisoning or accidental overdose.
• As a diagnostic measure in unconsciousness of unknown origin to differentiate between involvement of benzodiazepines, other medicines or drugs or brain damage.
• Anexate may also be used for specific reversal of the central effects of benzodiazepines in drug or medicine overdose (return to spontaneous respiration and consciousness in order to render intubation unnecessary or allow extubation)

Interaction with other medicines and other forms of interaction: Flumazenil blocks the central effects of benzodiazepines by competitive interaction at the receptor level. The effects of non-benzodiazepine agonists at benzodiazepine receptors, such as zopiclone, triazolopyridazines and others, are also blocked by Flumazenil. The pharmacokinetics of benzodiazepine agonists are unaltered in the presence of Anexate and vice versa. There is no pharmacokinetic interaction between ethanol and flumazenil.

Flumazenil is well tolerated in adults and children. In adults, Flumazenil is well tolerated even at doses exceeding those recommended. Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been observed. Complaints such as feelings of anxiety, palpitations and fear have been infrequently observed after rapid injection of Flumazenil. These adverse effects usually do not necessitate special treatment. Seizures have been reported in patients known to suffer from epilepsy or severe hepatic impairment, particularly after long-term treatment with benzodiazepines or in cases of mixed- substance overdose. In cases of mixed-substance overdose, particularly with cyclic antidepressants, toxic effects (such as convulsions and cardiac dysrhythmias) may emerge with the reversal of benzodiazepine effects by Flumazenil. Withdrawal symptoms may occur following rapid injection of Flumazenil in patients with long-term exposure to benzodiazepines ending at any time within the weeks preceding Flumazenil administration. Flumazenil has been reported to provoke panic attacks in patients with a history of panic disorders.

Although in-vitro and animal studies using high doses of Flumazenil have not shown evidence of mutagenicity, teratogenicity or impairment of fertility, the safety of Flumazenil in human pregnancy has not been established. Therefore, the benefits of medication during pregnancy should be weighed against possible risks to the foetus. Parenteral administration of Flumazenil in emergencies is not contraindicated during lactation. Animal studies using high doses of Flumazenil have not shown evidence of impairment of fertility.

Particular caution is necessary when using Flumazenil in cases of mixed-substance overdose since the toxic effects (such as convulsions and cardiac dysrhythmias) of other medicines taken in overdose (especially cyclic antidepressants) may emerge with the reversal of benzodiazepine effects by Flumazenil.

The use of Flumazenil is not recommended in epileptic patients who have been receiving benzodiazepine treatment for a prolonged period. Although Flumazenil exerts a slight intrinsic anticonvulsant effect, its abrupt suppression of the protective effect of a benzodiazepine agonist can give rise to convulsions in epileptic patients.

Patients who have received Flumazenil for the reversal of benzodiazepine effects should be monitored for resedation, respiratory depression or other residual benzodiazepine effects for an appropriate period based on the dose and duration of effect of the benzodiazepine employed. As patients with underlying hepatic impairment may experience delayed benzodiazepine effects, an extended observation period may be required.

When Flumazenil is used with neuromuscular-blocking agents, it should not be injected until the effects of neuromuscular blockade have been fully reversed.

Flumazenil should be used with caution in patients with head injury as it may be capable of precipitating convulsions or altering cerebral blood flow in patients receiving benzodiazepines.

Rapid injection of Flumazenil should be avoided in patients with high dose and/or long-term exposure to benzodiazepines ending at any time within the weeks preceding Flumazenil administration as it may produce withdrawal symptoms, including agitation, anxiety, emotional lability as well as mild confusion and sensory distortions.

Flumazenil is not recommended either as a treatment for benzodiazepine dependence or for the management of protracted benzodiazepine abstinence syndromes.

Flumazenil should be used with caution for the reversal of conscious sedation in children below the age of one year, for the management of overdose in children, for resuscitation of the newborn and for reversal of the sedative effects of benzodiazepines used for induction of general anaesthesia in children, as experience is limited.