Benzodiazepine intoxication

Benzodiazepines are drugs having hypnotic, sedative, myorelaxant and anticonvulsant effects.

The most frequently used substances include: Benzodiazepines increase the action of GABA' on receptors, reduce spinal reflexess and inhibit ARAS. Their toxicity is not very high - they have a large therapeutic range' (twenty times the dose will cause moderate toxic effects).
 * diazepam',
 * bromazepam' (Lexaurin&reg;),
 * alprazolam' (Neurol&reg;),
 * flunitrazepam' (Rohypnol&reg;).

Clinical picture
After 30-120 minutes, somnolence, ataxia, hypotension, coma and even respiratory arrest and death occur.

Therapy

 * Repeated doses of black coal, within 1 hour after ingestion gastric lavage, symptomatic and supportive therapy.
 * Specific antagonist – flumazenil' (in coma 0.2 mg i.v.; can be repeated up to a maximum dose of 3.0 mg).

Links

 * Benzodiazepines
 * Benzodiazepines (pediatrics)
 * Psychopharmaceuticals