Flumazenil
Flumazenil is used in veterinary medicine for benzodiazepine reversal.
Benzodiazepine antagonist
Competitively reverses benzodiazepine effects at the GABA-A receptor complex.
Dog
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|
| Benzodiazepine reversal | 0.02 mg/kg | IV | | |
| Benzodiazepine reversal | 0.2 mg/animal | IV | As needed | Alternative fixed regimen in the source. |
| Hepatic encephalopathy adjunct | 0.02 mg/kg | IV | | May repeat if a neurologic response is demonstrated; duration of antagonism can be short. |
Cat
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|
| Benzodiazepine reversal | 0.02 mg/kg | IV | | |
| Benzodiazepine reversal | 0.2 mg/animal | IV | As needed | Alternative fixed regimen in the source. |
Horse
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|
| Benzodiazepine reversal | 0.02 mg/kg | IV | | |
Cattle
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|
| Benzodiazepine reversal | 0.02 mg/kg | IV | | |
Pig
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|
| Benzodiazepine reversal | 0.02 mg/kg | IV | | |
Sheep
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|
| Benzodiazepine reversal | 0.02 mg/kg | IV | | |
- Use cautiously with seizure disorders or mixed poisoning involving proconvulsants.
- Tricyclic antidepressants and other seizure-threshold-lowering drugs increase risk.
- Seizures may be precipitated in susceptible patients.
| Preparation | Form | Strength | Route |
|---|
| Flumazenil injection 0.1 mg/mL | Injection | 0.1 mg / mL | IV |
Monitor consciousness, respiration and recurrence of sedation. Oral delivery is ineffective because of first-pass metabolism.
