Ana,C, B.S.; SOUSA, Ana Cristina Batista de.
Abstract:
Benzodiazepines (BZD) are a class of drugs that act on the
gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system in the Central Nervous System.
These drugs have been used to treat anxiety, insomnia
and as a muscle relaxant. However, they exhibit different side effects that
include drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, incoordination, speech
dragging and disorientation. In addition, they are drugs with a high potential for
abuse that can cause addiction. Flumazenil has been used as a
antidote for BZD overdose and to reverse general anesthesia. Also
has been used effectively to attenuate the symptoms of Down syndrome.
withdrawal caused by BZDs. The present study aims to review the
clinical use of flumazenil in patients using BZD in situations of
detoxification, dependence and post-anesthetic recovery. It is about a
integrative literature review, for which an investigation was carried out in the bases
data from the National Institute of Health (PubMed), Scientific Electronic Library
Online (SciELO), Virtual Health Library (VHL) and Latino-
American and Caribbean Health Sciences (LILACS). Data collection was
carried out between March and April 2023, using the descriptors
“Flumazenil AND Receptors, GABA-A”, with publications from the last ten years
(2013 – 2023). After the search, a total of 267 scientific articles were obtained,
selected eight to compose the scope of this review. It is noted that the studies
have evaluated the occurrence of risks and benefits associated with the use of
flumazenil and BZD. BZDs are essential in clinical practice, despite the events
long-term adverse effects. Flumazenil, in turn, is used as an antidote for
BZD, but the results indicate that its use is associated with a risk
significantly increased adverse events and it is advised that this
medicine should not be used routinely. It is also possible that the
flumazenil has application in the control of BZD abstinence, however
there are few studies and randomized clinical trials are needed to
confirm these results by evaluating effectiveness and safety, and perhaps
revolutionize the way this medicine is used and prescribed.
