Flumazenil: uma alternativa farmacológica para os efeitos colaterais de Benzodiazepínicos.

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.