Abstract | BACKGROUND: The frequency of seizures among acutely poisoned adults who are administered flumazenil has not been well established. STUDY OBJECTIVE: The objectives of the study were: to determine the frequency of seizures among acutely poisoned adults administered flumazenil; to identify factors associated with seizures; and to determine the mental status of subjects before and after administration of flumazenil. METHODS: This study was a historical case series of acutely poisoned adults reported to a poison control system from 1999 to 2008. Included cases were those involving administration of flumazenil to subjects who were ≥ 18 years of age. Both genders were included. Variables collected included: presence of seizure or death, exposure to a pro- convulsant drug, and mental status before and after flumazenil administration. RESULTS: Over the 10-year period studied, 904 cases were identified that met inclusion criteria. Thirteen subjects (1.4%) developed seizures after flumazenil was administered. One death occurred. There were 293 subjects exposed to a pro- convulsant drug, and 8 of these had seizures after flumazenil administration. Development of seizures after flumazenil administration was significantly associated with exposure to a pro- convulsant drug (odds ratio 3.41; 95% confidence interval 1.13-10.72). Mental status before and after flumazenil administration was available for 546 subjects (60.3%). Of these, 291 (53.3%) became awake after administration of flumazenil. CONCLUSIONS:
Flumazenil administration to acutely poisoned adults resulted in a low frequency of seizures and death. Development of seizures was associated with exposure to a pro- convulsant drug. More than half of the subjects for whom mental status was recorded became awake after receiving flumazenil.
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Authors | Allyson A Kreshak, F Lee Cantrell, Richard F Clark, Christian A Tomaszewski |
Journal | The Journal of emergency medicine
(J Emerg Med)
Vol. 43
Issue 4
Pg. 677-82
(Oct 2012)
ISSN: 0736-4679 [Print] United States |
PMID | 22766408
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. |
Chemical References |
- Antidotes
- Convulsants
- Hypnotics and Sedatives
- Benzodiazepines
- Flumazenil
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antidotes
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Benzodiazepines
(poisoning)
- California
- Confidence Intervals
- Consciousness
- Convulsants
(poisoning)
- Female
- Flumazenil
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Hypnotics and Sedatives
(poisoning)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Odds Ratio
- Seizures
(chemically induced)
- Time Factors
- Young Adult
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