Emergency department use of flumazenil prior to poison center consultation

We studied the frequency of use of flumazenil by emergency departments in our region and compared it to recommendations made by specialists in poison information at our poison control center. For a 5-mo period, we prospectively collected cases involving benzodiazepines or zolpidem. Data was document...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Veterinary and human toxicology Vol. 39; no. 4; p. 245
Main Authors: Burda, T, Leikin, J B, Fischbein, C, Woods, K, Aks, S
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States 01-08-1997
Subjects:
Online Access:Get more information
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We studied the frequency of use of flumazenil by emergency departments in our region and compared it to recommendations made by specialists in poison information at our poison control center. For a 5-mo period, we prospectively collected cases involving benzodiazepines or zolpidem. Data was documented only from calls from emergency departments. Emergency department personnel were asked the following: If given, the dose and frequency, contraindications, and adverse reactions. Each case was followed to completion. Flumazenil was not given in 55 cases. Of the remaining 14 cases in which it was given, 10 of the cases received flumazenil prior to poison control center consultation. We noted 1 case of dizziness. Ten cases given flumazenil had contraindications (eg ethanol abuse or possible seizurogenic coingestants). Despite possible contraindications, flumazenil was given 10/14 times (71%) prior to calling the poison control center. These results point to potential overuse of this antidote where contraindications or cautions are suspected in the overdosed patients. Our study suggests that when flumazenil use is contemplated by an emergency department physician, a poison control center consult may have a contrary recommendation.
ISSN:0145-6296