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.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 06, 2012
Accepted:
January 16,
2012
Received in revised form:
August 16,
2011
Received:
May 12,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
