Reversing intravenous sedation with flumazenil

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of flumazenil in reversing sedation from midazolam and meperidine after oral surgical procedures. Of the 35 patients entered, efficacy was evaluated in 33 and safety in 34. Patients were tested for sedation, psychomotor skills, and memory during a 3-hour period and at a 24-hour follow-up. Flumazenil almost totally reversed the effects of sedation for approximately 2 hours, after which some loss of effect was observed. A number of central nervous system-related side effects were observed in the flumazenil group, but none of these was considered serious. One patient in the flumazenil group had an episode of hypotension that precluded further testing.