Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
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Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. · May 2000
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialPhysostigmine reversal of midazolam-induced electroencephalographic changes in healthy subjects.
Midazolam is a water-soluble benzodiazepine. Flumazenil is a potent antagonist of midazolam-induced sedation. Physostigmine has also been shown to reverse benzodiazepine sedation in anecdotal reports. The aim of this study was to quantitatively characterize the reversal of midazolam-induced changes in electroencephalogram (EEG) by physostigmine compared to flumazenil and placebo. ⋯ Physostigmine and flumazenil antagonized midazolam-induced sedation. This suggests that a reversible central anticholinergic mechanism may be involved in the sedative action of midazolam.