Anxiol Overdosage

Symptoms of Overdosage: Impairment of consciousness is fairly rapid in poisoning by benzodiazepines. Deep coma or other manifestations of severe depression of brainstem vital functions are rare; more common is a sleep-like state from which the patient can be temporarily roused by appropriate stimuli. There is usually little or no respiratory depression, and cardiac rate and rhythm remain normal in the absence of anoxia or severe hypotension. Since tolerance to benzodiazepines develop rapidly, consciousness is often regained while concentrations of drug in the blood are higher than those which induced coma. Anxiety and insomnia can occur during recovery from acute overdosage, while a full-blown withdrawal syndrome, possibly with major convulsions, can occur in patients who have previously been chronic users.
Treatment for Overdosage: The treatment of benzodiazepine overdosage is generally symptomatic and supportive. The specific benzodiazepine antagonist is flumazenil; if used, expert advice is essential since serious adverse effects may occur in patients dependent on benzodiazepines. It should be used with extreme caution, if at all, in multiple drug overdoses or for the differential diagnosis of unclear cases of overdose.