Resuscitation and supportive treatment will be needed. Self-harm in over 8s: short-term management and prevention of recurrence. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. If an intentional overdose is suspected or confirmed, establish the person’s mental and emotional state at the earliest opportunity and request a full mental health assessment. In practice, there is a high likelihood that a patient presenting to the emergency department with a benzodiazepine overdose will have known or possible contraindications that will rule out use of flumazenil. Benzodiazepines - features and management. įlumazenil should only ever be considered in a patient with pure benzodiazepine poisoning who has no contraindications and who would otherwise need mechanical ventilation.

įor most patients, the risks of flumazenil outweigh its benefits never use it without specialist input from a clinician who has specific training in its administration for acute benzodiazepine overdose. Most patients present with mild central nervous system (CNS) depression and require only close observation. It can occur in the case of a large overdose or when there is co-ingestion of other respiratory depressants (e.g., opioid, alcohol). īe alert to the possibility of respiratory arrest. Perform an Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure (ABCDE) assessment and re-assess the patient regularly throughout treatment.

Antidote diazepam overdose