Effect of flumazenil on the recovery from intravenous midazolam.

Abstract Psychomotor recovery characteristics were studied in young, healthy patients undergoing intravenous sedation using midazolam for the extraction of third molars. There were significant changes to Choice Reaction Time and Critical Flicker Fusion Threshold noted half an hour after the administration of midazolam (P < 0.001). The administration of the benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil significantly improved the Choice Reaction Times, but failed to reverse changes in Critical Flicker Fusion Threshold up to 120 minutes later. However, the use of flumazenil assured that no post-operative changes in oxygen saturation occurred in any of the patients.