Flumazenil, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: benzodiazepine receptor antagonist; antidote

Generic and brand names: flumazenil, injection; Romazicon

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shots). It reverses sedative (drowsiness) effects after surgery or an overdose of certain kinds of drugs.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• liver disease
• panic attacks
• problems with drug or alcohol dependence, including long time use of benzodiazepines
• seizures
• severe head or brain injury

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by a healthcare provider. It should only be given in a clinic or hospital where you can be monitored closely for side effects such as seizures.

What should I watch out for?

Even after you receive this medicine you may still be drowsy or not able to think clearly. Do not drive or operate machinery for at least 18 to 24 hours after you receive this medicine. Contact your healthcare provider if your drowsiness does not improve or if it gets worse within 2 hours of receiving this medicine.

Do not drink any alcohol or take nonprescription drugs without your healthcare provider's approval for at least 18 to 24 hours after the injections.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Seizures, chest pain, irregular or fast heartbeat.

Other: Nausea, vomiting, headache, pain where injection was given, sweating, flushing, headache, dizziness, dry mouth, anxiety, blurred vision, trouble sleeping, depression.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antidepressants such as amitriptyline, doxepin (Sinequan, Zonalon, Prudoxin), and nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor)
• medicines for sleeping or anxiety such as eszopiclone (Lunesta), zolpidem (Ambien), zaleplon (Sonata), chloral hydrate, diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), triazolam (Halcion), temazepam (Restoril), and flurazepam (Dalmane)
• nalmefene (Revex)

Do not drink alcohol for at least 18 to 24 hours after receiving this medicine.

Do not take any nonprescription medicines for at least 24 hours after receiving this medicine. Ask your healthcare provider about this.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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Published by RelayHealth.
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