The reversal of midazolam sedation with the benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil (Anexate).

Flumazenil (Anexate) was used to reverse midazolam sedation in a series of 108 patients undergoing minor diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. At a mode dose of 0.5 mg IV, flumazenil was shown to rapidly and predictably reverse the sedation produced by a mode dose of 5 mg midazolam. Amnesia for the procedure was excellent in all but three cases, and side effects were infrequent and minor. In the endoscopy clinic, the use of flumazenil was perceived by clinicians to significantly improve the speed and quality of recovery.