Flumazenil oral absorption in dogs.

Flumazenil is rapidly absorbed after oral or gastric fistula administration to the dog reaching peak plasma concentrations in about an hour. Plasma level decrease rapidly thereafter reaching barely detectable levels by four hours. The onset of signs of flumazenil precipitated abstinence in diazepam-dependent dogs is well correlated with the rise of flumazenil plasma levels, however, precipitated abstinence seizures occur when plasma levels have markedly decreased. Oral dosing is a more efficient way of administering flumazenil than gastric fistula dosing.