Sedative effects and cardiorespiratory influences of intravenous flunitrazepam premedication.

Sedative effects and the influence on cardiorespiratory functions of flunitrazepam, 0.015 mg/kg intravenously, were studied in 13 healthy adult volunteers. Immediately after administration, 12 of the 13 subjects responded when their names were called, while one subject required gentle patting on the shoulder to evoke a response. The scores of EEG and electro-oculogram were decreased. Cardiorespiratory changes were mild and not significant clinically. Anterograde amnesia was remarkable. Equilibrium functions were normal at 180 min postdose. Only one subject complained of pain at injection. It was concluded that intravenous injection of 0.015 mg/kg flunitrazepam was an optimal dose for sedation in healthy adults.