Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Flumazenil may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
FOR Flumazenil is a counteragent (antidote) for the complete or partial reversal of the central sedative effects of benzodiazepines (specific group with sedative, sleep inducing, muscle relaxing and anxiolytic properties). It may therefore be used in anaesthesia to wake you up after certain diagnostic tests or in intensive care if you have been held under sedative conditions. Flumazenil may also be used for the diagnosis and treatment of intoxications or overdose with benzodiazepines. Flumazenil may also be used in children (older than 1 year) to wake them up after they have been held under sedative conditions with benzodiazepines.
FLUMAZENIL Flumazenil will be given to you by a specially trained doctor under strict supervision. You must NOT be given Flumazenil if you are:
Children should only receive Flumazenil after deliberate sedation. There are insufficient data for any other indications. The same applies for children below the age of 1 year Other medicines and Flumazenil Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This information is needed so that your anaesthetist can adjust your dose carefully. In particular please tell your doctor or nurse if you are taking any of the following medicines:
Flumazenil is administered in the vein (intravenously) either diluted or undiluted. Flumazenil will be given to you under strict supervision of a doctor with experience in anaesthesia. The doctor will determine how much Flumazenil to give. This depends on your age, weight, how well your liver and kidneys are working and what you need the medicine for. Flumazenil can be used in combination with other agents, which are used to return somebody to consciousness. Adults The dosage depends on the situation; usually, an initial dose of 200 micrograms is administered into your vein over 15 seconds. If your state of consciousness does not improve sufficiently after 60 seconds, another dose of 100 micrograms can be administered. This can repeated after 60 seconds until you reach a sufficient state of consciousness. The maximum dose that can be administered is 1000 micrograms after anaesthesia and 2000 micrograms in intensive care. The treatment is discontinued every 6 hours in order to determine if sedation re-occurs. Children older than 1 year Usually, an initial dose of 10 micrograms per kilogram body weight (up to 200 micrograms) is administered into a vein over 15 seconds. If the state of consciousness does not improve sufficiently after 45 seconds, another dose of 10 micrograms per kilogram body weight (up to 200 micrograms) can be administered. This can be repeated after 60 seconds up to four times to a maximum total dose of 50 micrograms per kilogram body weight or 1000 micrograms, whichever is lower.
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The following information is intended for medical or healthcare professionals only: PREPARATION GUIDE FOR:
Flumazenil 100 micrograms/ml solution for injection/infusion Please refer to Summary of Product Characteristics for full prescribing and other information. 1. Incompatibilities This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except for following: Sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution, dextrose 50 mg/ml (5%) solution or sodium chloride 4.5 mg/ml (0.45%) + dextrose 25 mg/ml (2.5%) solution (10, 20, 50 ml Flumazenil 100 micrograms/ml in 500 ml solution). Compatibility between flumazenil and other solutions for injection has not been established. Chemical and physical in-use stability has been demonstrated for 24 hours at 25°C. From a microbiological point of view, the product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2 to 8°C, unless dilution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions. 2. Posology and method of administration This medicinal product is for single use only and any unused solution should be discarded. When flumazenil is to be used in infusion, it must be diluted prior to infusion.
Posology Adults Anaesthesia The recommended starting dose is 200 micrograms administered intravenously over 15 seconds. If the required level of consciousness is not obtained within 60 seconds, a further dose of 100 micrograms can be injected and repeated at 60-second intervals, up to a maximum dose of 1000 micrograms. The usual dose is 300 to 600 micrograms, but may deviate depending on the patient's characteristics and the benzodiazepine used. Intensive Care The recommended starting dose is 300 micrograms administered intravenously. If the required level of consciousness is not obtained within 60 seconds, a further dose of 100 micrograms can be injected and repeated at 60-second intervals, up to a total dose of 2000 micrograms or until the patient awakes. If drowsiness recurs, a second bolus injection of flumazenil may be administered. An intravenous infusion of 100 – 400 micrograms/hour may be useful.
There is little information about the use of Flumazenil in children under 1 year of age. Your doctor will decide if it is necessary to give Flumazenil to your child of this age. Elderly Elderly people are generally more sensitive to the effects of Flumazenil and should be treated with due caution. Patients with liver impairment If you have liver problems your doctor may give you a reduced dose. If you have any further questions on how this product will be given, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, Flumazenil can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If any of the side effects become serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist. If you experience any of the following tell the doctor or nurse immediately. Flumazenil may cause allergic reactions. Symptoms of allergic reactions include, swelling of the face, lips throat or tongue, rash and difficulty breathing. The following side effects have been reported: Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
FLUMAZENIL
THE
PACK
AND
OTHER
What Flumazenil contains The active substance is flumazenil. 1 ml solution for injection/infusion contains 100 micrograms flumazenil. 1 ampoule with 5 ml solution contains 500 micrograms flumazenil. 1 ampoule with 10 ml solution contains 1000 micrograms flumazenil. The other ingredients are disodium edetate, glacial acetic acid, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide and water for injections. What Flumazenil looks like and contents of the pack Flumazenil is a clear and colourless solution in glass ampoules. Boxes of 5 or 10 ampoules with 5 ml. Boxes of 5 or 10 ampoules with 10 ml. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Marketing Authorisation Holder hameln pharma ltd Nexus, Gloucester Business Park Gloucester, GL3 4AG, United Kingdom Marketing Authorisation Number PL 01502/0128 Manufacturer Siegfried Hameln GmbH Langes Feld 13 31789 Hameln Germany hameln rds s.r.o. Horná 36 90001 Modra Slovak Republic This medicinal product is authorised in the Member States of the EEA under the following names: DE Flumazenil-hameln 0,1 mg/ml Injektions-/ Infusionslösung DK Flumazenil hameln FI Flumazenil hameln 0,1 mg/ml injektio-/ infuusioneste, liuos IT Flumazenil hameln 0,1 mg/ml soluzione iniettabile o per infusione NL Flumazenil hameln 0,1 mg/ml, oplossing voor injectie / infusie NO Flumazenil hameln 0,1 mg/ml injeksjons-/ infusjonsvæske, oppløsning SE Flumazenil hameln This leaflet was last revised in August 2025. 45847/42/25
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The dosage and rate of infusion should be adjusted individually to achieve the desired level of consciousness. If a significant improvement in consciousness or respiratory function is not obtained after repeated doses of flumazenil, a non-benzodiazepine aetiology must be assumed. Infusion should be discontinued every 6 hours to verify whether re-sedation occurs. To avoid withdrawal symptoms in patients treated for a long period of time with high doses of benzodiazepines in the intensive care unit, the dosage of flumazenil has to be titrated individually and the injection has to be administered slowly. Special Populations Elderly In the absence of data on the use of flumazenil in elderly patients, it should be noted that this population is generally more sensitive to the effects of medicinal products and should be treated with due caution. Patients with renal or hepatic impairment Since flumazenil is primarily metabolised in the liver, careful titration of dosage is recommended in patients with impaired hepatic function. No dosage adjustments are required in patients with renal impairment. Paediatric population Children above 1 year of age For the reversal of conscious sedation induced with benzodiazepines in children above 1 year of age, the
recommended initial dose is 10 micrograms/kg (up to 200 micrograms), administered intravenously over 15 seconds. If the desired level of consciousness is not obtained after waiting an additional 45 seconds, further injection of 10 micrograms/kg may be administered (up to 200 micrograms) and repeated at 60 second intervals where necessary (a maximum of 4 times) to a maximum total dose of 50 micrograms/kg or 1000 micrograms, whichever is lower. The dose should be individualised to the patient's response. No data are available on the safety and efficacy of repeated administration of flumazenil to children for re-sedation. Children under the age of 1 year There are insufficient data on the use of flumazenil in children younger than 1 year. Therefore flumazenil should only be administered in children younger than 1 year if the potential benefits to the patient outweigh the possible risk. Method of administration Flumazenil must be administered intravenously by an anesthetist or a doctor with experience in anesthesiology. Flumazenil may be administered as an infusion – for instructions on dilution of the medicinal product before administration, see section 1. Flumazenil may be used concomitantly with other resuscitative measures.
Flumazenil 100 micrograms/ml solution for injection/infusion comes as injection containing 100micrograms/ml. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Flumazenil 100 micrograms/ml solution for injection/infusion is flumazenil.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Flumazenil 100 micrograms/ml solution for injection/infusion, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Flumazenil is indicated for the complete or partial reversal of the central sedative effects of benzodiazepines. It may therefore be used in anaesthesia and in the intensive care in the following situations:
In anaesthesia
- Termination of hypnosedative effects in general anaesthesia induced and/or maintained with benzodiazepines in hospitalised patients.
- Reversal of benzodiazepine sedation in short-term diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in ambulatory patients and hospitalised patients.
- For the reversal of conscious sedation induced with benzodiazepines in children > 1 year of age.
In intensive care situations
- For the specific reversal of the central effects of benzodiazepines, in order to restore spontaneous respiration.
- For diagnosis and treatment of intoxications or overdose with only or mainly benzodiazepines (see section 4.4).
Posology
Adults
Anaesthesia
The recommended starting dose is 200 micrograms administered intravenously over 15 seconds. If the required level of consciousness is not obtained within 60 seconds, a further dose of 100 micrograms can be injected and repeated at 60-second intervals, up to a maximum dose of 1000 micrograms. The usual dose is 300 to 600 micrograms, but may deviate depending on the patient's characteristics and the benzodiazepine used.
Intensive Care
The recommended starting dose is 300 micrograms administered intravenously. If the required level of consciousness is not obtained within 60 seconds, a further dose of 100 micrograms can be injected and repeated at 60-second intervals, up to a total dose of 2000 micrograms or until the patient awakes.
If drowsiness recurs, a second bolus injection of flumazenil may be administered. An intravenous infusion of 100 – 400 micrograms/hour may be useful.
The dosage and rate of infusion should be adjusted individually to achieve the desired level of consciousness.
If a significant improvement in consciousness or respiratory function is not obtained after repeated doses of flumazenil, a non-benzodiazepine aetiology must be assumed.
Infusion should be discontinued every 6 hours to verify whether re-sedation occurs.
To avoid withdrawal symptoms in patients treated for a long period of time with high doses of benzodiazepines in the intensive care unit, the dosage of flumazenil has to be titrated individually and the injection has to be administered slowly (see section 4.4).
Special Populations
Elderly
In the absence of data on the use of flumazenil in elderly patients, it should be noted that this population is generally more sensitive to the effects of medicinal products and should be treated with due caution.
Patients with renal or hepatic impairment
Since flumazenil is primarily metabolised in the liver, careful titration of dosage is recommended in patients with impaired hepatic function. No dosage adjustments are required in patients with renal impairment.
Paediatric population
Children above 1 year of age
For the reversal of conscious sedation induced with benzodiazepines in children above 1 year of age, the recommended initial dose is 10 micrograms/kg (up to 200 micrograms) administered intravenously over 15 seconds. If the desired level of consciousness is not obtained after waiting an additional 45 seconds, further injection of 10 micrograms/kg may be administered (up to 200 micrograms) and repeated at 60 second intervals where necessary (a maximum of 4 times) to a maximum total dose of 50 micrograms/kg or 1000 micrograms, whichever is lower. The dose should be individualised based on the patient's response. No data are available on the safety and efficacy of repeated administration of flumazenil to children for re-sedation.
Children under the age of 1 year
There are insufficient data on the use of flumazenil in children younger than 1 year.
Therefore, flumazenil should only be administered in children younger than 1 year if the potential benefits to the patient outweigh the possible risk.
Method of administration
Flumazenil must be administered intravenously by an anesthetist or a doctor with experience in anesthesiology.
Flumazenil may be administered as an infusion – for instructions on dilution of the medicinal product before administration, see section 6.6.
Flumazenil may be used concomitantly with other resuscitative measures.
- Hypersensitivity to flumazenil or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
- Patients receiving benzodiazepines for control of a potentially life-threatening condition (e.g. control of intracranial pressure or status epilepticus).
Use in children for other indications than reversal of conscious sedation is not recommended as no controlled studies are available. Until sufficient data are available, flumazenil should only be administered to children below the age of 1 year if the risks to the patient (especially in the case of accidental overdose) have been weighed up against the benefits of the treatment.
- Elimination may be delayed in patients with hepatic impairment.
- The patient should be monitored for an adequate period of time based on the dose and duration of effect of the benzodiazepine employed (ECG, pulse, oximetry, patient alertness and other vital signs such as heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure).
- The antagonistic effect of flumazenil is specific to benzodiazepines; an effect is therefore not to be expected if the 'non-awakening' is caused by other substances.
- When used in anaesthesiology at the end of surgery, flumazenil should not be given until the effects of peripheral muscle relaxants have been fully reversed.
- As the action of flumazenil is usually shorter than that of benzodiazepines and sedation may possibly recur the patient should remain closely monitored, preferably in the intensive care unit, until the effect of flumazenil has presumably worn off.
- In high-risk patients, the benefits of benzodiazepine-induced sedation should be weighed against the risks of rapid awakening. In patients (e.g. with cardiac problems) maintenance of a certain level of sedation may be preferable to being fully awake.
- Rapid injection of flumazenil should be avoided. In patients with high-dose and/or long-term exposure to benzodiazepines ending at any time within the weeks preceding flumazenil administration, rapid injection of doses equal to or higher than 1000 micrograms has led to withdrawal symptoms, including palpitations, agitation, anxiety, emotional lability as well as mild confusion and sensory distortions.
- In patients suffering from pre-operative anxiety or having a history of chronic or episodic anxiety the dosage of flumazenil should be adjusted carefully.
- After major surgery, postoperative pain must be taken into account and it may be preferable to keep the patient lightly sedated.
- In patients treated for long periods with high doses of benzodiazepines, the advantages of the use of flumazenil should be weighed against the risk of withdrawal symptoms. If withdrawal symptoms occur despite careful dosing individually titrated low doses of benzodiazepines (diazepam or midazolam) should be given by slow intravenous injection.
- Because of the potential for resedation and respiratory depression children previously sedated with midazolam should be monitored at least 2 hours after flumazenil administration. In case of other sedating benzodiazepines, the monitoring time must be adjusted according to their expected duration.
- The use of the antagonist is not recommended in patients with epilepsy, who have been treated with benzodiazepines for a prolonged period of time. Although flumazenil has some intrinsic anti-epileptic effects, the abrupt antagonising effect can cause convulsions in patients with epilepsy.
- In patients with severe brain injury (and/or instable intracranial pressure) receiving flumazenil – to reverse the effects of benzodiazepines – an increased intracranial pressure may develop.
- Particular caution is necessary when using flumazenil in cases of mixed-drug overdose. In particular in the case of an intoxication with benzodiazepines and cyclic antidepressants, certain toxic effects such as convulsions and cardiac arrhythmias, which are caused by these antidepressants but which emerge less readily on concomitant administration with benzodiazepines, are exacerbated on administration of flumazenil.
- Patients who have received Flumazenil for the reversal of benzodiazepine effects should be monitored for resedation, respiratory depression or other residual benzodiazepine effects for an appropriate period based on the dose and duration of effect of the benzodiazepine employed. Because patients with underlying hepatic impairment may experience delayed effects as described above, an extended observation period may be required.
- Flumazenil is not recommended for the treatment of benzodiazepine-dependence or for the treatment of long-term benzodiazepine-abstinence-syndromes.
- Panic attacks have been reported after the use of flumazenil in patients with a history of panic disorder.
- Due to the increased frequency of benzodiazepines tolerance and dependence in patients with alcoholism and other drug dependencies, flumazenil should be used with caution in its population.
Sodium content
This medicinal product contains approximately 3.7 mg sodium per ml of flumazenil solution for injection/infusion.
• Each 5 mL ampoule of the product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg), that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
• Each 10 mL ampoule of the product contains 37 mg sodium, equivalent to 2% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult.
Flumazenil reverses the central effects of benzodiazepines by means of competitive interaction at receptor level: the effects of non-benzodiazepine agonists acting via the benzodiazepine receptor, such as zopiclone, triazolopyridazine and others, are also antagonised by flumazenil. However, flumazenil does not block the effect of medicines that do not operate via this route. Interaction with other central nervous system depressants has not been observed. Particular caution is necessary when using flumazenil in cases of accidental overdose since the toxic effects of other psychotropic medicinal products (especially tricyclic antidepressants) taken concurrently may increase with the subsidence of the benzodiazepine effect.
No change in the pharmacokinetics of flumazenil has been observed in combination with the benzodiazepines midazolam, flunitrazepam and lormetazepam. Flumazenil does not affect the pharmacokinetics of these benzodiazepines.
There is no pharmacokinetic interaction between ethanol and flumazenil.
Emergency use of flumazenil during pregnancy and lactation is not contraindicated.
Pregnancy
Flumazenil should only be used during pregnancy if the possible benefit to the patient outweighs the potential risks for the foetus.
Breast-feeding
It is not known whether flumazenil is excreted in human milk. For this reason, breast-feeding should be interrupted for 24 hours when flumazenil is used during lactation.
Fertility
Although studies in animals have not shown evidence of embryo toxicity or teratogenicity, the possible risk to humans caused by flumazenil during pregnancy has not been determined (see section 5.3).
Patients who have received flumazenil to reverse the effects of benzodiazepine sedation should be warned not to drive, to operate machinery or to engage in other activities demanding physical or mental exertion for at least 24 hours, since the effect of the benzodiazepine may return.
Any side-effects associated with Flumazenil usually subside rapidly without the need for special treatment.
Frequency categories are defined using the following convention:
Very common:
≥1/10
Common:
≥1/100 to <1/10
Uncommon:
≥1/1,000 to <1/100
Rare:
≥1/10, 000 to <1/1,000
Very rare:
<1/10, 000
Not known
(cannot be estimated from the available data)
The adverse events listed below have been reported.
Immune systems disorders
Common:
Allergic reactions
Rare:
Severe hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylaxis)
Psychiatric disorders
Common:
Anxiety*, emotional lability, insomnia, somnolence
Uncommon:
Fear
Unknown:
Withdrawal symptoms, (e.g. agitation, anxiety, emotional lability, confusion, sensory distortions, tachycardia, dizziness, sweating), following rapid injection of doses of 1000 micrograms or more in patients with high-dose and/or long-term exposure to benzodiazepines ending at any time within the weeks preceding flumazenil administration (see section 4.4); panic attacks (in patients with a history of panic reactions); abnormal crying, agitation, aggressive reactions (the side effect profile in children is generally similar to that in adults. When Flumazenil has been used for the reversal of conscious sedation, abnormal crying, agitation and aggressive reactions have been reported).
Nervous system disorders
Common:
Vertigo, headache, agitation*, tremor, dry mouth, hyperventilation, speech disorder, paraesthesia
Uncommon:
Convulsions (in patients suffering epilepsy or severe hepatic insufficiency, mainly after long-term treatment with benzodiazepines or multiple medicinal products abuse, see section 4.4).
Eye disorders
Common:
Diplopia, strabismus, lacrimation increased
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Uncommon:
Abnormal hearing
Cardiac disorders
Common:
Palpitations*
Uncommon:
Tachycardia or bradycardia, extrasystole
Vascular disorders
Common:
Flushing, hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, transient increased blood pressure (on awakening)
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Uncommon:
Dyspnoea, cough, nasal congestion, chest pain
Gastrointestinal disorders
Very common:
Nausea (during anaesthesia)
Common:
Vomiting (during anaesthesia), hiccup
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Common:
Sweating
General disorders and administration site conditions
Common:
Injection site pain
Uncommon:
Shivering
Rare:
Severe hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylaxis)
*: following rapid injection, generally did not require treatment
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
In cases of mixed-drug overdose, particularly with cyclic antidepressants, toxic effects (such as convulsions and cardiac dysrhythmias) may emerge with the reversal of benzodiazepine effects by flumazenil.
There is very limited experience of acute overdose in humans with flumazenil.
There is no specific antidote for overdose with Flumazenil. Treatment should consist of general supportive measures including monitoring of vital signs and observation of the clinical status of the patient.
Even when administered intravenously at doses of 100 mg, no symptoms of overdose attributable to flumazenil have been observed.
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
Ask anything about Flumazenil 100 micrograms/ml solution for injection/infusion. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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