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Management of Pediatric Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office
Benzodiazepine Overdose

Course Author(s): Steven Schwartz, DDS

Benzodiazepine Overdose

The two most common benzodiazepine used in dentistry are midazolam (Versed) and diazepam (Valium). Midazolam is used most commonly in pediatric dentistry as a sedative/anxiolytic agent. It provides anxiolysis, sedation, hypnosis, skeletal muscle relaxation, anterograde amnesia, respiratory depression and an anticonvulsant effect but has no analgesic properties. It has a wide margin of safety between the therapeutic and toxic doses and has a rapid onset of action. Its administration is usually combined with nitrous oxide/oxygen to enhance the above effects and provide analgesia. It is usually given orally, as syrup, at a dosage of 0.25 mg/kg-1.0mg mg/kg, depending on age and anxiety level of the patient, with an onset of sedation in 20-30 minutes. The intranasal dosage is 0.25mg/kg with an onset of sedation in 10 to 15 minutes. The time available for treatment will vary from 20 minutes to 40 minutes.

The signs and symptoms of benzodiazepine overdose are:

  • Somnolence
  • Confusion
  • Diminished reflexes
  • Respiratory depression
  • Apnea
  • Respiratory arrest
  • Cardiac arrest

The treatment for benzodiazepine overdose is:

  1. Discontinue dental treatment
  2. Call for assistance; someone to bring oxygen and emergency kit
  3. Position the patient to ensure an open and unobstructed airway
  4. Assess and support airway, breathing and circulation (CPR if warranted)
  5. Administer oxygen
  6. Monitor vital signs
  7. If there is severe respiratory depression, establish intravenous (IV) access and reverse with flumazenil (Romazicon). If IV access is not available the flumazenil may be administered intramuscularly (IM). The dosage of flumazenil is 0.01 mg/kg with maximum dose is 0.2 mg. It may be repeated at 1minute intervals, not to exceed a cumulative dose of 0.05 mg/kg or 1 mg, whichever is lower.
  8. Monitor recovery for at least 2 hours after the last dose of flumazenil and call for emergency medical services with transportation for advanced care if indicated.
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