Anexate

Question 1

state the class/family of drugs to which the reversal agent Anexate belongs to

Answer 1

Benzodiazepines

Question 2

is Anexate a trade or generic name

Answer 2

trade

Question 3

what other name is Anexate known as

Answer 3

Flumazenil

Question 4

is this a trade or generic name

Answer 4

generic

Question 5

state the half life of Anexate

Answer 5

50 minutes

Question 6

what is meant by an immunobenzodiazepine

Answer 6

reverses the effects of a benzodiazepine. it is an antidote

Question 7

what schedule of controlled drugs is Anexate classified as

Answer 7

POM

Question 8

state the presentation of Anexate is available in

Answer 8

1. 500mcgs in 5mls

2. 0,5mg in 5mls

Question 9

what colour is Anexate

Answer 9

clear

Question 10

what information can be found stamped on an ampoule of Anexate

Answer 10

drug name
concentration
batch number
expiry date

Question 11

how should Anexate be stored if not in use

Answer 11

controlled drugs cabinet, metal, locked and fixed to the wall, Professionals allowed access to sign in and out. Records and documentation to be kept for up to 2 years

Question 12

when would Anexate be administered

Answer 12

when a patient is over-sedated and does not respond to verbal or physical commands

Question 13

if a patient is over-sedated, what would be the recommended titration of Anexate

Answer 13

200mcgs over 15 seconds. Wait for 60 seconds. If needed, 100mcgs are given every 60seconds. Usual dose 300-600mcgs. Maximum dose is 1mg - 2 vials

Question 14

how does Anexate reverse the effects of midazolam

Answer 14

it is the antidote for an over dose of benzodiazepines and is an imidazobenzodiazepine derivative, which antagonises the clinical actions of benzodiazepines on the CNS. The pharmacology of it is that it competitively inhibits the activity at the benzodiazepine GABA receptors. This allows neurones to return to their normal state of excitability, thus reversing the sedative effect

Question 15

what side effect might a patient experience after Anexate is administered

Answer 15

Anxiety, head pains, aggressiveness and agitation. Disorientation. if a patient is epileptic, the drug is used to control their condition and interacts with the midazolam, causing a seizure

Question 16

would it be possible for the patient to re-sedate if midazolam is being used

Answer 16

As the half life off Anexate is 50 mins and the half life of midazolam is 1-4 hours, it is possible that when used to reverse the action of midazolam, the patient will initially be reversed but could re-sedate as the action decreases. However, very little re-sedation will occur as both drugs will wear off together

Question 17

how is Anexate metabolised

Answer 17

in the liver

Question 18

after Anexate is broken down, how is it excreted

Answer 18

in the urine from the kidneys

Question 19

state 2 contraindications for the use of Anexate

Answer 19

1. patients dependent on benzodiazepines

2. patients who have epilepsy