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Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications3
Reversal of benzodiazepine effects (therapeutic or overdose); adjunct in severe hepatic encephalopathy; zolpidem/imidazopyridine overdose
DogCatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 535–536 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Reversal of benzodiazepine effects (therapeutic or overdose); adjunct in severe hepatic encephalopathy; zolpidem/imidazopyridine overdose — Extra-label (human drug)
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 535–536 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Reversal of benzodiazepine effects (therapeutic or overdose); adjunct in severe hepatic encephalopathy; zolpidem/imidazopyridine overdose — Extra-label (human drug)
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 535–536 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Partial reversal of tiletamine-zolazepam anesthesia (shortens recovery; reverses auditory/posture effects, not sedation)
DogExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 535–536 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Partial reversal of tiletamine-zolazepam anesthesia (shortens recovery; reverses auditory/posture effects, not sedation) — Extra-label
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 535–536 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens3
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects117
Injection-site reaction, vomiting, cutaneous vasodilation, vertigo/ataxia — Human-reported
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 535–536 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Seizures — Chronic benzo users, TCA overdose context (human)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 535–536 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Ataxia3 reports
- Cyanosis3 reports
- Agonal breathing2 reports
- Blindness2 reports
- Bradycardia2 reports
- Hypotension2 reports
- Impaired vision2 reports
- Abdominal pain1 reports
- Abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG)1 reports
- Abnormal radiograph finding1 reports
- Abnormal ultrasound finding1 reports
- Alkaline urine1 reports
Cat
- Abnormal menace reflex test2 reports
- Ataxia2 reports
- Death by euthanasia2 reports
- Not eating2 reports
- Sedation prolonged2 reports
- Aspiration pneumonia1 reports
- Behavioural disorder NOS1 reports
- Bladder distension1 reports
- Circling - neurological disorder (see also Behavioural disorders)1 reports
- Depression1 reports
- Dull1 reports
- Dull reflexes1 reports
Monitoring1
Sedation level q15–30 min until stable beyond flumazenil's hour; seizure watch in chronic benzo/unknown overdose patients
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 535–536 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
Hypersensitivity; when benzodiazepines are treating a life-threatening condition (status epilepticus, ↑CSF pressure); serious TCA overdose
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 535–536 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions5
Mixed overdoses — extreme caution (reversal can precipitate seizures); may worsen baclofen/carisoprodol toxicity; re-sedation after wear-off
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 535–536 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Competitive antagonist with a HALF-LIFE SHORTER THAN THE DRUG IT REVERSES — the re-sedation trap: patients look great at minute 15 and are comatose again at hour 2. Repeat dosing is the norm, not the exception.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 535–536 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Never reverse the benzodiazepine that is controlling status epilepticus — you will unleash seizures.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 535–536 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
In severe hepatic encephalopathy, GABA-tone contributes to coma — flumazenil 0.02 mg/kg is a recognized adjunctive wake-up tool (alongside lactulose).
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 535–536 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Useful partial rescue for zolpidem-type hypnotic ingestion (same receptor family).
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 535–536 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions2
Long-acting benzodiazepines — Effects recur as flumazenil clears — monitor
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 535–536 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
TCAs — Seizure risk if reversed on top of TCA toxicity
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 535–536 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics3
Onset — 1–2 min after rapid IV
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 535–536 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Half-life — ~1 h (human) — shorter than diazepam → re-sedation expected
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 535–536 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metabolism — Rapid hepatic; does NOT change benzodiazepine PK (pure receptor competition)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 535–536 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Potentially teratogenic at high doses — use only when clearly needed.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 535–536 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references14
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Antinociceptive Role of β-alanine in Hot Plate-induced Pain in Mice.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Effects of temperature and different doses of flumazenil on sedation induced by midazolam in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps).
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Association of Nepeta cataria L. essential oil and eugenol: synergism and safe anesthesia in tambaqui Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier, 1818).
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Flumazenil has a dose-dependent effect on recovery from midazolam sedation in Rhode Island Red chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus).
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Exploration of neural mechanisms underlying antidepressant-like property of Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam. essential oil using mouse forced swimming test: Involvement of the monoaminergic systems.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
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