A patient experiences a benzodiazepine overdose. What is the reversal agent of choice?

Flumazenil (Romazicon) is a competitive benzodiazepine antagonist that reverses benzodiazepine-induced CNS depression, sedation, and respiratory depression by competing for GABA-A receptor binding sites. It is the specific reversal agent for benzodiazepine overdose. Naloxone (Narcan) is the reversal agent for opioid overdose — not benzodiazepines. Atropine reverses muscarinic effects (bradycardia). Epinephrine is used for anaphylaxis. Flumazenil has a shorter half-life than most benzodiazepines, so re-sedation may occur and repeated doses or monitoring may be required.