Intoxication Poisoning with Valium
Benzodiazepines (Valium®) are often misused for suicide attempts. Overdosage can cause symptoms of poisoning as a side effect, which are primarily manifested in an overly strong expression of the actual effects. Only in combination with alcohol or other centrally attenuating substances does a relevant respiratory depression (respiratory arrest) occur.
In case of an overdose, flumazenil can be administered as an antidote (“antidote”). However, its short half-life of about one hour must be taken into account. In order to achieve adequate antagonisation (inhibitory effect) of the overdosed benzodiazepine, it must therefore be given at regular intervals until the benzodiazepine has also been sufficiently eliminated from the body (see Valium® side effects).
