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Protracted deep coma after bromazepam poisoning.

K Lakhal¹, S Pallancher, J-C Mathieu-Daude

¹Réanimation Polyvalente, Département d'Anesthésie-Réanimation A, Hôpital Lapeyronie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, 34000 Montpellier, France. lakhal_karim@yahoo.fr

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics

|December 31, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Bromazepam, a common drug, can cause prolonged, life-threatening comas even without organ failure. This case highlights the risks of bromazepam intoxication, emphasizing the need for awareness and prompt medical attention.

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Area of Science:

Pharmacology
Toxicology
Clinical Medicine

Background:

Bromazepam intoxication is frequently encountered but infrequently documented in medical literature.
Benzodiazepine overdoses are common, yet severe outcomes are often associated with co-ingestions or underlying health issues.

Observation:

A 73-year-old female experienced a prolonged coma following acute self-poisoning with bromazepam and zolpidem.
Bromazepam serum concentrations remained toxic for an extended period, necessitating 16 days before extubation.
Activated charcoal administration showed minimal impact on bromazepam's elimination kinetics.

Findings:

Bromazepam, despite its theoretical short half-life, can induce a severe, prolonged coma.
The patient recovered consciousness and was extubated on Day 16.
Renal or hepatic failure was absent in this case, suggesting intrinsic toxicity of bromazepam.

Implications:

Clinicians should consider bromazepam as a potential cause of prolonged coma, even in patients without pre-existing organ dysfunction.
This case underscores the importance of recognizing and managing severe benzodiazepine intoxication.
Further research into the pharmacokinetics and toxicodynamics of bromazepam in overdose is warranted.