[Comparative study of the antagonizing effect to flunitrazepam between Ro 15-1788 and physostigmine]

In a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, thirty patients who had received flunitrazepam during operation were divided into three groups. At the end of surgery, one group was given a placebo, one group was given Ro 15-1788 (Benzodiazepine antagonist) and a third group was given physostigmine. Each group was assessed at the end of 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes 60 minutes and 120 minutes for alertness/sedation, recall, recognition and motor coordination. At the end of 5 and 15 minutes, the patients who had received Ro 15-1788 showed a statistically significant difference in alertness/sedation from those in the other two groups (p less than 0.01). This group also showed a statistically significant difference in motor coordination at the end of 5 minutes (p less than 0.05). There was no significant difference in recognition or recall at anytime. Physostigmine showed no significant difference change from the control group at anytime in every aspect. In conclusion, Ro 15-1788 is an effective antagonist to the alertness/sedation of flunitrazepam, but physostigmine is not.