Aminophylline reversal of diazepam sedation

A double-blind randomised study was performed to investigate whether aminophylline reversed the sedative effect of diazepam. Thirty-two patients undergoing genito-urinary surgery with spinal or topical anaesthesia were given diazepam to maintain a state of deep sedation. Postoperatively patients received either aminophylline (60-120 mg) or physiological saline intravenously. The aminophylline group showed a rapid reversal of sedation, which persisted throughout the observation period of 2 hours. No such effect was seen in the patients who received saline and the difference was still obvious after 2 hours. It is concluded that aminophylline is a potent antagonist to the sedative effect of diazepam.