Flumazenil (flumazepil, Anexate®, Lanexat®, Mazicon®, Romazicon®) is a benzodiazepine antagonist, used as an antidote in the treatment of benzodiazepine overdose. It reverses the effects of benzodiazepines by competitive inhibition of benzodiazepine receptors.
The onset of action is very fast, about one to two minutes. The activity peak is six to ten minutes. Many benzodiazepines have longer half-lives than flumazenil. Therefore repeat doses of flumazenil may be required to prevent recurrent symptoms of overdosage once the initial dose of flumazenil wears off.
It was introduced in 1987 by Hoffmann-La Roche under trade name Anexate.