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| LETTER TO EDITOR |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 29
| Issue : 2 | Page : 268-269 |
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In response to: Midazolam-induced acute dystonia reversed by diazepam
Samridhi Nanda, Chhavi Sawhney, Chandni Sinha
Department of Anaesthesia, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), India
| Date of Web Publication | 13-May-2013 |
Correspondence Address:
Samridhi Nanda
701, Faculty Transit Accomodation, Ayur Vigyan Nagar, Near Ansal Plaza, New Delhi
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0970-9185.111732
How to cite this article:
Nanda S, Sawhney C, Sinha C. In response to: Midazolam-induced acute dystonia reversed by diazepam. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol 2013;29:268-9 |
How to cite this URL:
Nanda S, Sawhney C, Sinha C. In response to: Midazolam-induced acute dystonia reversed by diazepam. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol [serial online] 2013 [cited 2021 Jan 21];29:268-9. Available from: https://www.joacp.org/text.asp?2013/29/2/268/111732 |
Dear Editor,
We read with interest the article titled "Midazolam-induced acute dystonia reversed by diazepam." [1] Indeed, midazolam-induced acute dystonia is reported in the literature, though not very commonly. Not just dystonia, midazolam is also a culprit for other adverse reactions like agitation, excitement, mental confusion, tremors, athetosis, laryngospasm. [2],[3] The proposed mechanism of action of extrapyramidal symptoms after midazolam administration is the loss of inhibition by the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which is a property of Benzodiazepines in general. [4] Both midazolam and diazepam acting at the same receptor site should, therefore, theoretically result in the same response. It seems unlikely that another drug from the benzodiazepine family would resolve a dystonic reaction caused by midazolam. There are reports in the literature showing acute dystonias with diazepam or the commonly called "Street Valium."[5],[6] Most reports mention reversal of the dystonia after administration of the BZD antagonist "Flumazenil" or anti-cholinergic agents like "Physostigmine." [3],[7],[8] In this case, the dystonic reaction did not subside with the administration of Flumazenil. It is unlikely that the acute dystonia was an untoward effect of midazolam, and another plausible explanation for acute dystonic reaction observed in the case must be sought.
The dose used in this case, as a premedication (0.2 mg/kg intravenously), appears high. The recommended dose of midazolam for premedication is 0.25-0.5 mg/kg orally, 1.0-2.5 mg for intravenous sedation and 0.1-0.2 mg/kg for induction of anesthesia. [9] The authors mention that throughout the period of dystonia, the sensorium was clear. The reason as to why such a high dose of midazolam was used in a 6-year-old girl remains unclear.
| References | |  |
| 1. | Komur M, Arslankoylu AE, Okuyaz C. Midazolam-induced acute dystonia reversed by diazepam. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol 2012;28:368-70. 
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| 2. | Prommer EE. Midazolam-induced extrapyramidal side effects. J Pain Symptom Manage 2008;36:e5-6.
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| 3. | Vorsanger GJ, Roberts JT. Midazolam-induced athetoid movements of the lower extremities during epidural anesthesia reversed by physostigmine. J Clin Anesth 1993;5:494-6.
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| 4. | Mohler H. GABA (A) receptor diversity and pharmacology. Cell Tissue Res 2006;326:505-16.
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| 5. | Demetropoulous S, Schauben JL. Acute dystonic reactions from "Street Valium". J Emerg Med 1987;5:293-7.
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| 6. | Hooker EA, Danzl DF. Acute dystonic reaction due to diazepam. J Emerg Med 1988;6:491-3.
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| 7. | Davis DP, Hamilton RS, Webster TH. Reversal of midazolam-znduced laryngospasm with Flumazenil. Ann Emerg Med 1998;32:263-5.
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| 8. | Weinbroum AA, Szold O, Ogorek D, Flaishon R. The midazolam-induced paradox phenomenon is reversible by Flumazenil. Epidemiology, patient characteristics and review of literature. Eur J Anaesthesiolol 2001;18:789-97.
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| 9. | Stoelting RK, Hillier SC. Pharmacology and physiology in anesthetic practice. 4 th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2005. p. 145-6.
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