J Korean Med Sci.  2003 Apr;18(2):299-300. 10.3346/jkms.2003.18.2.299.

Flumazenil-induced Ballism

• Kim JS
• Ko SB
• Choi YB
• Lee KS

• KMID: 2157641
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2003.18.2.299

Abstract

Flumazenil, an imidazobenzodiazepine, is the first benzodiazepine antagonist and is being used to reverse the adverse pharmacological effects of benzodiazepine. There have been a few reports on the central nevous system side effects with its use. We report a patient with generalized ballism following administration of flumazenil. The mechanism through which flumazenil induced this symptom is unknown. It is conceivable that flumazenil may antagonize the GABA-benzodiazepine receptor complex and induce dopamine hypersensitivity, thus induce dyskinesic symptoms.

Keyword

Ballism; Flumazenil; GABA; Dopamine

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis, Differential
Dyskinesias/etiology*
Female
Flumazenil/adverse effects*
GABA Modulators/adverse effects*
Human
Middle Aged