Benzodiazepines are especially important in the cessation of seizure activity, as 1% to 2% of emergency department visits annually in the United States are for seizures. Indications for benzodiazepine administration include, but are not limited to, anxiety disorders, insomnia, convulsive disorders, acute status epilepticus, induction of amnesia, spastic disorders, seizure disorders, and agitation. Benzodiazepines are especially important in the cessation of seizure activity, as 1% to 2% of emergency department visits annually in the United States are for seizures. Non-FDA approved administration of benzodiazepines is commonly found in the field of psychiatry. Indications here include Tourette's syndrome, delirium, delirium tremens, sleep disorders, and “abnormal movements associated with medications.”[1][2]

Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that act upon benzodiazepine receptors (BZ-R) in the central nervous system (CNS). The receptor is protein comprised of five transmembrane subunits that form a chloride channel in the center. The five subunits are comprised of two alpha, two beta, and one gamma subunit. The extracellular portions of the alpha and beta subunit proteins form a receptor site for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter. The extracellular portions of the alpha and gamma subunit proteins form a binding site for benzodiazepines. Activation of the BZ-R causes a conformational change to a central pore, which allows the entrance of chloride ions into the neuron. Addition of the chloride anion hyperpolarizes the neuron, resulting in the decreased firing of action potentials of that neuron.[3]

Benzodiazepines are commonly administered via the intravenous route. They may also be administered rectally, intranasally, and intramuscularly, as protocol/patient presentation dictates. For example, intranasal or intramuscular administration may be useful in actively seizing patients in which intravenous (IV) or oral administration cannot be safely performed. Rectal administration in pediatric patients may be used for seizure cessation.

Benzodiazepine administration can be performed by providing small doses of the medication until the desired effect (i.e., sedation, cessation of seizure activity, anxiolysis) has been achieved. It should be noted that with intravenous administration, it may take 3 to 5 minutes to achieve a CNS drug concentration adequate to produce the desired effect. Therefore, the adequate time between doses should be allowed to prevent oversedation of the patient.

Care should be taken in the neonatal and pre-term infant populations, as studies indicate these patients experience significant hypotension, particularly with co-administration of opioids, specifically fentanyl.

Additionally, resuscitation and airway management equipment must be readily available to providers during the administration of benzodiazepines. Airway management equipment may include nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal airways, bag valve masks, blind insertion airway devices, laryngeal mask airways, or endotracheal intubation as training of emergency management service providers allows.

Common adverse effects of benzodiazepine administration include, but is not limited to:

• Respiratory depression
• Respiratory arrest
• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Headache
• Syncope
• Nausea/vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Tremor

In neonates, less than 1% of patients treated with benzodiazepines experience laryngospasm and/or bronchospasm. They may also experience ventricular arrhythmias including ventricular bigeminy or premature ventricular contractions, vasovagal syncope, bradycardia, or tachycardia. Gastrointestinal reactions may include retching, nausea/vomiting, and excess salivation. CNS and neuromuscular adverse effects may include euphoria, hallucination, ataxia, dizziness, seizure-like activity, and paresthesia. Visual disturbances may include diplopia (“double vision”), cyclic eyelid movement, loss of balance, and difficulty focusing the eyes on objects. 

Benzodiazepines may interact with ethanol, other benzodiazepines, and sedatives such as barbiturates, resulting in increased respiratory depression via a synergistic effect. Therefore, concomitant administration of benzodiazepines with patients under the influence of the preceding drugs should be carefully performed, with respiratory monitoring in place. 

Contraindications include known hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines and narrow-angle glaucoma. Glaucoma occurs when the intraocular pressure rises, thereby causing compression of the optic nerve near the posterior surface of the eye. Upon compression, the flow of cytoplasm from the cell body of the optic nerve starves the nerve fibers leading to the brain. This results in numerous issues, including ocular pain, nausea/vomiting, blurred vision, an intraocular pressure greater than 21 mmHg, edema of the corneal epithelium, and non-reactive pupils. 

As always, follow local protocols or contact Medical Control if any questions regarding administration, or withholding thereof, exist.