National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 2 (NCAC II) Practice Exam Exam

Which medication is used to prevent overdose of benzodiazepines?

1. Naloxone

2. Buprenorphine

3. Flumazenil

4. Acamprosate

The correct answer is: Flumazenil

Flumazenil is the medication specifically used to counteract the effects of benzodiazepine overdose. It is a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist that works by reversing the central nervous system depressant effects of benzodiazepines, which can lead to respiratory depression and sedation in cases of overdose. In the context of overdose situations, flumazenil can help restore normal breathing and alertness by blocking the action at the same receptors that benzodiazepines activate. It is important to note that while flumazenil can be effective in treating benzodiazepine overdose, its use should be done cautiously, especially in individuals who may have concurrent poly-drug overdoses, as it may precipitate withdrawal symptoms in dependent users. Other medications listed do have significant roles in addiction treatment but do not specifically target benzodiazepine overdoses. Naloxone, for instance, is used to reverse opioid overdoses. Buprenorphine serves as a partial agonist for treating opioid addiction. Acamprosate is utilized in the treatment of alcohol use disorder, promoting abstinence and stabilizing mood. Each of these medications targets specific substances or conditions, emphasizing the need for medication that directly correlates with the substance of concern—in this case, benz