Which medication acts as the antidote for benzodiazepine overdose?

• A. Naloxone
• B. Flumazenil
• C. Acetylcysteine
• D. Atropine

Answer: (B)

Benzodiazepines enhance the inhibitory effect of GABA at the GABA-A receptor, leading to sedation and potential respiratory depression in an overdose. The reversal drug is a competitive antagonist at the benzodiazepine binding site on that receptor, which displaces the benzodiazepine and rapidly restores normal neurotransmission. This drug binds where benzodiazepines would, effectively blocking their effects and reversing the overdose symptoms. It acts quickly, but its own effects can wear off sooner than some benzodiazepines, so careful monitoring is needed for possible re-sedation. Other drugs mentioned are not antidotes for benzodiazepines: naloxone reverses opioid effects, acetylcysteine treats acetaminophen toxicity, and atropine blocks muscarinic receptors in different poisoning scenarios.