ORCID

Abstract

Purpose of review Anaesthesia and sedation are ubiquitous in contemporary medical practice. Developments in anaesthetic pharmacology are targeted on reducing physiological disturbance whilst maintaining or improving titrateability, recovery profile and patient experience. Remimazolam is a new short-acting benzodiazepine in the final stages of clinical development. Recent findings Clinical experience with remimazolam comprises volunteer studies and a limited number of clinical investigations. In addition, laboratory investigations explore the implications of its 'soft drug' pharmacology. Summary Remimazolam provides effective procedural sedation with superior success rates and recovery profile when compared to midazolam. Comparisons with propofol are required. Preliminary studies suggest potential for using remimazolam as the hypnotic component of general anaesthesia. Definitive studies are awaited. As a benzodiazepine, remimazolam could be evaluated as an anticonvulsant and for intensive care sedation.

DOI

10.1097/ACO.0000000000000877

Publication Date

2020-01-01

Publication Title

Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology

Volume

33

Issue

4

ISSN

0952-7907

Embargo Period

2021-06-08

Keywords

anaesthesia, midazolam, propofol, remimazolam, sedation

First Page

506

Last Page

511

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