title: Benzodiazepine-opiate antagonism--a problem in intensive-care therapy.
abstract: A 14-year-old previously fit schoolboy was admitted with staphylococcal pneumonia secondary to influenza A infection. His condition deteriorated as he developed adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); during a stormy recovery exceptionally high doses of benzodiazepines and opiates were given in order to suppress voluntary breathing during a successful period of assisted ventilation. It is possible that benzodiazepine-opiate antagonism developed. Subsequent studies in laboratory mice indicate that the respiratory depressant effects of morphine can be antagonized by prior treatment with lorazepam.
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: I W
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Crompton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003422:Critical Care; D004347:Drug Interactions; D003932:Heroin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009020:Morphine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D003932:Heroin; D009020:Morphine; D008140:Lorazepam