Flunitrazepam does not alter cerebral distribution of buprenorphine in the rat.

Deaths have been reported among heroin addicts related to combined buprenorphine and flunitrazepam use. The aim of this study was to determine the existence of a drug-drug interaction during the distribution phase of buprenorphine. Arterial blood gases were measured after intravenous administration of buprenorphine alone (30 mg/kg), flunitrazepam alone (40 mg/kg) or both drugs in rats.

Cerebral and plasma kinetics of a high dose of midazolam and correlations with its respiratory effects in rats.

Benzodiazepine poisoning causes coma and respiratory depression. Our objective was to determine whether, and to what extent, arterial blood gas disturbances correlated with blood or cerebral kinetics of midazolam. A 160 mgkg(-1) single dose of midazolam was infused intravenously over 20 min in catheterized male Sprague-Dawley rats.