PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Geddes, D M
AU  - Rudolf, M
AU  - Saunders, K B
TI  - Effect of nitrazepam and flurazepam on the ventilatory response to carbon dioxide.
AID  - 10.1136/thx.31.5.548
DP  - 1976 Oct 01
TA  - Thorax
PG  - 548--551
VI  - 31
IP  - 5
4099  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/31/5/548.short
4100  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/31/5/548.full
SO  - Thorax1976 Oct 01; 31
AB  - Ventilatory response to CO2 was measured before and after two different benzodiazepine hypnotics in both chronic bronchitics and patients without chest disease. Flurazepam, but not nitrazepam, produced a significant decrease in CO2 sensitivity, although there was no significant change in FEV1 or mixed venous PCO2. This is the first unequivocal evidence of central depression of respiration by a benzodiazepine and may be the mechanism by which benzodiazepines cause deterioration in patients with respiratory failure.