Inhaled Remimazolam Potentiates Inhaled Remifentanil in Rodents.

BACKGROUND: Remimazolam is an ester-based short-acting benzodiazepine currently in clinical trials for IV administration. This study explored the feasibility of delivering remimazolam alone and as an adjunct to remifentanil via inhalation in rodent models. METHODS: Mice were exposed to remimazolam via inhalation; sedation was assessed using time to movement outside a set perimeter. Rats were also exposed to remimazolam aerosol alone and in combination with inhaled remifentanil, and analgesia was quantified by using a tail flick meter. Pulmonary injury was assessed in mice using mechanics measurements. RESULTS: Mice showed significantly increased time to movement outside a set perimeter after 5-minute exposure to increasing concentrations (10-25 mg/mL solutions) of inhaled remimazolam aerosols. Differences in mean (95% confidence interval) time to movement from pretest baseline group (0.05 [0.01-0.09] minutes) were 11 (4-18), 15 (5-26), 30 (19-41), and 109 (103-115) minutes after exposure to remimazolam aerosol of 10, 15, 20, and 25 mg/mL, respectively (P = .007 - P

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