Remimazolam is an intravenous benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic with rapid onset and offset of action. This compound undergoes organ-independent metabolism to an inactive metabolite. Like other benzodiazepines, remimazolam can be reversed with flumazenil to rapidly terminate sedation and anesthesia. Phase I and II clinical trials have shown that remimazolam is safe and effective when used for procedural sedation. Phase III clinical trials have been completed investigating efficacy and safety in patients undergoing bronchoscopy and colonoscopy. The developer of this drug has suggested that intensive care unit sedation (beyond 24 hours) could be another possible indication for further development, since it is unlikely that prolonged infusions or higher doses of remimazolam would result in accumulation and extended effect.

Benzenesulfonic acid (conjugate base benzenesulfonate) is the simplest aromatic sulfonic acid, that is soluble in water and ethanol, slightly soluble in benzene and insoluble in nonpolar solvents like diethyl ether. Benzenesulfonic acid was first obtained, together with diphenyl sulfone, by E. MITSCHERLICH in 1834 by heating benzene with fuming sulfuric acid. The industrially important reaction of benzenesulfonic acid with alkali hydroxide to form phenol (alkali fusion) was developed by A. WURTZ and A. KEKUL_e in 1867 and by P. O. DEGENER in 1878. Until the early 1960s benzenesulfonic acid was used chiefly in the manufacture of phenol. Benzenesulfonic acid has the characteristic reactions of a strong aromatic sulfonic acid. Acid hydrolysis at 175 C splits it into benzene and sulfuric acid. Additional sulfonation with fuming sulfuric acid gives 1,3-benzenedisulfonic acid, which reacts further to 1,3,5-benzenetrisulfonic acid, and also diphenyl sulfone disulfonic acid. Benzenesulfonic acid is used as an acid catalyst. The sodium salt is used to standardize dyes. A variety of pharmaceutical drugs are prepared as benzenesulfonate salts and are known as besilates (INN) or besylates (USAN).

Remimazolam is an intravenous benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic with rapid onset and offset of action. This compound undergoes organ-independent metabolism to an inactive metabolite. Like other benzodiazepines, remimazolam can be reversed with flumazenil to rapidly terminate sedation and anesthesia. Phase I and II clinical trials have shown that remimazolam is safe and effective when used for procedural sedation. Phase III clinical trials have been completed investigating efficacy and safety in patients undergoing bronchoscopy and colonoscopy. The developer of this drug has suggested that intensive care unit sedation (beyond 24 hours) could be another possible indication for further development, since it is unlikely that prolonged infusions or higher doses of remimazolam would result in accumulation and extended effect.