Sarmazenil is partial inverse agonist of benzodiazepine receptors whereas flumazenil is an antagonist competitively inhibiting the benzodiazepine binding site at the GABA receptor.
Sarmaseniil on bensodiasepiini retseptorite osaline pöördagonist, samal ajal kui flumaseniil on täielik antagonist, mis pidurdab bensodiasepiini toime seondudes konkureerivalt GABA retseptoriga.