Midazolam

Midazolam in a prescription medication given before medical procedures to cause sedation, reduce anxiety, and prevent any memory of the procedure.

Midazolam Overview

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Midazolam in a prescription medication used to prevent anxiety, cause sedation, and amnesia before medical procedures.

Midazolame belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines, which help to slow down activity in the central nervous system.

This medication comes in liquid form and is taken typically once before a medical procedure, with or without food depending on doctor instructions.

This medication is also available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects of midazolam include headache, nausea, and vomiting.

Midazolam can also cause dizziness and drowsiness. Make sure to arange for transportation to and from the medical procedure.

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  • Other
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Psychomotor Agitation
  • Status Epilepticus

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  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
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Midazolam Cautionary Labels

precautionsprecautionsprecautions

Uses of Midazolam

Injectable:

Midazolam in a prescription medication used to prevent anxiety, cause sedation, and amnesia before medical procedures. Midazolam is also sometimes used along with anasthesia during proceudres to induce sleep. Critically ill patients in an ICU setting are sometimes given midazolam to keep them comfortable and sedated.

Syrup:

Midazolam syrup is a prescription medication used in children to prevent anxiety, cause sedation, and amnesia before medical procedures.

Midazolam Brand Names

Midazolam may be found in some form under the following brand names:

Midazolam Drug Class

Midazolam is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Midazolam

Common side effects of midazolam include:

Injectable:

  • Drowsiness
  • Amnesia
  • Hiccups
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Injection site irritation
  • Pain at injection site

Syrup:

  • Drowsiness
  • Amnesia
  • Hiccups
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Rash

 

Midazolam can cause serious side effects (see "Midazolam Precautions").

These are not all the possible side effects of midazolam. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

 

Midazolam FDA Warning

Injectable:

Midazolam has been associated with respiratory depression and respiratory arrest, especially when used for sedation in noncritical care settings. Use only in settings that can provide for continuous monitoring of respiratory and cardiac function. The initial dose and all subsequent doses should always be titrated slowly. Midazolam injection should not be administered by rapid injection in the neonatal population as severe hypotension and seizures have been reported.

Syrup:

Midazolam has been associated with respiratory depression and respiratory arrest, especially when used for sedation in noncritical care settings. Use only in settings that can provide for continuous monitoring of respiratory and cardiac function.