Midazolam (Systemic)

Brand Names : Versed

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For midazolam, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to midazolam or other benzodiazepines (such as alprazolam [e.g., Xanax], bromazepam [e.g., Lectopam], chlordiazepoxide [e.g., Librium], clonazepam [e.g., Klonopin], clorazepate [e.g., Tranxene], diazepam [e.g., Valium], estazolam [e.g., ProSom], flurazepam [e.g., Dalmane], halazepam [e.g., Paxipam], ketazolam [e.g., Loftran], lorazepam [e.g., Ativan], nitrazepam [e.g., Mogadon], oxazepam [e.g., Serax], prazepam [e.g., Centrax], quazepam [e.g., Doral], temazepam [e.g., Restoril], triazolam [e.g., Halcion]). Also, tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Midazolam is not recommended for use during pregnancy because it may cause birth defects. Other benzodiazepines, such as chlordiazepoxide (e.g., Librium) and diazepam (e.g., Valium) that are related chemically and in action to midazolam, have been reported to increase the chance of birth defects when used during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Also, use of midazolam during pregnancy, especially during the last few days, may cause drowsiness, slow heartbeat, shortness of breath, or troubled breathing in the newborn infant. In addition, receiving midazolam just before or during labor may cause weakness in the newborn infant.

Breast-feeding - Midazolam passes into human breast milk. Because newborn babies may be especially sensitive to the effects of midazolam, you should discuss breast-feeding with your physician if you are going to receive midazolam. It may be advisable to stop breast-feeding for a short period of time after receiving midazolam.

Children - Newborn babies may be especially sensitive to the effects of midazolam. This may increase the chance of side effects during the use of this medicine. Also, time to complete recovery after midazolam is given may be longer in very ill newborn babies.

Older adults - Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects of midazolam. This may increase the chance of side effects during the use of this medicine. Also, time to complete recovery after midazolam is given may be slower in the elderly than in younger adults.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving midazolam, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that cause drowsiness) or alcohol - The CNS depressant and other effects of alcohol, other medicines, or midazolam may be increased; also, the effects of midazolam may last longer
• Saquinavir (e.g., Fortovase, Invirase) - Saquinavir may interfere with the removal of midazolam from the body, which could lead to serious side effects

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of midazolam. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Heart disease or
• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease or
• Obesity (overweight) - The effects of midazolam may last longer

• Lung disease or
• Myasthenia gravis or other muscle and nerve disease - Midazolam may make the condition worse