Midazolam injection

What is this medicine?

MIDAZOLAM (MID ay zoe lam) is a benzodiazepine. It is used to cause relaxation or sleep before surgery and to block memory of the procedure.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for injection into a muscle or vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this medicine may be prescribed for children for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• disorientation or hallucinations during recovery

• fast, irregular heartbeat

• involuntary eye and muscle movements

• pain, redness, or irritation at site where injected

• pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet

• seizures

• signs and symptoms of low blood pressure like dizziness; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• cough

• headache

• hiccups

• loss of memory of events just before, during, and after use

• nausea, vomiting

• trouble sleeping, nightmares

• trouble speaking

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• boceprevir

• certain antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS

• certain medicines for fungal infections like ketoconazole and itraconazole

• grapefruit juice

• idelalisib

• narcotic medicines for cough

• sodium oxybate

• telaprevir

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• alcohol

• antihistamines for allergy, cough and cold

• calcium channel blockers like diltiazem and verapamil

• certain antibiotics like clarithromycin, erythromycin, rifampin

• certain antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS

• certain medicines for anxiety or sleep

• certain medicines for depression, like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline

• certain medicines for fungal infections like ketoconazole and itraconazole

• certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone

• cimetidine

• general anesthetics like lidocaine, pramoxine, tetracaine

• medicines that relax muscles for surgery

• narcotic medicines for pain

• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• an alcohol or drug abuse problem

• bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis, or other mental health condition

• glaucoma

• heart disease

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• lung or breathing disease

• seizures or a history of seizures

• suicidal thoughts

• an unusual or allergic reaction to midazolam, other benzodiazepines, benzyl alcohol, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Your condition will be closely monitored while you receive this medicine.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

If you are taking another medicine that also causes drowsiness, you may have more side effects. Give your health care provider a list of all medicines you use. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. Do not take more medicine than directed. Call emergency for help if you have problems breathing or unusual sleepiness.