Midazolam Injection (Midazolam)

Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information

Prescription Required

Quick Facts

Generic Name

midazolam

Drug Class

benzodiazepine

Used For

sedation during medical procedures, intensive care, and anesthesia induction

How Taken

injection into vein or muscle, or continuous infusion by healthcare professionals only

What Is Midazolam Injection Used For?

Midazolam Injection contains the active ingredient midazolam and belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. It is administered by healthcare professionals to provide sedation and relaxation during medical procedures.

Primary Uses

Midazolam Injection is used as a sedative during short medical procedures, for patients in intensive care who need sedation, and to help induce anesthesia before other anesthetics are given as part of an operation.

How It Works

As a benzodiazepine, midazolam works by affecting the central nervous system to produce sedation and relaxation.

Professional Administration: This medication is only given by trained doctors or nurses in medical settings, ensuring proper monitoring and safety.

How Midazolam Injection Is Given

Midazolam Injection must only be given by a doctor or nurse in a medical setting. You will not administer this medication yourself.

Administration Method

The medication is given as an injection into a vein or muscle, or through a slow infusion (drip) into a vein. It may be given as a single dose before a medical procedure or continuously by infusion, and is stopped once sedation is no longer needed.

Dosage Determination

Your doctor will decide the appropriate dose, frequency, and duration based on your condition, age, kidney and liver function, and whether other medicines are being given at the same time.

Professional Monitoring: Your condition will be carefully monitored during and after administration to ensure safety and proper effects.

Available Tablet Strengths

1 mg/mL

1 mg/mL Tablet Clear, colourless to pale yellow, Solution in ampoule • AUST R 72213

5 mg/mL

5 mg/mL Tablet Clear, colourless to pale yellow, Solution in ampoule • AUST R 72214

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

Pain, redness or hardness around the injection site
Muscle stiffness or inflammation
Nausea, vomiting
Headache
Drowsiness, tiredness, restlessness
Dizziness, unsteadiness
Hiccups
Coughing
Constipation
Dry mouth or excessive saliva, acid taste in mouth
Rash, itchiness
Problems with vision
Tingling or numbness of hands or feet
Feeling of extreme happiness
Emotional, mood and behavioral disturbances
Uncontrollable twitching or jerking movements
Nightmares, abnormal dreams, sleep disturbance
Difficulty with speaking
Changes in libido

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

Allergic reaction (rash, itching or hives on skin, swelling of face, lips, tongue or other body parts, shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing)
Cardiac arrest, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, heart rhythm problems, cardiovascular collapse
Chest pain
Trouble breathing
Confusion
Hallucinations
Dependence
Loss of memory

Important Warnings

Before receiving Midazolam Injection, it’s important to inform your healthcare team about your medical history and current medications to ensure safe administration.

Who Should Not Receive Midazolam Injection

Do not receive this medication if you are allergic to midazolam or other benzodiazepines, have myasthenia gravis, acute narrow angle glaucoma, or are in shock, coma, or acute alcoholic intoxication with depression of vital signs.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have epilepsy, sleep apnea, kidney, liver, heart or breathing problems (such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), a history of alcohol or drug abuse, or if you use illegal drugs or medicines for insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, seizures, or tension.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits involved and any monitoring of your baby that may be required if breastfeeding occurs.

Elderly Patients: There is an increased risk for falls and fractures in elderly patients using this type of medicine, especially when taking other sedatives.

Drug Interactions

Several medications can interfere with Midazolam Injection and affect how it works. Always tell your healthcare team about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.

Antifungal medicines (ketoconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole)
Antibiotics (rifampicin, erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin, roxithromycin)
Antiviral medicines including HIV drugs (ritonavir, saquinavir, efavirenz)
Heart medicines (diltiazem, verapamil, ticagrelor)
Cholesterol medicine (atorvastatin)
Anesthesia or pain relief medicines (fentanyl, ketamine, propofol)
Mental health medicines (fluvoxamine, nefazodone)
Cancer treatment medicines (imatinib, lapatinib, idelalisib, aprepitant, netupitant, bicalutamide, everolimus, enzalutamide, vemurafenib)
Transplant medicine (ciclosporine)
Epilepsy medicines (carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproic acid)
Strong pain medicines
Antihistamines for allergies and colds
Glaucoma medicine (physostigmine)
Herbal medicines (St John’s wort, echinacea, quercetin, panax ginseng, berberine)

Alcohol & Driving

Midazolam Injection can significantly affect your ability to drive and operate machinery, and alcohol can increase these effects and other side effects.

Alcohol

Do not drink alcohol for at least 12 hours after receiving Midazolam Injection. Alcohol can increase the risk of side effects including difficulty breathing and prolonged sedation.

Driving and Operating Machinery

After receiving Midazolam Injection, you may be drowsy or not fully alert. Your ability to drive or operate machinery may be affected for some time. You should arrange to be accompanied home by a responsible adult and ask your doctor when you can return to activities such as driving.

Caffeine Consumption

Consuming caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks, chocolate) may interfere with Midazolam Injection. Check with your doctor or nurse before consuming anything containing caffeine.

Storage

Midazolam Injection is stored in the pharmacy or hospital ward under proper conditions by healthcare professionals. Hospital staff will dispose of any leftover medication appropriately.

Overdose Information

Since Midazolam Injection is given under close medical supervision, overdose is very unlikely. However, if too much is given, you may feel drowsy, tired, confused, dizzy, weak, experience behavioral changes, or become unconscious. Your healthcare team will carefully monitor your condition and tell them immediately if you have concerns about receiving too much medication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Midazolam Injection works quickly as it is given directly into your bloodstream through injection or infusion. Your healthcare team will monitor you to ensure the medication is working effectively for your procedure or treatment.

Midazolam belongs to the benzodiazepine class of medications, and dependence is listed as a potential side effect. However, since it’s only given by healthcare professionals for specific medical procedures, the risk is managed through proper medical supervision.

No, you must not drink alcohol for at least 12 hours after receiving Midazolam Injection. Alcohol can increase the risk of serious side effects including difficulty breathing and prolonged sedation.

You should not drive until your doctor says it’s safe. After receiving Midazolam Injection, you may be drowsy or not fully alert, and your ability to drive may be affected for some time. Arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you home.

Elderly patients have an increased risk for falls and fractures when using this type of medicine, especially if taking other sedatives. Your healthcare team will carefully consider these risks and monitor you closely during treatment.

Tell your doctor about all medical conditions (especially epilepsy, sleep apnea, kidney, liver, heart, or breathing problems), all medications and supplements you take, any history of alcohol or drug abuse, and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.