Midazolam is a drug known commonly by its trade name, Versed. Midazolam is thought to work mainly by blocking certain brain receptors called GABA receptors. Because it has many favorable properties including quick onset and a short duration of action, midazolam is a preferred sedative drug in many countries around the world.

Midazolam’s effects include:
Sedation (drowsiness or sleepiness)
Decreases anxiety
Amnesia, temporarily decreasing the brain’s ability to form new memories (”anterograde amnesia”)

Depending on the dose given, midazolam can produce mild, moderate, or deep sedation.
Midazolam is not a pain-relieving drug.

Midazolam is a very safe and effective drug but, like any medication, has potential side effects.

Delirium and Confusion - In certain patients midazolam may produce unusual behavior and loss of control, not unlike the effects of alcohol. In some patients, particularly the elderly, confusion or difficulty with thinking that outlasts the medical or surgical procedure may be experienced during recovery in the hospital and at home.

Amnesia - Most patients do not wish for awareness during surgery. The amnesia-producing effects of midazolam are therefore welcomed. A few patients seem to find the amnesia from midazolam unpleasant. However the amnestic properties of midazolam are not unique and are shared with other drugs in its class (benzodiazepines) as well as other sedatives (e.g. propofol) and anesthetic gases.

Allergies or Intolerance - Allergy to midazolam is rare. Tell your doctor if you have ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to midazolam or any other benzodiazepines.

Pregnancy and Breast-Feeding - Other benzodiazepines have been associated with increased risk of birth defects when used in early pregnancy. You should discuss breast-feeding with your doctor because midazolam can be excreted in breast milk.

Tags: Allergies or Intolerance, Amnesia, Benzodiazepines, Blocking certain brain receptors, delirium, Drug, Effects of Midazolam's, Midazolam, Pain-relieving drug, Versed

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 at 10:44 am and is filed under Affective Disorders. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.