Midazolam

Midazolam may cause serious or life-threatening breathing problems. You will be monitored carefully during your procedure. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any medications for pain or cough.

Talk to your doctor about the risk of taking midazolam.

Midazolam is given before medical procedures or before anesthesia for surgery to cause drowsiness, relieve anxiety, and avoid any memory of the event. Midazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by slowing activity in the brain to allow relaxation and sleep.

Midazolam comes as a syrup to take by mouth. A doctor or nurse will give a single dose before a medical procedure or surgery.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before you receive midazolam,

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this drug, any part of this drug, or any other drugs, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• some medications should not be taken with midazolam. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with midazolam. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before receiving midazolam with your doctor and pharmacist.
• the following nonprescription or herbal products may interact with midazolam: cimetidine, St. John's wort. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you receive midazolam.
• tell your doctor if you have glaucoma. Your doctor may decide not to give you midazolam.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are or may be pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
• you should know that midazolam may make you very drowsy and may affect memory, thinking, and movements. Do not ride a bicycle, drive a car, or do other activities that require you to be fully alert for at least 24 hours after receiving midazolam and until the effects of the medication have worn off. Be careful that you do not fall while walking during this time.
• talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages during your treatment with midazolam. Alcohol can make the side effects of midazolam worse.

Midazolam may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• nausea, vomiting
• rash

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• agitation, restlessness, uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body, stiffening and jerking of the arms and legs
• slow or irregular heartbeat

Midazolam may cause other side effects. Call yourdoctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• drowsiness, confusion
• problems with balance and movement
• slowed breathing and heartbeat
• loss of consciousness

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions about midazolam.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

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