Midazolam Pregnancy and Breast Feeding Warnings
Midazolam is also known as: Versed
Overview
Midazolam Syrup has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Midazolam Syrup during pregnancy. Midazolam Syrup is not recommended for use during labor and delivery. Midazolam Syrup is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Midazolam Syrup, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
Midazolam Pregnancy Warnings
Midazolam has been assigned to pregnancy category D by the FDA. An increased risk of congenital malformations in humans has been suggested with use of other benzodiazepines. In addition, respiratory depression, decreased body temperature, decreased body tone and decreased arm recoil have been reported in the offspring of women who received midazolam before Cesarean section. Midazolam use is considered contraindicated during pregnancy.
The pharmacokinetic disposition of midazolam has been reported in pregnant women scheduled for elective Cesarean section. In such women, the volume of distribution averages 1.0 L/kg, the plasma clearance ranges from 11.5 to 13.9 mL/min/kg and the elimination half-life ranges from 0.8 to 1.7 hours. One report has suggested that, unlike women treated with diazepam, some women treated with midazolam as an adjuvant to regional anesthesia may not be able to recall the births of their babies.
Midazolam Lactation Warnings
Midazolam is excreted into human milk in very small amounts. Sedation is a theoretic concern but has not been reported. Midazolam is described by the American Academy of Pediatrics as a drug "whose effect on nursing infants is unknown but may be of concern".
One small study has reported the pharmacokinetic data of five lactating women who underwent premedication with midazolam before induction of anesthesia. In 24 hours of milk collection, an average of 0.005% (0.002% to 0.013%) of the maternal midazolam was collected in the milk representing an average of 0.009% of the elimination clearance of the drug. The author of the study concluded that the amount of midazolam excreted into the milk within 24 hours of induction of anesthesia provided insufficient justification to interrupt breast-feeding.
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