Midazolam Side Effects

Please note - some side effects for Midazolam may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Midazolam - for the Consumer

Midazolam

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Midazolam:

Blurred vision; changes in blood pressure, breathing, and heartbeats; coughing; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; hiccups; low blood pressure (children); nausea; pain during injection; pain, redness, or tenderness at the injection site; short-term memory loss; slurred speech; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; chest pain; combativeness; irregular breathing patterns; pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; slow or difficult breathing; unusual or involuntary muscle movements or muscle tremor.

Midazolam Syrup

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Midazolam Syrup:

Dizziness; drowsiness; nausea; short-term memory loss; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; chest pain; combativeness; hyperactivity; irregular breathing patterns; prolonged drowsiness; skipped heartbeats; slow or fast heartbeat; slow or difficult breathing; seizure; severe dizziness; unusual or involuntary muscle movements or muscle tremor.

Side Effects by Body System

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects, which have included cardiorespiratory depression, apnea, and respiratory arrest, are extensions of the drugs pharmacologic activity.

Personnel and equipment necessary for the treatment of respiratory depression and arrest should be immediately available whenever midazolam is administered.

One retrospective study has reported that the frequency of respiratory arrest (in non-ventilated patients) is 0.099%. This study reported that respiratory arrest was associated with high doses of midazolam, concurrent administration of opiates, and advanced age.

Another study has reported that midazolam causes a decrease in tidal volume, an increase in breathing frequency and no change in minute ventilation in healthy volunteers. That study, however, did report a significant increase in CO2 retention following midazolam administration.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects including alterations in blood pressure, arrhythmias, and ventricular irritability have been reported. Hypotension and decreases in systemic vascular resistance have been reported most frequently; however many investigators have reported minimal cardiovascular effects following administration of midazolam.

Local

Local side effects at the site of injection (local flare reactions, pain, burning, phlebitis, local irritation and swelling) have been reported in up to 12% of patients. Vascular impairment after inadvertent intra-arterial injection is a theoretic concern.

Although local effects have been reported frequently, many clinicians believe that midazolam is the least likely of the commonly available injectable benzodiazepines to result in local reactions.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects including nausea, vomiting, and hiccups have each been reported in about 3% of treated patients.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included acute dystonia. One study (n=113) has reported that orally administered midazolam produced significant anterograde amnesia when administered as early as ten minutes before a surgical procedure.

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects have included a variety of adverse behavioral effects such as disinhibition (especially sexual disinhibition), hostility, rage reactions, restlessness, aggressiveness, and paroxysmal excitement.

Other

Other side effects including cases of benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms (myalgias, tachycardia, and anxiety) have been reported in patients who have received multiple or continuous doses of midazolam. In such patients, abrupt discontinuation is not recommended.

Immunologic

Immunologic side effects including pruritus, angioedema, and bronchoconstriction have been reported rarely.

Endocrine

Endocrine side effects have included decreases in the secretion of cortisol and insulin.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.