Midazolam (Versed)
Classification:
Benzodiazepine.
| 
 Route  | 
 Onset of Action  | 
 Peak Effect  | 
 Duration of Action  | 
|---|---|---|---|
| 
 IV  | 
 1 minute  | 
 3-5 minutes  | 
 15min. – 6hours  | 
| 
 IM  | 
 5-15 minutes  | 
 15-60 minutes  | 
 2-6 hours  | 
| 
 Oral  | 
 < 10 minutes  | 
 30 minutes  | 
 2-6 hours  | 
Dosage / Administration
- Midazolam (Versed) is a very potent short acting drug that must be given slowly. I administration over at least two minutes is recommended.
 
- Dilution: May dilute to desired concentration with D5W or Ns. Recommend concentration of 0.25 mg/ml, with administration rate no faster than 0.5 mg over 2 minutes.
 
Adult Dose:
Initial dose of 0.5mg IV over 2-minutes just before beginning of procedure. Must titrate to effect (slurred speech) by giving additional IV doses over 2 minutes. In general, do not exceed total dose of 3.0 mg,
- 
You may continue to titrate higher doses if needed to obtain effect. Wait at least 2 minutes after each administration of medication to determine effect.
 
Geriatric or patients with impaired pulmonary/hepatic function:
- 
Initial dose 0.25mg-0.5mg IV over 2 minutes. Maximum total dose is 2.0 mg. Titrate to effect.
 
Pediatric:
- 0.025 – 0.05 mg/kg IV over 2 minutes. Maximum total dose 0.1 mg /kg. Titrate to effect.
 
Contraindications:
- Do not give midazolam to persons with known hypersensitivities to the drug.
 
- Do not give to patients with acute narrow-angle glaucoma and shock.
 
- Reduce dosage for patients with alcohol intoxication, or history of COPD.
 
Adverse Reactions:
- Respiratory effects – Respiratory depression, apnea, coughing, bronchospasm
 
- Cardiovascular effects – Cardiac arrest, hypotension, bradycardia, PVC's, Tachycardia
 
- CNS effect – Urticaria
 
- GI effects – Nausea, vomiting, uticaria, hiccups
 
- Special Considerations – Pain at injection site.
 
Reversal:
Flumazenil (Romazicon) will reverse the respiratory effects of midazolam overdose.