MIDAZOLAM HCL

Drug Name: MIDAZOLAM HCL

MIDAZOLAM HCL DESCRIPTION:
MIDAZOLAM - INJECTION (mid-AZE-oh-lam)

COMMON MIDAZOLAM HCL BRAND NAME(S):
Versed

MIDAZOLAM HCL SIDE EFFECTS:
Dizziness, headache and pain or redness at the injection site might occur. If these persist or worsen, notify your doctor. Report promptly any unusually slow or shallow breathing. Very unlikely but report promptly any unusually fast, slow or irregular heartbeat, fainting, confusion, mental/mood changes, trouble breathing, muscle twitching or uncontrolled movements. Seek immediate medical attention if an allergic reaction occurs, however unlikely. Symptoms include throat discomfort/difficulty breathing, skin rash, hives or itching. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE MIDAZOLAM HCL:
MIDAZOLAM HCL: MIDAZOLAM HCL is given slowly by vein (IV) or into a large muscle (IM). The dosage is adjusted for your medical history, age and type of medical procedure or condition being treated. Drowsiness (sedative) effects usually are obvious within 15 minutes. The length of time before drug effects wear off varies considerably. Flumazenil is a medication that may be used to reverse the sedative effect of MIDAZOLAM HCL.

MIDAZOLAM HCL WARNING:
Rapid intravenous (IV) use of midazolam can cause severe breathing problems which could cause brain damage or be fatal if left untreated. Therefore, when using MIDAZOLAM HCL IV it must be used only under close medical supervision. Children, infants, elderly or weak patients are more sensitive to the effects of midazolam. Thus, lower doses should be used for these patients or when other sedating drugs are used with midazolam. Newborns must not be given midazolam by rapid IV injection.

MIDAZOLAM HCL USES:
Midazolam is used before operations or procedures to relax you, make you sleepy and to decrease your memory of the event.

OTHER USES OF MIDAZOLAM HCL:
MIDAZOLAM HCL may also be used to treat seizures.

MIDAZOLAM HCL PRECAUTIONS:
Before using MIDAZOLAM HCL, tell your doctor your medical history, including any allergies (especially drug allergies), heart, kidney, liver or lung disease or narrow-angle glaucoma. Avoid alcohol while using MIDAZOLAM HCL. Side effects may be aggravated. Do not drive or use hazardous machinery until the effects of the drug have disappeared (e.g., drowsiness). MIDAZOLAM HCL is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using MIDAZOLAM HCL. MIDAZOLAM HCL is excreted into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast- feeding. Caution is advised when MIDAZOLAM HCL is used in the elderly as elderly patients are usually more sensitive to its effects.

MIDAZOLAM HCL DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may use, especially other drugs that may make you drowsy, such as medicines for sleep, sedatives, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., morphine, codeine), psychiatric medicines, other anti-anxiety drugs, anti-seizure drugs, certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine) and other muscle relaxants. Also, ulcer drugs (H2 blockers such as cimetidine), theophylline or aminophylline and erythromycin. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

MIDAZOLAM HCL OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include confusion, slow reflexes, clumsiness, deep sleep, and loss of consciousness.

MIDAZOLAM HCL NOTES:
Tests such as breathing rate and blood pressure are done periodically during treatment.

MISSED MIDAZOLAM HCL DOSE:
If you miss a dose, contact your doctor to establish a new dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the doses.

MIDAZOLAM HCL STORAGE:
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.