provider image
Welcome! You’re in GoodRx for healthcare professionals. Now, you’ll enjoy a streamlined experience created specifically for healthcare professionals.
Skip to main content

midazolam

Generic Versed
Used for Anxiety, Sedation
Used for Anxiety, Sedation

Midazolam is used for sedation before surgery and other medical procedures in children and adults, as well as treatment for status epilepticus (long-lasting seizures) in adults. It comes as an injection and oral syrup. The medication is typically given by a healthcare provider in a monitored setting and can't be used at home. Some side effects of midazolam include nausea, agitation, drowsiness, and pain at the injection site for the injection form. And although the brand name Versed has been discontinued, there are many generics still available.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Hope Chang, PharmD, AAHIVP
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on April 26, 2023
BasicsWarningsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsDosageInteractionsContraindicationsAlternativesReferencesPricesMedicare
Midazolam is a controlled substance, which means that it's more likely to be misused or cause dependence. There are federal and state laws that limit the amount of medication that can be prescribed or dispensed within a certain period of time.
basics-icon

What is Midazolam?

What is Midazolam used for?

  • Sedation for surgery or other medical procedure

  • Long-lasting seizure (status epilepticus) - Seizalam

How Midazolam works

Midazolam is a fast-acting benzodiazepine. It slows down activity in your brain and spinal cord and causes sedation, anxiety relief, and memory loss (amnesia) for a short period of time.

The way it works to treat long-lasting seizures isn't fully known, but it's thought to involve slowing down signals in the brain.

Are you looking for information on Nayzilam (midazolam nasal spray) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsSeizalam
Drug ClassBenzodiazepine
Controlled Substance ClassificationSchedule IV
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
warings-icon

What are the risks and warnings for Midazolam?

Midazolam can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

risk-warning

Severe difficulty breathing

  • Risk factors: Taking midazolam with opioids, alcohol, or other sedating medications | History of breathing problems

    Midazolam can cause severe drowsiness, tiredness, and trouble breathing. This can be worse if opioid medications are also used for the procedure. If you're receiving midazolam for sedation before a procedure, your care team will start the medication in small doses and will monitor your breathing very carefully.

    risk-warning

    Continued memory problems after procedure

    You might have memory problems and feel drowsy or "out of it" for a few hours after your procedure. If you're not admitted to the hospital, you'll most likely need someone to drive you home and take care of you. You might also feel dizzy and uncoordinated, which raises your risk of falls. Don't drive or operate machinery until the effects of midazolam have worn off or until after 1 day after the procedure, whichever is longer.

    risk-warning

    Harm to unborn baby if used in late pregnancy

    Midazolam can cause harm to your unborn baby if the medication is used late in pregnancy. Babies whose mothers have taken benzodiazepines during pregnancy have experienced trouble breathing, extreme sleepiness, and withdrawal symptoms right after birth. If you're planning to conceive or are already pregnant, let your healthcare provider know so they can make adjustments.

    risk-warning

    Worsening of glaucoma

    Midazolam can raise pressure in the eye, which could worsen glaucoma. Tell your provider if you've ever been told you have glaucoma so they can make sure this medication is safe for you.

    basics-icon

    What are the side effects of Midazolam?

    The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

    Common Side Effects

    Oral syrup
    • Vomiting (8%)
    • Nausea (4%)
    Injection for sedation
    • Pain at injection site (4-5%)
    • Hiccups (4%)
    • Nausea (3%)
    • Vomiting (3%)
    Injection for long-lasting seizure
    • Upper airway blockage (5%)
    • Agitation (4%)
    • Fever (4%)
    • Confusion (3%)

    Other Side Effects

    • Drowsiness
    • Headache
    • Coughing

    Serious Side Effects

    Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
    • Severe difficulty breathing

    Source: DailyMed

    The following side effects have also been reported

    Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

    Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

    Less common

    Aggressiveness

    agitation

    anxiety

    choking

    confusion

    decreased awareness or responsiveness

    decreased urine output

    difficulty walking, speaking, or writing

    discouragement

    dizziness

    feeling sad or empty

    fever

    headache

    irritability

    lack of appetite

    loss of bladder or bowel control

    loss of consciousness

    loss of interest or pleasure

    memory loss

    muscle twitching

    nausea

    nightmares or unusually vivid dreams

    rapid weight gain

    seizures

    severe sleepiness

    strong urge to urinate

    swelling of the face, ankles, or hands

    thirst

    trouble concentrating

    trouble sleeping

    trouble breathing

    unable to speak

    unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

    Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

    Symptoms of overdose

    Lack of coordination

    relaxed and calm feeling

    Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

    Less common

    Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site

    Rare

    Muscle stiffness

    Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

    Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    pros-and-cons

    Pros and cons of Midazolam

    thumbs-up

    Pros

    Works within minutes to help you relax and feel calm before a medical procedure

    Available as an injection and an oral syrup

    Can be used in young children for sedation before a procedure

    thumbs-down

    Cons

    Risk of severe breathing problems so it should only be used in a healthcare facility

    Can cause hangover effect and raise the risk of falls

    Not safe to use late in pregnancy

    pharmacist-tips

    Pharmacist tips for Midazolam

    pharmacist

    • Because of the risk of severe breathing problems, midazolam oral syrup and injections should only be given by a trained healthcare provider right before a procedure or to treat a long-lasting seizure. You won't be able to use this on your own.

      • You might feel really drowsy after your procedure, and the effects of midazolam could last for several hours. If you're going home right after your procedure, make sure you have a ride and someone who can take care of you.

        • Many medications can interact with midazolam, especially ones that can make you dizzy or drowsy like other benzodiazepines or opioids. Don't take any additional medications unless your healthcare provider says it's okay.

          • Interestingly, some people have experienced agitation and uncontrollable muscle movements (e.g., tremor) after taking midazolam. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for any of these side effects.

            • Tell your provider if you're breastfeeding, since midazolam can pass into breast milk and cause drowsiness and poor feeding in babies. Your healthcare provider might recommend that you pump and throw away your breastmilk for at least 4 to 8 hours after receiving midazolam to reduce exposure to your baby.

              faqs

              Frequently asked questions about Midazolam

              Is midazolam a benzodiazepine?
              Yes, midazolam belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines. These medications help slow down activity in the brain and are used for many different conditions. Midazolam injection and oral syrup are only FDA approved to cause sedation before medical procedures and to treat seizures.
              How does midazolam make you feel?
              Midazolam will make you feel relaxed and drowsy. It might also cause some temporary memory loss. So, even if you're awake during your procedure, you might not remember what happened after the medication wears off.
              What does midazolam do for seizures?
              Midazolam is available as a nasal spray (Nayzilam) and intramuscular (IM) injection (Seizalam) for the treatment of seizures. It helps slow down activity in the brain to help stop seizures. Nayzilam is FDA approved to treat seizure attacks, whereas Seizalam is approved to treat long-lasting seizures. Ask your healthcare provider if you have more questions about midazolam and how it treats seizures.
              How long does midazolam last?
              Midazolam typically lasts in your system for a few hours. When used before procedures, you should recover within 2 hours. But, it could take up to 6 hours or longer, and other medications used for sedation might make the effects last longer. Some people will experience a hangover effect from anesthesia for up to a full day after surgery. Plan your day accordingly so you don't have to drive, bike, or operate machinery until the effects have worn off.
              Can you drink alcohol after midazolam?
              It's best to avoid alcohol after taking midazolam. Alcohol has many of the same side effects as midazolam, such as dizziness and drowsiness. This can raise your risk of falls and might slow down your recovery process. The combination could also lead to life-threatening breathing problems.
              Can midazolam be given orally?
              Yes. Midazolam is available as an oral syrup that can be used for sedation before medical procedures. This form is especially helpful for children.
              Can midazolam be used during pregnancy?
              Let your provider know if you're pregnant before any procedure. Midazolam might harm your unborn baby. When it's used during late pregnancy, it could cause your baby to experience breathing problems and/or withdrawal symptoms like tremors and feeding difficulty.
              GoodRxEducationalIcon

              How to save using GoodRx

              Compare Prices
              1. Compare PricesSpecify your dosage and quantity to find out exactly how much you can save.
              Select your free coupon
              2. Select your free couponYou can use the displayed coupon, or compare prices at other pharmacies near you.
              Show coupon to your pharmacist
              3. Show coupon to your pharmacistPresent your printed or electronic coupon when you pick up your prescription.
              Get free couponLearn more
              dosage

              Midazolam dosage forms

              bottle of syrup
              Bottle of syrup
              DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
              118ml of 2mg/ml1 bottle$29.22$29.22

              Typical dosing for Midazolam

              Midazolam is available as an intravenous (IV) injection, intramuscular (IM) injection, and oral syrup that's administered by a healthcare provider.

              The dose depends on your weight, dosage form you're using, and the reason you're taking it (e.g., type of medical procedure, long-lasting seizure).

              interactions

              Interactions between Midazolam and other drugs

              Midazolam may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Midazolam. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

              Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

              Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

              Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

              Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

              contraindications-icon

              Midazolam contraindications

              Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Midazolam will not be safe for you to take.
              alternatives

              What are alternatives to Midazolam?

              There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Midazolam. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
              Midazolam
              Used for:

              • Sedation for surgery or other medical procedure

              • Long-lasting seizure (status epilepticus) - Seizalam

              $29.22 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
              Propofol (Diprivan)
              Used for:
              View Prices

              Get savings updates for Midazolam

              Receive price alerts, news, and other messages from GoodRx about Midazolam and other healthcare topics and relevant savings offers.

              By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.

              References

              Best studies we found

              Bounds, C. G., et al. (2023). Benzodiazepines. StatPearls.

              Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). (2023). Midazolam.

              Hospira. (2023). MIDAZOLAM HYDROCHLORIDE injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

              View All References (3)

              Merdian Medical Technologies. (2023). SEIZALAM - midazolam hydrochloride injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

              Mother to Baby | Fact Sheets. (2023). Midazolam. National Library of Medicine.

              Padagis US. (2022). MIDAZOLAM HYDROCHLORIDE syrup [package insert]. DailyMed.

              GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
              Was this page helpful?

              Compare other Anxiety, Sedation drugs

              Midazolam vs AtivanMidazolam vs DiprivanMidazolam vs PropofolMidazolam vs XanaxAbilify vs Xanax
              View More

              Browse medications

              View All

              Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.