Midazolam

Pronounced mid-AZ-oh-lam

Brand names: Versed

Type: Benzodiazepine (sedative) · All Mental Health Medicines

What Midazolam is used for

  • Sedation for procedures and surgery
  • Prolonged seizures (hospital and rescue forms)
  • Agitation in intensive care

◆ Kidney note

Its active breakdown product builds up in kidney failure, prolonging sedation — infusions are watched closely in kidney disease.

Common side effects

  • Drowsiness
  • Amnesia for the procedure
  • Slowed breathing
  • Low blood pressure

Important cautions

  • Given in monitored settings because it can stop breathing, especially combined with opioids

How it comes

Injection (hospital), nasal spray, liquid. This guide lists forms only — it never lists strengths or doses.

Please note: This page is a patient-education summary, not medical advice, and it deliberately contains no doses. Medicines affect everyone differently — always follow your own prescription and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.