Midazolam should be used only by specialists trained in the method of its administration, and also capable of providing resuscitative care, the necessity of which can arise when some unwanted drug drug reactions occur. With the use of midazolam, serious adverse drug reactions have been reported, including respiratory depression, apnea, respiratory arrest, and / or cardiac arrest. The likelihood of such life-threatening conditions is higher with a high rate of administration or a high dose of the drug. Particular caution should be exercised when used as sedation in patients with impaired breathing function.
Children under the age of 6 months are particularly susceptible to airway obstruction and hypoventilation, so in these cases, the dose is increased gradually until the clinical effect is achieved, carefully monitoring the respiratory rate and oxygen saturation of the blood.
When using midazolam for premedication, the patient should be under constant monitoring, as there is a risk of overdose with other drugs.
Particular caution should be exercised when assigning midazolam to specific patient groups:
- Patients over 60 years of age;
- Patients with severe general condition or chronic diseases (eg, chronic respiratory failure, chronic renal failure, hepatic or heart failure);
- Children, especially with concomitant cardiovascular diseases. The dose in such patients should be reduced, and they should be under constant monitoring for deterioration of vital functions. Caution should be exercised when benzodiazepines are prescribed to patients with alcoholism or drug addiction (including history).
As with other drugs, depressing the central nervous system and (or) possessing muscle relaxant properties, caution should be exercised when using midazolam in patients with myasthenia gravis.
Addiction
There are reports of some loss of efficiency when midazolam was administered for prolonged sedation in intensive care units.
Addiction
With long-term use of midazolam (long-term sedation in intensive care units), a physical
addiction. Its risk increases with increasing dose and duration of treatment, it is also higher in patients with alcoholism and (or) drug addiction in the history.
Withdrawal of symptoms
During long-term treatment with midazolam in the intensive care unit, the development of psychophysical dependence is possible. Thus, with the sudden cancellation of treatment, withdrawal may develop, which can be manifested by the following symptoms: headache, muscle pain, anxiety, tension, agitation, confusion, irritability, "ricochet" insomnia, mood swings, hallucinations and convulsions. To avoid the syndrome of "cancellation," it is recommended that the dose be gradually reduced until it is discontinued.
Amnesia
Midazolam may cause anterograde amnesia (often a desirable effect, for example, before and during surgical and diagnostic procedures), the duration of which is directly proportional to the dose administered. For ambulatory patients discharged immediately after the operation, prolonged amnesia can cause inconvenience, so after parenteral administration of midazolam, the patient should be discharged only accompanied by medical personnel or persons close to him. Paradoxical reactions
When using midazolam, paradoxical reactions were recorded: agitation,involuntary movements (including tonic-clonic convulsions and muscle tremors), hyperactivity, hostility, outbursts of anger, aggressiveness, paroxysmal anxiety and attacks. These reactions occur with the administration of high doses and (or) with the rapid administration of the drug. The highest frequency of these reactions is observed in children and the elderly.
Modified Midazolam Activity
The activity of midazolam may be altered in patients using inducers or inhibitors of the CYP3A4 isoenzyme, so there may be a need for correcting the dose of midazolam (see "Interaction with other drugs").
Metabolism of midazolam may be slowed in patients with hepatic insufficiency, low cardiac output, and in newborns (see the section "Pharmacokinetics"),
Preterm and term infants
Because of the increased risk of developing apnea, it is advisable to exercise extreme caution when used in non-intubated premature or full-term newborns. In these cases, careful monitoring of respiratory rate and oxygen saturation of blood is necessary. Rapid administration of the drug is not recommended.Due to underdevelopment of metabolic functions of newborns, they are also susceptible to respiratory depression. In children with cardiovascular diseases to prevent the worsening of the condition, the drug should be administered slowly.
Children under 6 months of age
It is not recommended to use the drug to achieve sedation and premedication in children younger than 6 months.
Children under the age of 6 months are particularly susceptible to airway obstruction and hypoventilation, so increase the dose in small steps. In addition, careful monitoring of the respiratory rate and oxygen saturation of blood is necessary (see also subsection "Premature and full-term newborns").
In children younger than 6 months, as well as with a body weight of less than 15 kg, the use of a solution with a concentration above 1 mg / ml is not recommended. Higher concentrations should be diluted to 1 mg / ml.
When used in children's practice, it must be remembered that intramuscular injection is painful.
Simultaneous use of alcohol and (or) drugs that oppress the central nervous system. It is necessary to avoid the simultaneous use of midazolam with alcohol or drugs that depress the central nervous system.Such use may increase the clinical effects of midazolam and lead to severe sedation or clinically significant respiratory depression (see "Interactions with Other Drugs" section).
Alcoholism or drug addiction
In patients with alcoholism or drug addiction, a history of midazolam and other benzodiazepine derivatives should be avoided.
Extract from the treatment and prophylactic institution
After the completion of the necessary procedures the patient should be observed until the full restoration of consciousness and motor abilities, the patient must be discharged in the company of persons close to him.
The drug contains 3.16 mg / ml sodium, which may be important for patients on a hyponatrial diet.
During the treatment period, you can not take ethanol, especially in the first 6 hours after taking the drug.