Midazolam is used to help you fall asleep if you have a condition known as insomnia (difficulty sleeping).
This medicine may also be used in children to help relax during surgical procedures.
Midazolam may also be used to treat other conditions, as decided by your doctor.
Take Midazolam exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take Midazolam with or without food. If you are taking it as a sleeping pill, take it just before you go to bed.
If you have been taking Midazolam over a certain period of time, do not stop taking it suddenly as it may worsen your condition. Your doctor will reduce the dose of Midazolam gradually before stopping it completely. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
If you miss a dose, take it at your next scheduled dose.
However, if you are taking Midazolam as a sleeping pill, you may not need to take it every day. Take it only when you need it.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- narrow-angle glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
- lung disease
- myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness disorder)
- severe liver disease
as Midazolam may not be suitable for you.
Do not take Midazolam with medicines used to treat fungal infections, hepatitis, or depression, and certain antibiotics. Please see the section “Can I take this with other medicines?” below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart disease
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- lung or breathing problems
- if you are at risk of falls
- obesity
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Notify your doctor if you consume large amounts of alcohol or if you are a frequent drinker.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Practice good sleeping habits to reduce reliance on sleeping pills. These are some good sleeping habits which you should follow:
- Try to relax before bedtime. Do not engage in strenuous activities.
- Try to go to bed at about the same time every night.
- Have a light dinner. A heavy dinner may disturb your sleep.
- Avoid caffeine in the evening. Caffeine-containing food and drink include coffee, tea, certain soft drinks and even chocolate.
- Avoid drinking alcohol before bedtime.
- Keep your bedroom quiet, dark and airy.
- Avoid taking naps especially in the late afternoon.
Midazolam may cause sedation or concentration problems. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, vomiting, hiccups, cough and muscle weakness.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- confusion and hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not existent)
- unusual changes in mood or behaviour (being aggressive, agitated, or having compulsive and impulsive behaviour), thoughts of self-harm
- difficulty breathing, chest pain
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Midazolam if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines to treat fungal infections e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole
- boceprevir (medicine for hepatitis)
- nefazodone (medicine to treat depression)
- certain antibiotics e.g. clarithromycin, telithromycin
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- strong painkillers e.g. morphine, meperidine, fentanyl
- medicines to treat epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin
- medicines for HIV infection e.g. saquinavir
- medicine to treat TB (lung infection known as tuberculosis) e.g. rifampicin
- St. John's wort (herbal medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Midazolam.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol and excessive consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (more than 1 litre a day).
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Sign Out
