Midazolam may cause serious or life-threatening breathing problems such as shallow, slowed, or temporarily stopped breathing. Your child should only receive this medication in a hospital or doctor's office that has the equipment that is needed to monitor his or her heart and lungs and to provide life-saving medical treatment quickly if his or her breathing slows or stops. Your child's doctor or nurse will watch your child closely after he or she receives this medication to make sure that he or she is breathing properly. Tell your child's doctor if your child has a severe infection or if he or she has or has ever had any airway or breathing problems or heart or lung disease. Tell your child's doctor and pharmacist if your child is taking any of the following medications: antidepressants; barbiturates such as secobarbital (Seconal); droperidol (Inapsine); medications for anxiety, mental illness, or seizures; narcotic medications for pain such as fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze, others), morphine (Avinza, Kadian, MS Contin, others), and meperidine (Demerol); sedatives; sleeping pills; or tranquilizers.
Midazolam is given to children before medical procedures or before anesthesia for surgery to cause drowsiness, relieve anxiety, and prevent any memory of the event. Midazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by slowing activity in the brain to allow relaxation and sleep.
Midazolam comes as a syrup to take by mouth. It is usually given as a single dose by a doctor or nurse before a medical procedure or surgery.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your child's doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Before your child receives midazolam,
Do not let your child eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medication.
Midazolam may cause side effects. Tell your child's doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Some side effects can be serious. If your child experiences any of these symptoms, call his or her doctor immediately:
Midazolam may cause other side effects. Call your child's doctor if your child has any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at Web Site] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
Keep all appointments with your child's doctor.
Ask your child's pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions about midazolam.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines your child is taking, as well as many products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time your child visits a doctor or if he or she is admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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