Midazolam, a powerful sedative

Midazolam, better known as Dormicum, It is a very used medication, but there are those who are not very clear for what is used, what are its effects and why use this medication and not other similar such as Lorazepam or Diazepam. In this post we want to end all those doubts. Go for it!

Content

• What is Midazolam
• Uses of Midazolam
• Side effects of the use of Midazolam
  • Bibliographic references

What is Midazolam

Midazolam is a type of benzodiazepine. These are medications with psychoactive effects, which are used to treat anxiety, among many other things. They are within the so -called "minor tranquilizers", which are different from the so -called older soators, also known as anxiolytics.

It has sedative, hypnotic, anticonvulsive, muscular and even anxiolytical relaxing effects. They are ideal for treating agitation, insomnia or some abstinence syndromes, among many others.

Benzodiazepine are classified into three types, depending on the duration of their effects:

• Short action: between 1 and 12 hours. They are not suitable for anxiety disorders that have been happening for a long time. On the contrary, they are those that act more quickly in situations that need an immediate response, such as anxiety or insomnia crisis.
• Of intermediate action: between 12 and 40 hours. Although they act quickly, they do not do so in a way as instantaneous as those of short action. It is adequate in bridge or intermediate situations.
• Prolonged action: between 40 and 250 hours. They are perfect for treating anxiety disorders. However, we must bear in mind that their remains remain in the body, which can cause sedative effects due to the accumulation of such waste.

These medications They act on the neurotransmitters of the brain and on the central nervous system. They are indirect agonists of gamma-aminobutiric acid, better known as GABA. It is a neurotransmitter that helps brain management.

This type of medication causes GABA to have an even greater influence on the system. The consequence is that it has a very direct influence on the treatment of anxiety, since it lowers the levels of activation that cause anxiety symptoms.

Uses of Midazolam

This powerful drug is mostly used in clinical and hospitable environment to cause a more or less deep sedation in cases of certain medical interventions that generate discomfort or pain, such as digestive endoscopies (gastroscopies, colonoscopies and others), bronchoscopies, small surgeries and Other more or less invasive procedures that, in principle do not require a general anesthesia, but of a superficial sedation to avoid discomfort. It is also administered as an adjudor to general anesthesia. In these cases, his administration is innovative and must always be supervised by an anesthetist doctor.

In the form of a pill is used less and first of all, it must be said that these types of medications should always be prescribed by a doctor. Therefore, if you have doubts about whether you should use it or not, It is best to go to a specialist who diagnoses the most appropriate treatment and the recommended doses.

In any case, these medications are used to treat:

1. Anxiety episodes: This is perhaps the type of disorder that leads to the use of Midazolam. Keep in mind that this is a quick action medication, so it is perfect in those cases in which anxiety springs with special virulence.
2. Insomnia: There are many types of insomnia, and Midazolam is not intended for all of them. When it is useful, it is in those cases in which the problem is in the difficulty in reconciling sleep. Its sedative effects help end that problem.
3. Seizures and motor agitation: In cases of seizure episodes, the inhibition of neuronal excitation that these medications carry out is a great way to end them or mitigate them.

Side effects of the use of Midazolam

Like any other medicine, Midazolam has side effects. That does not mean that anyone who takes it will suffer all, but Some person in some cases may suffer one or more of those symptoms.

The most prominent are the following:

• Addiction: This is undoubtedly the most dangerous, since it usually happens. Therefore, you never have to end them sharply, but with a gradual reduction of the doses.
• Overdose: an overdose of this type of medicines can become very serious, although it is not usually fatal. The indicated doses should never be exceeded.
• Abstinence syndrome: related to the addiction that creates. If it ends with him abruptly, insomnia bounces, headaches or even anxiety may appear.
• Dream, discomfort, stunning: One of the most common side effects of Midazolam is the feeling of sedation that is. Keep in mind that one of its objectives is sedating and reassuring, so it seems logical that symptoms may appear like this.
• Memory problems: Although it is not usual, it is true that consuming benzodiazepines can cause usual memory losses. Although it is not serious, it should be clear that it can happen.
• Opposite reaction: Nor is it usual, but sometimes these medications produce the opposite effect that is sought (especially in the elderly).
• You can make your breathing slower or stop it, Especially if the person has recently consumed a narcotic medicine (opioid).

For all this, Midazolam is administered mainly in hospitals, health centers or other clinical environment where their vital signs can be observed closely.

Bibliographic references

• Velázquez, a., & Carbajal, D. (2017). Basic and clinical pharmacology. Mexico: McGraw-Hill Education.
• Gálvez, J. TO., & Zeidan, A. (2019). Sedation and Analgesia in the Intensive Care Unit: The Role of Midazolam. Anesthesiology, 131 (2), 444-450.
• Katzung, b. G. (2019). Pharmacology Manual. Mexico: McGraw-Hill Education.
• Raval, a. D., & Khine, H. (2018). Midazolam in Pediatric Sedation: An Updated Perspective. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 52 (10), 1028-1037.
• Arreola Navarro, J. TO., & Castelazo Arredondo, to. (2018). Anesthesiology Manual. Mexico: Panamerican Medical.