midazolam

Midazolam is a short-acting benzodiazepine used primarily for sedation, anesthesia induction and maintenance, procedural sedation, and the treatment of acute seizures. It acts as a central nervous system depressant with sedative, anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), amnestic (impairing memory), muscle relaxant, hypnotic (sleep-inducing), and anticonvulsant properties. The drug works by enhancing the inhibitory action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at GABA A receptors in the brain. This potentiation increases chloride ion influx into neurons leading to hyperpolarization and reduced neuronal excitability[1][3][5]. Midazolam is commonly administered intravenously or orally before medical procedures to induce relaxation or sleepiness and prevent memory formation of the event[7]. It is also used in intensive care settings for sedation of intubated patients and as an emergency treatment for status epilepticus[4][8].

Brand names

VersedNayzilamSeizalamDormicumHypnovelEpistatus

Other names

midazolammidazolam HCl