midazolam + morphine

The combination of midazolam and morphine refers to a specific sedative and analgesic regimen evaluated by Radboud University Medical Center for the management of critically ill, mechanically ventilated children. Midazolam is a short-acting benzodiazepine that functions as a sedative-hypnotic by enhancing the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA at the GABA-A receptor. Morphine is a potent opioid analgesic that acts primarily as an agonist at the mu-opioid receptor to provide pain relief. In the clinical trial context (NCT00986258), researchers investigated the 'Daily Interruption of Sedatives' (DIS) protocol, which involves the systematic daily cessation of these continuous infusions. The goal of this strategy is to reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation and the length of stay in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) by allowing for regular neurological assessment and minimizing drug accumulation, while carefully monitoring for adverse events such as withdrawal or accidental extubation.

Other names

daily interruption of sedativessedatives-Radboud University Medical Center-critical illnessmidazolam and morphine infusion