What does it do?

Midazolam is used to make you calm or sleepy before a medical or dental treatment.

Before you start

• Tell your doctor if you have heart or liver problems, sleep apnoea or a head injury.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

How should you take it?

Take midazolam as directed with a glass of water, usually 30 minutes before the treatment.

Can you take other medicines?

Some medicines available without a prescription may react with midazolam including:

• some antihistamines (may be in anti-allergy, anti-nausea and cough/cold medicines)
• fluconazole (e.g. Diflucan®) or miconazole (e.g. Daktarin Oral Gel®)

Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products (e.g. St John's wort, valerian) or recreational drugs.

What side effects might you notice?

Side Effects	Recommended action
Slow or shallow breathing, hard to wake up Trouble with speech or swallowing	Tell your nurse or doctor immediately
Mood changes, agitation, unusual behaviour or thinking, loss of coordination	Tell your doctor
Drowsiness, dizziness, trouble concentrating, confusion	May continue for up to 6 hours – don’t drive while feeling this way
Headache, memory loss Hiccups, nausea, vomiting	Tell your doctor if troublesome

If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other information:

• Midazolam may make you sleepy or dizzy and make it dangerous to drive, operate machinery or do other activities that require you to be alert. Arrange for someone to drive you home after your treatment. Avoid any alcohol or recreational drugs as they can increase these effects.
• If you still feel sleepy the next day, do not drive or operate machinery.
• Avoid grapefruit, grapefruit juice or sour/Seville oranges on the day of your treatment as they may increase the amount of midazolam in your body and make you more sleepy.