Midazolam 5mg/Ml Solution For Injection
PACKAGE LEAFLET INFORMATION FOR THE USER
Midazolam 5mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion Midazolam
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have further questions, please ask your doctor or nurse.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you personally and you should not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
The name of your medicine is Midazolam 5mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion. In the rest of this leaflet it is called Midazolam Injection.
In this leaflet:
1. What Midazolam Injection is and what it is used for
2. Before you are given Midazolam Injection
3. How Midazolam Injection should be given
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Midazolam Injection
6. Further information
1. WHAT MIDAZOLAM INJECTION IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
The active ingredient in Midazolam Injection is midazolam which belongs to a group of sedative medicines called benzodiazepines.
Midazolam Injection is used:
• for sedation before and during minor medical, dental or surgical procedures
• for sedation of patients in intensive care
• for pre-medication before surgery
• at the start of a general anaesthetic
2. BEFORE YOU ARE GIVEN MIDAZOLAM INJECTION
You should not be given Midazolam Injection if you:
• are allergic to midazolam or any of the other ingredients contained in Midazolam Injection
(see list under heading ‘What Midazolam Injection contains' in section 6)
• have severe breathing problems
• have severe liver problems.
If any of the above statements apply to you, you should not be given Midazolam Injection.
Speak to your doctor before you are given Midazolam Injection if you:
• are elderly
• are very run down and lack strength
• have problems with your liver, kidneys or lungs
• have a condition called myasthenia gravis which causes very weak muscles
• have a personality disorder, depression, aggressive tendencies or if you feel suicidal
• have had problems with addiction to drugs or alcohol
Special care should be taken if the patient is in a coma.
Taking other medicines
Taking another medicine while you are being given Midazolam Injection can affect how it or the other medicine works. Please inform your doctor or nurse if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, drugs or herbal medicines, including those you may have bought yourself without a prescription.
Please check with your doctor if you are taking or have been given any of the following (or any other medication):
Alcohol and smoking:
• alcohol
• disulfiram, a drug used for alcohol dependence
• nicotine, from smoking
Other medicines that cause sedation:
• sleeping tablets
• medicines used to treat anxiety e.g. other benzodiazepines
• medicines used to treat depression, such as nefazodone
• medicines for epilepsy, such as phenytoin
• some antihistamines, used to treat hayfever
• medicines used for mental illness, such as clozapine
• nabilone, used to treat vomiting due to cancer therapy
Medicines used during operations:
• anaesthetics
• certain pain killers (e.g. fentanyl) - If you take or are given these drugs you should have them before you receive your Midazolam Injection and will need to be carefully monitored for problems with your breathing and your heart
• medicines used to relax your muscles during an operation (e.g. baclofen)
Medicines that fight infections:
• antibiotics, used to treat bacterial infections, such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, quinupristin with dalfopristin
• drugs used to treat fungal infections, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole or fluconazole
• drugs used to treat virus infections, such as amprenavir or ritonavir used for HIV
• drugs used for tuberculosis, such as isoniazid or rifampicin
Other medicines:
• medicines to lower your blood pressure, such as to diltiazem, verapamil or moxonidine
• medicines used for pain relief and inflammation such as aspirin
• medicines used to treat stomach ulcers, such as cimetidine, ranitidine or omeprazole
• levodopa, a drug used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease
• theophylline, a drug used for asthma and lung disease
• probenecid, used for gout.
If you have any doubts about whether you should be given this medicine then discuss matters with your doctor.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
You should not usually be given Midazolam Injection if you are pregnant. If Midazolam Injection is given to women in the first three months of pregnancy, there is a small risk of congenital malformation in the baby particularly a split in the mouth (cleft palate). Infants born to mothers who are given Midazolam Injection during the late stages of pregnancy may experience withdrawal symptoms or slow development.
If your doctor has decided that you should be given this medicine during labour, your baby might have a low body temperature, floppiness, an abnormal heart rate and breathing or feeding difficulties.
If you wish to become pregnant, you should speak to your doctor about the use of Midazolam Injection.
Midazolam can enter breast milk. You should not be given Midazolam Injection if you are breast-feeding or wish to breast-feed.
Driving and operating machines
You should not drive or operate machinery for at least twelve hours after receiving Midazolam Injection.
You should speak to your doctor about driving if you also take other medicines that can cause sedation.
This medicine can affect your ability to drive.
Do not drive whilst taking this medicine until you know how this medicine affects you.
It may be an offence to drive if your ability to drive safely is affected.
There is further information for patients who are intending to drive in Great Britain - go to http://www.gov.uk/drug-driving-law
Alcohol and Midazolam Injection
You should not drink alcohol for at least eight hours before or after having an injection of midazolam.
Important information about the sodium content of Midazolam Injection
This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23mg) per ampoule, i.e. it is essentially ‘sodium-free'.
3. HOW MIDAZOLAM INJECTION SHOULD BE GIVEN
You will only be given Midazolam Injection in places with adequate resuscitation equipment and when there is a second member of staff present to help your doctor. Midazolam Injection will be given into a muscle (intramusular injection) or vein in your arm (intravenous injection) whilst you are lying down.
Your doctor will decide which dose is suitable for you. The dose used will depend on what the injection is being given for and on your general physical condition, age, weight, what other medicines you are taking and your response to the drug.
For sedation before and during minor surgery or dental procedures
Adults
The usual adult dose for sedation of adults before and during minor surgery or dental procedures is 2mg given into a vein over a period of 30 seconds. Further injections of 0.5 - 1mg may be given every two minutes until you are properly sedated. The total dose required is usually 2.5 to 7.5mg.
Elderly
The usual dose for the elderly is 1 to 1.5mg, given into a vein over a period of 30 seconds. Further 0.5 - 1mg injections may be given every two minutes until you are properly sedated.
Children
Midazolam Injection is not used in this way in children.
If you have kidney or liver disease
If you have kidney or liver disease you will be given a lower dose.
If you are in intensive care Adults, Elderly and Children
Small doses of 1 to 2mg may be given directly into a vein and repeated until sedation is achieved. For the elderly even smaller doses of 0.5 to 1mg may be adequate.
Alternatively you may be given 0.03 to 0.3mg/kg body weight over five minutes, followed by 0.03 to 0.2mg/kg body weight every hour given by continuous intravenous infusion (a continuous injection into a vein in your arm).
Patients who have kidney or liver disease, who have a low body temperature, or who are severely dehydrated
A smaller dose should be given.
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Product Summary
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Midazolam 5mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion
2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Midazolam 5mg/ml
Each 2ml ampoule contains 10mg midazolam.
Contains less than 1mmol sodium (23mg) per 2ml ampoule.
3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Solution for injection or infusion
4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indication
As intravenous sedative cover before and during minor medical, dental and surgical procedures such as gastroscopy, endoscopy, cystoscopy, bronchoscopy and cardiac catheterisation.
For sedation by intravenous injection (either continuous infusion or intermittent bolus injection) in critically ill patients in intensive care.
As an intramuscular premedication for patients with physical status ASA I-IV who are to undergo surgical procedures.
As an alternative intravenous agent for the induction of anaesthesia in high risk and elderly patients, especially where cardiovascular stability is of particular importance. Induction is more reliable when heavy opiate premedication has been administered or when Midazolam Injection is given with a narcotic analgesic such as fentanyl.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Dosage depends on the individual response, age and weight. Midazolam 5mg/ml may be given by intramuscular, intravenous or slow intravenous injection.
Intravenous sedation
One or more intravenous injections to be administered over a single operating session.
Dosage should be titrated according to an individual's response, age and weight. The end-point of this titration is dependent on the procedure. Full sedation will be evident by drowsiness and slurred speech, although a response to commands will be maintained.
Adults: 2mg, (0.4ml of 5mg/ml midazolam injection solution) over a period of 30 seconds initially
Elderly: 1 to 1.5mg (0.2-0.3ml of 5mg/ml midazolam injection solution) over a period of 30 seconds initially.
If adequate sedation is not achieved after two minutes, incremental doses of 0.5-1mg, (0.1-0.2ml of 5mg/ml midazolam injection solution) should be given until the desired level of sedation is achieved, usually at a total dose of 2.5-7.5mg (about 70 micrograms/kg) in adults.
Renal/hepatic impairment: Reduce dose
Children
Not recommended. Midazolam injection has not been evaluated as an intravenous sedative in children.
Combination therapy:-
If analgesia is provided by a narcotic analgesic, the analgesic should be administered first. The dose of midazolam injection should then be carefully titrated.
Low total doses of 1-2mg may be adequate with lower total doses of 0.5-1mg in the elderly.
Mode of administration:-
For the administration of midazolam injection the patient should be placed in a supine position and remain there throughout the procedure. Resuscitation facilities should always be available and a second person, fully trained in the use of such equipment, always be present. It is recommended that patients should remain under medical supervision until at least one hour has elapsed from the time of injection. They should always be accompanied home by a responsible adult.
Patients who have received only midazolam injection for iv sedation prior to minor procedures, should be warned not to drive or operate machinery for 12 hours. Where midazolam injection is used concurrently with other central nervous system depressants (e.g. potent analgesics) recovery may be prolonged. Patients should therefore be assessed carefully before being allowed to go home or resume normal activities.
Sedation in the critically ill patient:-Midazolam injection can be given intravenously by two methods for this purpose, either by continuous infusion or by intermittent bolus dose. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages and the appropriate method of giving midazolam injection will need to be determined for each patient.
The dose of midazolam injection needed to sedate critically ill patients varies considerably between patients. The dose should be titrated to the desired state of sedation. This will depend on clinical need, physical status, age and concomitant medication.
Midazolam injection can also be given in combination with an opioid. The opioid may be used for its analgesic effects or as an antitussive agent to help the patient tolerate the tracheal tube and ventilatory support.
Patients receiving midazolam injection for sedation in the intensive care situation should receive ventilatory support.
Safe use for midazolam for periods of over 14 days in duration has not been established in clinical trials.
Potential drug interactions:-
The critically ill patient is exposed to many drugs. Because of this, there is a potential for drug interactions. (Refer to Section 4.5 Interactions with other medicaments and other forms of interaction).
After prolonged iv administration of midazolam injection, abrupt discontinuation may be accompanied by withdrawal symptoms, therefore a gradual reduction of the drug is recommended.
Sedation by intermittent bolus dose in intensive care Midazolam injection only
The exact dose of midazolam needs to be titrated to the individual patient response. Small doses of midazolam 1.0-2.0mg can be given, and repeated, until the required degree of sedation is reached.
Midazolam injection and an opioid When midazolam and an opioid are used together, the opioid should be administered first. Both drugs need to be titrated to the individual patient's response and to the level of sedation thought to be necessary.
Small doses of midazolam 1-2mg (0.2-0.4ml of 5mg/ml midazolam injection solution) can be given, and repeated, until the required degree of sedation is reached. In the elderly, smaller doses as little as 0.5-1.0mg (0.1-0.2ml of 5mg/ml midazolam injection solution) may be adequate.
The use of these two groups of drugs can increase the risk of respiratory depression. If the patient is being given ventilatory support using a mode that depends upon some spontaneous effort by the patient, then the minute volume may decrease.
Sedation by continuous infusion in intensive care
Midazolam injection only
Adults, Elderly and children
For patients already sedated or anaesthetised after an
operation, a loading dose of midazolam is unnecessary.
In other situations a loading dose of 0.03-0.3mg/kg given over a five minute period is recommended, depending on the level of sedation required. The loading dose should be reduced or omitted in hypovolaemic, vasoconstricted or hypothermic patients, renal or hepatic impairment. Maintenance dose
A dose between 0.03-0.2mg/kg/hour is recommended, starting at the lower dose.
The dose should be reduced in hypovolaemic, vasoconstricted or hypothermic patients, renal or hepatic impairment.
Midazolam injection and an opioid When opioid analgesics are used, the rate of infusion of midazolam should be titrated carefully to the sedative needs of the patient. Low doses of midazolam 0.01 to 0.1mg/kg/hour may be used to start.
The use of these two groups of drugs can increase the risk of respiratory depression. If the patient is being given ventilatory support using a mode that depends upon some spontaneous effort by the patient, then the minute volume may decrease.
Whenever a continuous infusion of midazolam is used (with or without an opioid analgesic), its need should be assessed on a daily basis in order to reduce the risk of accumulation and prolonged recovery. Each day the infusion of midazolam should be stopped or its rate reduced and the patient seen to recover from its effect.
If recovery is prolonged (>2 hours) a lower dose should be used when it is restarted. A sedation score should be used routinely.
When midazolam has been given for a number of days and then gradually withdrawn, patients may be awake but show signs of residual sedation for the next 12 to 24 hours. This can cause difficulties because patients may not cough and expectorate well if they are then weaned from ventilatory support. However, while recovering from the effects of midazolam, patients may not be sufficiently sedated to tolerate ventilatory support. In such circumstances sedation may be provided with a shorter acting agent while there is recovery from the effects of midazolam.
The recommended concentration of a solution for infusion in a critically ill adult patient is 1mg/ml.
Pre-medication (by intramuscular injection)
Adults and elderly
70-100 micrograms/kg, 30-60 minutes before the operation.The usual dose is about 5mg (2.5mg in the elderly)
Renal/hepatic impairment: Reduce dose Children
Not recommended
Atropine or hyoscine hydrobromide may be given concomitantly, bearing in mind that hyoscine hydrobromide will enhance and prolong the sedative and amnesic effects of midazolam injection.
Midazolam injection can be combined with atropine or hyoscine hydrobromide in the same syringe to be given as a single intramuscular injection.
Induction of anaesthesia by slow intravenous injection
One or more bolus intravenous injections should be administered over a single anaesthetic session.
Adults
The dose should be titrated against the individual response of the patient. Midazolam injection should be given by slow intravenous injection until there is a loss of eyelid reflex, response to commands and voluntary movements.
In anticipating the required dose of midazolam, both the premedication already given and the age of the patient are important. Young, fit unpremedicated patients may need at least 0.3mg/kg bodyweight, whereas patients premedicated with an opiate usually need only 0.2mg/kg bodyweight.
Use in the elderly
The elderly are more sensitive to the effects of benzodiazepines. Induction may be adequate with 0.1mg/kg body weight in premedicated patients and 0.2mg/kg body weight in unpremedicated patients.
Renal/hepatic impairment: Reduce dose.
Children over seven years
Midazolam injection has been shown to be an effective agent for induction of anaesthesia in children over seven years of age, at a dose of 0.15mg/kg body-weight.
Mode of administration:-
For the administration of midazolam injection the patient should be placed in a supine position and remain there throughout the procedure. Resuscitation facilities should always be available and a second person, fully trained in the use of such equipment, always be present. It is recommended that patients should remain under medical supervision until at least one hour has elapsed from the time of injection. They should always be accompanied home by a responsible adult.
4.3 Contraindications
Known hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines or any of the ingredients. Severe or acute respiratory insufficiency/depression.
Severe hepatic insufficiency
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Midazolam injection should be used with caution in patients with renal or hepatic dysfunction (see 4.2 Posology and Method of Administration), chronic pulmonary insufficiency, myasthenia gravis, coma, or a known history of drug or alcohol abuse.
Midazolam may enhance the effects of other CNS depressants and may result in severe respiratory or cardiovascular depression. Their concurrent use should be avoided. Elderly or debilitated patients are more prone to the CNS effects of benzodiazepines and, therefore, lower doses are required (see 4.2 Posology and Method of Administration).
Dependence and withdrawal symptoms The dependence potential of midazolam increases with dose and duration of treatment and is greater in patients with a history of alcohol or drug abuse. It is low when limited to short term use. Due to the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, midazolam should be gradually reduced following a prolonged iv administration; abrupt discontinuation should be avoided. Withdrawal symptoms may occur with benzodiazepines following normal use of therapeutic doses for only short periods and may be associated with physiological and psychological sequelae (see Section 4.8 Undesirable effects). This should be considered when treating patients for more than a few days.
As with other benzodiazepines, extreme caution should be used if prescribing midazolam for patients with personality disorders. The disinhibiting effects of benzodiazepines may be manifested as the precipitation of suicide in patients who are depressed or show aggressive behaviour towards self and others.
This medicinal product contains 0.15 mmol sodium per ampoule. To be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.
4.5 Interactions with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Alcohol: Alcohol should be avoided for at least eight hours before and after the administration of midazolam due to increased sedative effects.
Anaesthetics and narcotic analgesics: Enhanced sedation or respiratory and cardiovascular depression. If such centrally acting depressant drugs are given parenterally in conjunction with intravenous midazolam, severe respiratory and cardiovascular depression may occur; careful monitoring is required. When intravenous midazolam is to be administered concurrently with a narcotic analgesic agent (e.g. fentanyl), it is recommended that midazolam be given after the analgesic and that the dose be carefully titrated to meet the patient's needs. Fentanyl may reduce midazolam clearance.
Antibacterials: Agents that interfere with metabolism by hepatic enzymes (e.g. isoniazid, erythromycin, clarithromycin, quinupristin/dalfopristin) have been shown to reduce the clearance of benzodiazepines and may potentiate their actions, whilst known inducers of hepatic enzymes, for example, rifampicin, may increase the clearance of benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants: Enhanced sedation or respiratory and cardiovascular depression. Midazolam plasma levels increased by concomitant nefazodone.
Antiepileptics: Enhanced sedation or respiratory or cardiovascular depression. Midazolam may interact with other hepatically metabolised drugs, e.g. phenytoin, causing potentiation.
Antifungals: Ketoconazole, itraconazole, and possibly fluconazole, have been shown to reduce the clearance of benzodiazepines and may potentiate their actions.
Antihistamines: Enhanced sedation or respiratory and cardiovascular depression with sedative antihistamines.
Antihypertensives: Enhanced hypotensive effect. Enhanced sedative effect possible with moxonidine.
Patients who are receiving certain pain killers (e.g. fentanyl)
If you take or are given these drugs you should have them before you are given your Midazolam Injection.
Low doses of Midazolam Injection (0.01 to 0.1mg/kg body weight per hour) may be used to start.
Monitoring of Response
Patients who receive Midazolam Injection for sedation in intensive care should be on a ventilator. If you receive a continuous intravenous infusion of Midazolam Injection, the infusion should be stopped / reduced everyday to see how you recover from its effect. If recovery takes more than two hours, a lower dose should be used.
For use as a pre-medication Adults and Elderly
The usual dose for adults and the elderly is 0.07 to 0.1mg/kg body weight given by injection into a muscle, 30 to 60 minutes before the operation.
Children
Midazolam Injection is not used in this way in children.
If you have kidney or liver disease
If you have kidney or liver disease you will be given a lower dose.
At the start of a general anaesthetic
One or more intravenous injections may be given until you are sedated.
Adults
If you have not received any pre-medication the usual adult dose is about 0.3mg/kg body weight. If you have received pre-mediation however, you may only need about 0.2mg/kg body weight.
Elderly
The elderly are more sensitive to Midazolam Injection so the doses required tend to be lower than for adults.
If you have not received any pre-medication the usual dose is about 0.2mg/kg body weight. However, if you have received pre-medication you may only need about 0.1mg/kg body weight.
Children over seven years
The usual dose for children over seven years is about 0.15mg/kg body weight.
If you have kidney or liver disease
If you have kidney or liver disease you will be given a lower dose.
If you are given more Midazolam Injection than you should
A doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. If you think that you have been given too much, inform your doctor or nurse. Signs that you have been given too much Midazolam Injection include: confusion; reduction in consciousness; feeling drowsy; breathing difficulties; lack of co-ordination; speech impairment; low blood pressure and muscle weakness. In the case of a severe overdose, coma can occur and you could stop breathing. As the level of medicine falls in your blood you may get severe agitation; inability to sleep and possibly major fits.
If you think you have missed a dose of Midazolam Injection
A doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. If you think you have missed a dose, inform your doctor or nurse.
Stopping Midazolam Injection
If you are given Midazolam Injection for a long time, there is a risk of becoming dependent on it in which case you may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it. The dose should be reduced gradually to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms and you should never stop your Midazolam Injection abruptly. Your doctor will decide when to stop your treatment with Midazolam Injection.
Withdrawal symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, depression, impaired concentration, inability to sleep, headache, dizziness, ringing in your ears, loss of appetite, tremor, sweating, irritability, increased sensation, abnormal taste, feeling sick, being sick, stomach pains, rapid heart beat, high blood pressure or low blood pressure on standing. Rare and more serious withdrawal symptoms include muscle twitching, confusion, paranoia, fits, hallucinations, and delirium. Broken sleep with vivid dreams may persist for some weeks after withdrawal.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like many medicines Midazolam Injection may cause side effects in some patients, although not everybody gets them. The side effects are generally mild. If you are elderly or very run-down you are more likely to have side effects.
If you experience any of the following, you should contact your doctor or nurse immediately:
• skin rashes or other allergic reactions (with swelling of the face and eyes and difficulty breathing in severe cases)
• problems breathing or if you stop breathing. This is more likely to occur if you are elderly or if your dose is too high or it is given too quickly
• your heart stopping.
Less serious side effects include:
Heart and circulation problems
• slow pulse
• chest pain
• low blood pressure
• inflammation of your veins
Nervous system problems:
• dizziness, lack of coordination and over sedation with a risk of falls and other accidents
• headaches
• confusion
• slurred speech
• drowsiness
• tremor
• uncontrolled jerky movements
• reduced alertness
• forgetfulness
Mental problems:
• numbed emotions
• depression
• delirium after surgery
Gut problems:
• dry mouth
• stomach problems
Other side effects include:
• fatigue
• hangover effect
• pain on injection
• hiccups
• problems with your vision
• jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
• difficulty in passing water
• incontinence (the inability to control when you go the toilet)
• changes in sexual desire
• blood problems
• some patients, particularly if they are children or elderly, may become irritable, aggressive, hostile, overexcited, uninhibited, overanxious or have hallucinations.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, or pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting systems listed below:
United Kingdom:
Yellow CardScheme
Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
Malta:
ADR Reporting
Website: www.medicinesauthority.gov.mt/adrporta
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. HOW TO STORE MIDAZOLAM INJECTION
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
This medicine should not be used if the expiry date on the ampoule has passed. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
This medicine should not be stored above 25°C.
Store the ampoule in the outer carton in order to protect from light.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. FURTHER INFORMATION
What Midazolam Injection contains
The active ingredient in Midazolam Injection is midazolam. The injection is available in 2ml ampoules. Each ampoule contains 10mg of the active ingredient in 2ml of solution.
The other ingredients are sodium chloride, hydrochloric acid solution, sodium hydroxide solution and water for injections.
What Midazolam Injection looks like and contents of the pack
Midazolam Injection is a clear, colourless solution.
Midazolam Injection is available in cartons containing 10x2ml glass ampoules.
Marketing Authorisation Holder: Wockhardt UK Ltd, Ash Road North, Wrexham, LL13 9UF, UK.
Manufacturer: CP Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Ash Road North, Wrexham, LL13 9UF, UK.
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Midazolam 5mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion |
29831/0141 |
This is a service provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
This leaflet was last revised in 11/2015.
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Antipsychotics: Enhanced sedation or respiratory and cardiovascular depression. Severe hypotension, collapse, respiratory depression, potentially fatal respiratory arrest and unconsciousness have been reported in a few patients on benzodiazepines and clozapine. Caution is advised when initiating clozapine therapy in patients taking benzodiazepines.
Antivirals: Concomitant use of midazolam with HIV-protease inhibitors (e.g. amprenavir, ritonavir) should be avoided due to the risk of extreme sedation and respiratory depression.
Anxiolytics and hypnotics: Enhanced sedation or respiratory and cardiovascular depression with other anxiolytics and hypnotics.
Calcium-channel blockers: Diltiazem and verapamil have been shown to reduce the clearance of benzodiazepines and may potentiate their actions.
Dopaminergic agents: Midazolam may cause inhibition of levodopa.
Disulfiram: Has been shown to reduce clearance of benzodiazepines and may potentiate their actions.
Muscle relaxants: e.g. baclofen Midazolam may causeing potentiation, with increased CNS depressant effects.
Nabilone: Enhanced sedation or respiratory and cardiovascular depression.
Nicotine: Benzodiazepine metabolism is accelerated by smoking.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: The induction of anaesthesia with midazolam is more rapid in patients pre-treated with aspirin.
Probenecid: May reduce midazolam clearance.
Sedatives: Enhanced sedation or respiratory and cardiovascular depression.
Ulcer-healing drugs: Cimetidine, ranitidine and omeprazole have been shown to reduce the clearance of benzodiazepines and may potentiate their actions.
Xanthines: Benzodiazepine metabolism is accelerated by xanthines.
4.6 Pregnancy and lactation
There is no evidence regarding the safety of midazolam in pregnancy. It should not be used, especially in the first and third trimesters, unless the benefit is considered to outweigh the risk.
If the product is prescribed to a woman of childbearing potential she should be warned to contact her physician regarding discontinuance of the product if she intends to become or suspects that she is pregnant.
There may be a small increase in the risk of congenital malformation, particularly oral cleft, with the use of benzodiazepines in the first trimester. In labour, high single doses or repeated low doses have been reported to produce effects on the neonate, such as hypothermia, hypotonia, moderate respiratory depression, irregularities in the foetal heart rate, and poor suckling in the neonate (floppy infant syndrome).
Infants born to mothers who take benzodiazepines chronically during the latter stages of pregnancy may develop physical dependence and may be at some risk for developing withdrawal symptoms in the postnatal period.
A small number of children exposed in utero to benzodiazepines have shown slow development in the early years but by four years of age have developed normally.
Since benzodiazepines are found in the breast milk, benzodiazepines should not be given to breast-feeding mothers.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
The concurrent use of midazolam with other central nervous system depressants, may result in a prolonged recovery. A careful assessment should be undertaken prior to allowing the patient to go home or resume normal activities.
Patients treated with midazolam injection should not drive or use machinery for twelve hours after receiving this medicine.
This medicine can impair cognitive function and can affect a patient's ability to drive safely. This class of medicine is in the list of drugs included in regulations under 5a of the Road Traffic Act 1988. When prescribing this medicine, patients should be told:
• The medicine is likely to affect your ability to drive
• Do not drive until you know how the medicine affects you
• It is an offence to drive while under the influence of this medicine
• However, you would not be committing an offence (called ‘statutory defence') if:
o The medicine has been prescribed to treat a medical or dental problem and o You have taken it according to the instructions given by the prescriber and in the information provided with the medicine and
o It was not affecting your ability to drive safely
4.8 Undesirable effects
Side-effects are usually mild.
Cardiovascular: Midazolam may cause bradycardia, chest pain and decreases in cardiac output, stroke volume and systemic vascular resistance. These effects are important in those patients with a reduced myocardial oxygen delivery capacity or suffering hypovolaemia. Also, hypotension, particularly with high dosage, and cardiac arrest. Local thrombophlebitis may occur.
CNS: Elderly or debilitated patients are particularly susceptible to the CNS side effects of benzodiazepines.
It is recommended that dosage be limited to the smallest effective dose and increased gradually, if necessary, to decrease the possibility of development of ataxia, dizziness and oversedation, which may lead to falls and other accidents (see 4.2 Posology and method of administration).
Disorders of the eye: Visual disturbances.
Gastrointestinal: dry mouth, gastrointestinal disturbances.
General: Fatigue and a hangover effect. Local pain on injection. Hiccups.
Haematological: Blood dyscrasias.
Hepatic: Jaundice.
Immunological: Skin reactions and other hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, are rare.
Neurological: Headaches, confusion, slurred speech, tremor, drowsiness, reduced alertness, anterograde amnesia, extrapyramidal effects.
Psychiatric: Increased risk of postoperative delirium. Numbed emotions. In susceptible patients, an unnoticed depression may become evident. Paradoxical reactions (including aggressive behaviour, hostility, hallucinations, disinhibition, excitation, irritability and increased anxiety) are known to occur with benzodiazepines and are more likely in children and the elderly.
Reproductive: Changes in libido
Respiratory: Midazolam can produce respiratory depression, apnoea and may cause respiratory arrest following iv administration, especially in the elderly with pre-existing respiratory insufficiency or when the dose is excessive or administered too rapidly.
Urinary: urinary retention, incontinence.
Withdrawal symptoms:
Development of dependence is common after regular use, even in therapeutic doses for short periods, particularly in patients with a history of drug or alcohol abuse or marked personality disorders. Discontinuation may be associated with withdrawal symptoms or rebound phenomena (see 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use). Symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal include anxiety, depression, impaired concentration, insomnia, headache, dizziness, tinnitus, loss of appetite, tremor, perspiration, irritability, perceptual disturbances such as hypersensitivity to physical, visual, and auditory stimuli and abnormal taste, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, palpitations, mild systolic hypertension, tachycardia, and orthostatic hypotension, Rare and more serious withdrawal symptoms include muscle twitching, confusional or paranoid psychosis, convulsions, hallucinations, and a state resembling delirium tremens. Broken sleep with vivid dreams and increased REM sleep may persist for some weeks after withdrawal of benzodiazepines.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via:
UK - Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
Malta - ADR Reporting, Website: www.medicinesauthority.gov.mt/adrportal
4.9 Overdose
a) Symptoms
The symptoms of mild overdose may include confusion, impairment of consciousness with somnolence or a sleep-like state, little or no respiratory depression, ataxia, dysarthria, hypotension and muscular weakness. Cardiac rate and rhythm remain normal in the absence of anoxia or severe hypotension.
In severe overdose, deep coma, or other manifestations of severe depression of brainstem vital functions, particularly the respiratory centre, may occur
As drug levels fall, severe agitation, insomnia and, possibly, major convulsions may develop.
b) Treatment
Treatment is symptomatic. Respiration, heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature should be monitored and supportive measures taken to maintain cardiovascular function. Ventilation should be used to support respiratory function if appropriate.
Flumazenil is a specific antidote for use in midazolam overdosage but expert advice is essential since adverse effects may occur (e.g. convulsions in patients dependent on benzodiazepines).
5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES 5.1Pharmacodynamic properties
Midazolam is a soluble benzodiazepine with marked properties of suppression of tension, agitation and anxiety as well as sedative and hypnotic effects. In addition, midazolam demonstrates muscle relaxant and anticonvulsive properties. In clinical use, the main action is sleep induction.
Midazolam binds to specific receptors in the central nervous system (CNS). The benzodiazepine receptors in the CNS have a close functional connection with receptors of the GABA-ergic transmitter system. After binding to the benzodiazepine receptor, midazolam augments the inhibitory effect of GABA-ergic transmission.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Midazolam is highly lipid soluble and crosses the blood brain barrier. These properties qualify it for intravenous use in short term anaesthetic procedures since it acts promptly on the brain, and its initial effects decrease rapidly as it is distributed into fat deposits and tissues. Following the administration of 150 micrograms/kg intravenously, plasma concentrations in the range 291-425 ng/ml are reached within five minutes.
Midazolam is almost completely absorbed following intramuscular injection, peak plasma levels being attained within 45 minutes.
Midazolam is extensively protein bound (94-98%). The volume of distribution is between 0.8 and 1.7 litres/kg. Midazolam crosses the placenta. It is not known whether midazolam enters breast milk, but this is likely as it is known to occur with other benzodiazepines.
Midazolam is extensively metabolised in the liver, involving the P450 IIIA enzymes. The principal metabolite, 1-hydroxy midazolam, appears in the urine as a glucuronide. The metabolite is less pharmacologically active than midazolam and has a shorter half-life of about one hour. Midazolam has a mean elimination half-life of two to three hours. The half-life is short compared with other benzodiazepines. Less than 1% midazolam is excreted
unchanged via the kidneys and the drug is cleared virtually entirely by the liver. The half-life of midazolam is prolonged in neonates, in the elderly and patients with liver disorders.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
In vitro and in vivo microbial and mammalian test systems have revealed no evidence of mutagenicity. No evidence of carcinogenic potential was seen in rats or mice given oral midazolam maleate in doses up to 25 times the human recommended daily dose for two years.
In humans, the risk of congenital abnormalities from the ingestion of therapeutic doses of benzodiazepines is slight, although a few epidemiological studies have pointed to an increased risk of cleft palate. There are case reports of congenital abnormalities and mental retardation in prenatally exposed children following overdosage and intoxication with benzodiazepines.
6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Sodium Chloride Hydrochloric Acid Solution 3M Sodium Hydroxide Solution 3M Water for Injections
6.2 Incompatibilities
Midazolam is incompatible with alkaline solutions (due to reduced solubility) and some medicines.
Published data show that midazolam injection is incompatible with alkaline injections such as some antibiotic and steroid injections, bumetanide, frusemide, omeprazole sodium, sodium bicarbonate and thiopental sodium. It is also incompatible with dimenhydrinate, foscarnet sodium, imipenem with cilastin, pentobarbital sodium, albumin, clonidine, perphenazine, prochlorperazine, ranitidine and certain parenteral solutions, including parenteral nutrition solutions.
Mixture or dilution with Hartmann's solution is not recommended, as the potency of midazolam decreases.
Compatibility must be checked before administration, if intended to be mixed with other drugs.
6.3 Shelf life
Three years.
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Do not store above 25°C. Keep container in outer carton.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
Neutral glass ampoules Type I Ph Eur 2ml packed in 5 or 10s in an outer printed carton
6.6 Instructions for use / handling
The injection is for single patient use and should be used immediately after opening. The injection should not be used if particles are present. Any unused portion should be discarded.
Midazolam for infusion may be prepared by dilution with infusion fluids containing 5% glucose, 4% glucose with 0.18% sodium chloride or 0.9% sodium chloride.
Chemical and physical in-use stability has been demonstrated for 24 hours at 25°C.
From a microbiological point of view, the product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2-8°C, unless dilution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions.
7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Wockhardt UK Ltd, Ash Road North, Wrexham, LL13 9UF
8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
PL 29831/0141, MA 154/01901
9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
UK- 27 March 2007
10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
November 2015