Is someone in your family or someone you know having a seizure ? You may be very worried and not know what to do at such a time, right? That's normal. But sometimes the doctor may have given you a nasal spray to use in such an emergency to stop the seizure . That spray, namely Midazolam nasal spray, is what we are going to talk about in this article today.
Simply put, what is Midazolam?
Midazolam is a medicine that is given to stop a seizure or fit . It comes as a nasal spray. It is not a daily, everyday medicine. It is more like a “rescue” medicine used in an emergency.
This medicine belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines . Simply put, these medicines work by calming your nervous system and controlling some of the activity in your brain . When you have a seizure, the electrical activity in your brain increases dramatically. This medicine helps to reduce that excessive activity and stop the seizure.
Very important: If the fit does not stop after using this spray, you should immediately call an emergency service or take the patient to the nearest hospital emergency department (ETU) . Do not expect this to be enough to make everything okay.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
If you or the person using this medicine has any of the following conditions, you should definitely tell your doctor before using this medicine, as using this medicine with these conditions can be dangerous.
| Illness or other factors | Description |
|---|---|
| Glaucoma | A condition in which pressure in the eye increases. |
| Heart disease | If you have any type of heart disease. |
| Kidney or liver disease | If there is any impairment in kidney or liver function. |
| Respiratory diseases | Breathing difficulties such as asthma or COPD. |
| Mental health problems | Any mental illness such as depression. |
| Sleep apnea | A condition in which breathing stops during sleep. |
| Drug or alcohol addiction | If you are addicted to these or have received treatment. |
| Thoughts of ending your life | If you or someone in your family has or has had such thoughts. |
| Allergies | If you are allergic to midazolam or any other medicine, food, or dye. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | You need to talk to the doctor about this. |
| If a mother is breastfeeding her child | Seek medical advice about this medicine while breastfeeding. |
How exactly do you use this?
This is a nasal spray. Use only the dose prescribed by your doctor.Never use more than the recommended amount.
If you are not sure how to use it correctly, ask your doctor again to make sure. Sometimes the doctor or nurse will also show you how to use it. Remember those instructions carefully.
Usually, when you are prescribed this medicine, you will receive a special instruction leaflet (MedGuide) with details about it. Always read it carefully.
Can this be given to young children?
Doctors may prescribe this medicine to children over the age of 12 in some special cases. But they do so with great caution. Therefore, if you are giving this to a child, it is essential to follow the doctor's instructions exactly.
What happens if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more of this medicine than you think, don't delay. Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Midazolam is a very strong drug. Therefore, it can interact with some other medications, foods, and things. This can cause dangerous side effects .
| Do not take Midazolam with these. | |
|---|---|
| Grapefruit juice | Some antifungals, such as itraconazole |
| Anticancer drugs like Idelalisib and Lonafarnib | Sodium oxybate |
| Be very, very careful when using these. | |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Opioid medications for cough or pain (e.g. Tramadol, Morphine) |
| Sleeping pills | Muscle relaxant |
| Other Benzodiazepine medications (e.g. Diazepam, Clonazepam) | Some medications for depression (e.g. Amitriptyline) |
| Other seizure medications (e.g. Phenobarbital) | Some allergy medications (Antihistamines) |
Tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including vitamins and herbal products , so he or she can give you the safest treatment plan.
Special points to be aware of when taking the medicine
- Risk of addiction:
- Decreased brain function (CNS Depressant):
- Driving and operating machinery:
- Mental health:
- Pregnancy:
- Keep away from children and pets. It can be fatal if a small child gets hold of this and uses it. So don't let them see it.
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Keep it in the blister package it came in until use.
- Never use expired medicine.
- Dispose of unused or expired medications safely. Consult your doctor for advice.
- Midazolam nasal spray is an emergency treatment given to stop a seizure. It is not a daily medication.
- If the fit does not stop after using the spray, immediately take the patient to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).
- Avoid drinking alcohol and taking other medications that cause drowsiness while using this medicine. It can be life-threatening.
- It is imperative that you tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking and any illnesses you have.
- Always keep this medicine in a safe place out of the reach of small children and pets.
There is a high risk of addiction and misuse of this medication. Therefore, it is very important to use it only as prescribed by your doctor and only when prescribed. Do not share this with others.
Midazolam is a central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant). This means that it slows down your brain and nervous system. Taking it with another CNS depressant, such as alcohol, sleeping pills, or painkillers (opioids), can make you feel too sleepy . It can also cause your breathing to slow down, leading to unconsciousness, coma, and even death . So avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medicine.
This medicine can affect your concentration, decision-making ability, and balance. Therefore , avoid dangerous activities such as driving, working at heights, and operating machinery until you know exactly how this medicine affects you.
Some people may experience increased depression or suicidal thoughts due to this medication. If you notice any changes in your behavior or thoughts, talk to your doctor immediately.
Continued use of this medication during pregnancy may cause problems for the unborn baby. Therefore, if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it is important to talk to your doctor about this.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Midazolam can cause some side effects.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| If you have any of these, inform your doctor immediately. | |
| Severe allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Breathing difficulties (CNS depression) | Slow breathing, shortness of breath, severe dizziness, loss of consciousness, difficulty waking up. |
| Mental changes | Thoughts of suicide, increased depression, sudden changes in mood. |
| Tell your doctor if these persist or are bothersome. | |
| Dizziness | Feeling dizzy. |
| Drowsiness | Feeling unusually sleepy. |
| Headache | Common headache. |
| Nasal or throat discomfort | A runny nose or throat, congestion, or runny nose. |
How do you keep this medicine safe?
Because this is a very powerful medicine, it is very important to keep it safe.
Take-Home Message
Midazolam, Nayzilam, nasal spray, seizure, fit, benzodiazepine, side effects, medication
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What is Midazolam Nasal Spray?
This is a special emergency medicine that is given to people who are having epilepsy or seizures. When this spray is sprayed into the nose, it immediately goes to the brain, calms down the excited nerves, and stops the fit.
💬 How do you apply this spray?
When the patient is having a fit and is shaking, first turn him or her on his or her side and make him or her lie down on the floor. Then, insert the small tube from the spray bottle into one nostril and spray once. Most of the time, just one side of the nose is enough.
💬 What should I do if the fit doesn't stop after taking this medicine?
If the fit does not subside after 5 minutes, spray the other side of the nose again, as recommended by doctors. However, if the patient does not regain consciousness within 10 minutes, they should be taken to a hospital immediately.
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