Versed
® (
midazolam) is a prescription medication approved for use as a sedative,
anxiety, or anesthesia medication used before or during surgeries, medical procedures, or dental procedures. It is also used to sedate people on respirators in intensive care units.
(Click Versed Uses for more information on what the drug is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
Brand-name Versed was made by Hoffmann-La Roche, but it is no longer manufactured. Fortunately, there are several companies that make
generic Versed.
Versed is part of a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines have several effects on the body, including:
- Reducing anxiety
- Causing sleepiness
- Relaxing the muscles
- Stopping seizures
- Impairing short-term memory.
All benzodiazepines can have these effects to some degree, depending on the specific benzodiazepine that is being taken. They work in the brain by enhancing the effects of
gamma-aminobutyric acid (
GABA), a brain chemical that is naturally calming. GABA can slow down or stop certain nerve signals in the brain. This is why Versed and other benzodiazepines are known as mild tranquilizers, sedatives, or central nervous system depressants (CNS depressants).
Because Versed is very fast acting, it is particularly useful for anesthesia. It can help start the anesthesia process (called anesthesia induction), relieving anxiety and causing memory loss (amnesia). In fact, many people who use Versed for "conscious sedation" during a procedure are awake for the entire procedure but remember nothing, often believing they were "out" the whole time.
When and How to Take Versed
Some general considerations for when and how to take the medication include the following:
- Versed comes in two forms -- an injectable form and a syrup form. The syrup form is meant for children who do not need an IV for any other reason (and who are likely to be afraid of an IV injection).
- Because Versed is typically used before a surgery or procedure, you may need to have an empty stomach. Before your surgery or procedure, be sure to ask your healthcare provider for instructions.
- For the drug to be used safely, your healthcare provider must be equipped with the training and equipment necessary to handle breathing problems that Versed can cause. Ask your healthcare provider if he or she is prepared to handle a breathing problem or emergency, especially if Versed will be used in a clinic or office setting (such as a dentist office), rather than in the hospital.
The dosage that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age and weight
- The degree of sedation, amnesia, or anesthesia desired
- Other medications you may be taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Versed. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects of Versed include, but are not limited to:
- Breathing problems
- Tenderness at the injection site or pain when Versed is injected (for the injection form)
- Nausea and vomiting (for the syrup form).
(Click Versed Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Drug Interactions With Versed
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
- Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
- Breastfeeding.
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
People who take too much Versed may have overdose symptoms that could include:
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Coordination problems
- Difficulty breathing
- Coma
- Slow reflexes.
If you happen to overdose, seek immediate medical attention.
Is There a Generic Version of Versed?
