Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2025
Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention
Published on: October 16, 2013
Sedative effect of midazolam in different vehicles for oral administration
Cesar Franco-Quino1, Lesly Chavez-Rimache2, Angie Aponte-Laban3
1Pharmacology Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Científica del Sur; School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
Context:
Oral administration of midazolam is one of the most important protocols for producing adequate conscious sedation; however, it has an unpleasant taste and is poorly tolerated by pediatric patients.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the sedative effect of diluted midazolam in different vehicles used to mask its unpleasant taste.
Methods And Material:
A total of 30 male mice (BALB-c) were randomly distributed in five groups. They were administered diluted midazolam in different vehicles (saline solution, paracetamol syrup, diclofenac suspension, multi-vitamin syrup, and boxed juice). All suspensions were administered orally (0.6 mg/Kg). The pH variation was evaluated with a digital pH meter, and the quality of sedation was evaluated in three tests: hole board test, grip strength test, and forced swimming test.
Results:
The paracetamol syrup vehicle was found to be the only vehicle which did not change its pH over time after dilution of midazolam. When evaluating the perforated platform, the greatest sedative effect was observed in the midazolam group with the paracetamol syrup (P > 0.05). Regarding grip strength, a difference was evident in all study groups at 45 minutes (P = 0.006); the midazolam group with the multi-vitamin syrup was less effective. Regarding the response time to forced swimming, the midazolam group with the paracetamol syrup presented the longest time at 15 and 30 minutes (5.39 ± 0.93 and 6.29 ± 0.83, respectively).
Conclusion:
The suspension of midazolam diluted in the paracetamol syrup is the most suitable for performing conscious sedation efficiently.
Insights
Midazolam oral sedation is improved by using paracetamol syrup as a vehicle to mask its unpleasant taste. This study found paracetamol syrup enhanced sedative effects in mice, making it suitable for conscious sedation.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Pediatric Sedation
Background:
- Oral midazolam is crucial for conscious sedation but has poor palatability, especially for children.
- Improving the taste of oral midazolam is essential for better patient compliance and effective sedation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the sedative efficacy of midazolam when diluted in various vehicles.
- To identify a suitable vehicle that masks midazolam's unpleasant taste and maintains its sedative properties.
Main Methods:
- Thirty male BALB-c mice were divided into five groups, receiving oral midazolam (0.6 mg/Kg) in different vehicles: saline, paracetamol syrup, diclofenac suspension, multi-vitamin syrup, and boxed juice.
- Sedation quality was assessed using the hole board, grip strength, and forced swimming tests.
- pH stability of each vehicle after midazolam dilution was also measured.
Main Results:
- Paracetamol syrup maintained a stable pH after midazolam dilution, unlike other vehicles.
- The midazolam-paracetamol syrup combination showed the most significant sedative effect in the hole board test.
- While multi-vitamin syrup reduced midazolam's effectiveness on grip strength, paracetamol syrup prolonged response time in the forced swimming test.
Conclusions:
- Diluting midazolam in paracetamol syrup is the most effective method for achieving conscious sedation.
- Paracetamol syrup offers a palatable and stable vehicle for oral midazolam administration in sedation protocols.
More Related Videos
03:02Application of Dixon's Up-and-Down Design to Estimate the Minimum Alveolar Concentration of Sevoflurane in Rats with Refined Movement Classification
Published on: July 25, 2025
07:54Testing Animal Anxiety in Rats: Effects of Open Arm Ledges and Closed Arm Wall Transparency in Elevated Plus Maze Test
Published on: June 29, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:24Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
01:29Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone
01:19Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. They bind to the GABAA receptor, increasing its affinity for GABA, which opens chloride...
01:23Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
01:17Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
01:18Drug Delivery: Enteral Route