[Intramuscular application of midazolam. Its effect upon CNS and respiration (author's transl)]

8-Chloro-6-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methyl-4H-imidazo[1,5-a] [1,4]benzodiazepine (midazolam, Ro 21-3981, Dormicum) is a benzodiazepine with a pronounced sleep-inducing effect. Deep-sleep stages and respiratory depressions were observed after 5 mg i.v. Whether and in what dosage midazolam can be safely, i.e., without continuous monitoring administered i.m. must be shown by the analysis of larger study populations. After i.m. injection, there is rapid onset of action leading to sleep stages which are comparable only with those hitherto observed after i.v. injection.