Midazolam is a short-acting benzodiazepine with rapid onset that is commonly used in seizures, anesthesia and anxiety disorders. Midazolam is a short-acting hypnotic-sedative drug with anxiolytic, muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant, sedative, hypnotic, and amnesic properties.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 2 references
The actions of benzodiazepines such as midazolam are mediated through the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is one of the major inhibitory neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Benzodiazepines increase the activity of GABA, thereby producing a sedating effect, relaxing skeletal muscles, and inducing sleep, anesthesia, and amnesia. Benzodiazepines bind to the benzodiazepine site on GABA-A receptors, which potentiates the effects of GABA by increasing the frequency of chloride channel opening. These receptors have been identified in different body tissues including the heart and skeletal muscle, although mainly appear to be present in the central nervous system.
- Primary indication
- Midazolam has different indications depending on its formulation by the FDA.Curator reviewed · 16 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C18H13ClFN3 · 325.767 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2000 · United States, 2000 · European Union, 2016
- Code names
- Dea No. 2884 · Ro 21-3981/001 · Ro 21-3981/003 · USL261
- Brand names
Resolves to
DDLIGBOFAVUZHB-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESCC1=NC=C2CN=C(C3=CC=CC=C3F)C3=C(C=CC(Cl)=C3)N12What you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Midazolam, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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