The sedative effects of the drug slow down heart and breathing rates, and for this reason it is used much like an anasthetic. The amnaesia effect prevents patients from suffering from traumatic memories of a procedure. Overdose caused heart attack and respiratory failure.

Rare side effects include vertigo, dizziness, headaches, hallucinations, visual disturbances and nausea. A larger problem is that the drug is addictive when repeatadly administered, and causes strong withdrawal symptoms, much like heroin.

This is good stuff, I tell you.

It can be used as a premedication for general anaesthesia, as sedation for troublesome patients and, in a pinch, even to calm down little kids in status epilepticus.

Reasonably easy to administer, either orally, intramuscularly or intravenously. Quick onset of action, reasonably quick recovery time. Easy to reverse in case of trouble (assuming you have flumazenil on hand).

Best of all, midazolam has an amnesic effect so patients won't remember if you stuff up!