Skip to main content

Midazolam

Versed

Calculate dosage
Sourced from primary literature. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Drug Class

Anesthetic

Routes

IVIMINTRANASAL

Indications

Mechanism of Action

Enhances GABA-A receptor activity, increasing chloride conductance. Provides anxiolysis, sedation, muscle relaxation, and anticonvulsant effects.

Side effects & warnings

May cause paradoxical excitement in healthy dogs when used alone. Water-soluble (less painful IM than diazepam). Respiratory depression at high doses. Flumazenil is the reversal agent.

Species with Midazolam dosing data (38 dose rules)

Controlled Substance

Controlled substance

Evidence levels across 38 dose rules

Weak×2Strong×10Moderate×26

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 7 published primary sources

  • · Carpenter 6e
  • · Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
  • · ExoticRx 2026 (chinchilla dosing guide); Carpenter 6e
  • · ExoticRx 2026 (ferret dosing guide); Carpenter 6e
  • · ExoticRx 2026 (hedgehog dosing guide); Carpenter 6e
  • · ExoticRx 2026 (rat dosing guide); Carpenter 6e
  • · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Sample dosing (2 of 38 cited rules)

Free-tier preview — dog and cat dosing. Pro and Student unlock all 12 species including reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine.

SpeciesRouteDoseFrequencyEvidenceSource
Dog (Domestic)IM0.2–0.5 mg/kgonceStrongPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
Dog (Domestic)IM0.2–0.5 mg/kgonceStrongPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Upgrade for Full Details

Upgrade to Pro or Student to access full drug details including mechanism of action, warnings, dose ranges, and frequency.

View Plans

Other formulations of Midazolam