Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Long-Term Infusion of Midazolam in Critically Ill Patients — Preliminary Results

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Abstract
Seven intensive care patients were sedated with prolonged infusion of midazolam. One patient received a continuous infusion of midazolam for the treatment of status epilepticus. A bolus injection of 5 mg was administered, followed by infusion of 4–14 mg/hour depending on the required level of sedation. The length of infusion varied between 80 and 360 hours. The plasma concentrations of the midazolam during infusion were between 500–1000 ng/ml. All the patients were adequately sedated. The plasma elimination half-life of midazolam and its main metabolite, 1-OH-midazolam glucuronide, after stopping the infusion varied from 4–12 hours.