Comparison of the effectiveness of midazolam and diazepam in lipid emulsion as sedation during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

In a study of 101 patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, 90% of patients had complete amnesia for the procedure after intravenous midazolam (average dose 10 mg), but only 61% had complete amnesia after intravenous diazepam in lipid emulsion (average dose 18.4 mg) (P = 0.0006). However, when assessed by two different tests, recovery within the first hour was significantly more rapid after diazepam (P less than 0.0001). Prolonged sedation (over 20 hours after injection) was reported occasionally by patients who had received either drug. Thus, as with patients who have been sedated with diazepam, those who have been sedated with midazolam should also be advised to avoid driving or operating machinery for at least 24 hours after injection.