Hypnovel

What is it?

A benzndiazepine drug which has hypnotic, anxinlytic effects, available in ampoules for injection in two strengths, containing 10mg of midazolam as hydrochloride per 5ml or 10mg per 2ml.

Medical Uses

Sedation in patients undergoing minor surgery, sedation in intensive care, induction of anaesthesia.

Dosage

Adults and children, by slow intravenous injection or infusion, as directed by anaesthetist according to individual patient requirements, eg degree of sedation needed.

Special Care

Elderly, debilitated patients, liver, kidney or heart disease, lung disorders, chronic breathing difficulties, myasthenia gravis, personality disorders, alcohol or drug abuse. Outpatients should be accompanied by adult carer. Children with congestive heart failure or unstable cardiovascular problems require especially careful monitoring of vital functions and lower doses of hypnovel should be given slowly.

Avoid Use

Breastfeeding, patients with serious lung disorders, depressed respiration or in the last 3 months of pregnancy.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Other anaesthetics, verapamil, anxiolytics, antidepressants, hypnotics, cyclosporin, nifedipine, cimetidine, fluconazole, other CYP3A4 inhibitors, antipsychotics, alcohol, antihistamines, narcotic analgesic drugs, ketoconazole, erythromycin, anticonvulsant drugs, itraconazole, dilitiazem.

Known Side Effects

Pain at injection site, dizziness, headache, confusion, breathing difficulty (dyspnoea), hallucinations, ataxia (lack of muscular coordination), euphoria, impairment of judgement and dexterity, convulsions, anterograde amnesia (loss of memory of events long ago), skin rashes, slight increase in heartbeat rate, reddening of skin (erythema), dilation of blood vessels, thrombosis, low blood pressure, thrombophlebitis. Dependence can occur with long-term use (eg sedation in intensive care) - drug should be gradually withdrawn. Patients should be warned of possible effects to avoid alarm.