Ketamine and Midazolam interaction
Ketamine and Midazolam: both prescribing labels flag this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.
Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.
What the FDA labels say
From the Ketamine (Ketalar) label · effective 2026-03-27
Benzodiazepines, Opioid Analgesics, or other CNS Depressants : Concomitant use may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, or death.
The incidence of psychological manifestations during emergence, particularly dream-like observations and emergence delirium, may be reduced by using lower recommended dosages of KETALAR in conjunction with an intravenous benzodiazepine during induction and maintenance of anesthesia [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 )] .
Benzodiazepines, Opioid Analgesics, or Other CNS Depressants Concomitant use of ketamine with opioid analgesics, benzodiazepines, or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death [see Drug Interactions ( 7.3 )] .
Closely monitor neurological status and respiratory parameters, including respiratory rate and pulse oximetry, when KETALR and opioid analgesics, benzodiazepines, or other CNS depressants are co-administered.
Benzodiazepines, Opioid Analgesics, Or Other CNS Depressants Concomitant use of ketamine with opioid analgesics, benzodiazepines, or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] .
From the Midazolam (Midazolam in Sodium Chloride) label · effective 2025-07-31
WARNING: PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT FOR MONITORING AND RESUSCITATION, AND RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH OPIOID ANALGESICS AND OTHER SEDATIVE-HYPNOTICS Personnel and Equipment for Monitoring and ResuscitationOnly personnel trained in the administration of procedural sedation, and not involved in the conduct of the diagnostic or therapeutic procedure, should administer…
Risks from Concomitant Use with Opioids, Other Sedative Hypnotics, or Other Central Nervous System Depressants Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.
Opioid Analgesics and Other Sedative Hypnotics : Risk of respiratory depression is increased ( 7.1 )
Opioid Analgesics and Other Sedative Hypnotics The concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids increases the risk of respiratory depression because of actions at different receptor sites in the CNS that control respiration.
Because intravenous midazolam can depress respiration [see Clinical Pharmacology (12)] , especially when used concomitantly with opioid agonists and other sedatives [see Dosage and Administration (2)] , it should be used for sedation/anxiolysis/amnesia only in the presence of personnel skilled in early detection of hypoventilation, maintaining a patent airway,…
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Open in the checkerNot medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.