Indications: pre-medication; sedation with amnesia and in conjunction with local anesthetics.

Cautions: neuromuscular disorders, respiratory disease, hepatic dysfunction, renal impairment.

Drug Interactions: Refer to table

Dose: By mouth, 5 mg on night before minor or dental surgery then 5 mg 2 hours before procedure; elderly (or debilitated), half adult dose.

By intravenous injection, into a large vein 10–20 mg over 2–4 minutes as sedative cover for minor surgical and medical procedures; premedication 100–200 mcg/kg.

Pregnancy: Avoid regular use (risk of neonatal withdrawal symptoms); use only if clear indication such as seizure control (high doses during late pregnancy or labour may cause neonatal hypothermia, hypotonia and respiratory depression).

Breast feeding: Present in milk avoid if possible.