How Long Does Versed Stay in Your System

How Long Does Versed Stay in Your System Addiction Drug Use Prescription Medications Print How Long Does Versed (Midazolam) Stay in Your System? Versed in Your Blood Urine By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on December 16, 2015 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 11, 2020 Roche More in Addiction Drug Use Prescription Medications Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Hallucinogens Opioids Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery In This Article Table of Contents Expand Effects Duration Factors That Affect Detection Time Elimination Symptoms of Overdose Getting Help View All Back To Top Versed (midazolam) is a drug usually used for pre-anesthesia sedation and for procedural sedation for children.?? For adults, it is often used for uncomfortable procedures such as colonoscopies because it produces memory loss. Versed is in a class of drugs called  benzodiazepines,  which are central nervous system depressants and  Schedule IV  controlled substances. When combined with alcohol or other depressants, or when taken in large dosages, Versed can cause  a loss of consciousness and respiratory failure, so its important to know how long it remains in your system to avoid dangerous drug interactions and potential overdoses. How Long Does Versed Stay in Your System? Urine: Up to two days Surgery and Versed (Midazolam) How Long Does It Take to Feel the Effects? There are several ways Versed can be administered,?? but it must always be done where there is immediate access to monitoring for breathing and heart function due to associated risks. It is administered by medical professionals in a hospital, day surgery clinic, or doctors office. It can be given as an injection, by tablet, or in a syrup. How Versed is taken will determine how fast it takes effect. An injection or IV takes effect in five to 15 minutes with maximum effect in 15 to 60 minutes and lasts about 2 hours (though the range is anywhere between one and six hours). The amnesia effect lasts for 20 minutes to an hour depending on how it is administered. As a syrup, the effects of Versed in children are seen in 10 to 20 minutes. The effects of Versed can last for one to two days,?? and you should plan your schedule so you wont be doing any tasks that require coordination and concentration. You wont be allowed to drive yourself home after Versed is administered for a procedure, and youll need to take the day off of work. How Long Does Versed Last? The half-life of Versed, or how long it takes for half of the drug to leave your system, is roughly 1.8 to 6.4 hours. Midazolam, the active ingredient in Versed, is broken down into the liver to both active and inactive metabolites, so it has two phases of elimination from the body. It is mostly excreted in the urine but is also eliminated in the feces. Versed (midazolam) can be detected in blood and urine tests for prescription drugs and has a urine detection window of 0.5 to 2 days. If you will be taking any such test, be sure to inform the testing laboratory that you have had it administered by your doctor so the test can be interpreted correctly. Factors That Affect Detection Time How long it takes your body to fully eliminate the drug depends on many factors, including age, liver function, and any other medications that were administered or you have been taking. Age: Children, newborns, and geriatric patients can take longer than healthy adults to metabolize and eliminate the drug.Liver and kidney function: People with liver or renal impairment have been found to have longer elimination half-lives. How to Get Versed Out of Your System The only proven way to get Versed out of your system is to stop taking it and allow your body time to process and eliminate it. Symptoms of Overdose Because Versed is a central nervous system depressant, there is a risk of death if an overdose occurs. Symptoms of an overdose of Versed include the following:?? ConfusionDrowsinessShallow respirationClammy skinDilated pupilsFast or  irregular heartbeatLow blood pressureWeak and rapid pulseConfusionDizzinessBlurred visionDepressionComaPossible death If you suspect a Versed overdose, call 911 immediately or call the poison control center (1-800-222-1222). If you experience any of the following serious side effects that you think may be  related to Versed, contact your doctor.?? Loss of memory during the time while the drug is being administered and the time immediately followingSlow breathingAgitation, hyperactivity, or combativenessDrowsinessIncreased coughingVomitingNauseaRashProblems with coordination and alertness Dangerous Interactions It is important to not drink alcohol or take any other medications that depress your nervous system for 24 hours after you have been administered Versed. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products that youre taking prior to your surgery or procedure, as some of these substances can cause serious interactions, including: AntidepressantsCertain antifungalsCertain antibioticsCertain calcium channel blockersAntihistaminesCough medicineAnticonvulsantsOther sedativesSt. Johns WortGrapefruit Getting Help Your dosage will be gradually tapered off to minimize some of the more profound symptoms of  withdrawal, including: Abdominal crampsAn altered sense of realityConfusion and disorientationDepressionHallucinationsIncreased sensitivity to light, pain, and/or soundInsomniaIrritabilityMuscle crampsNausea and vomitingNervousnessParanoiaProfuse sweatingSeizures and convulsionsTachycardia (rapid heart rate)Tingling, burning, or skin-crawling sensationsTremor If you are concerned about how long Versed will stay in your system after being administered, talk to your doctor to find out exactly what to expect. Any indication of how long a drug will stay in your system is only a best estimate, and you should plan accordingly.