Midazolam Hydrochloride

Jiao J, et al. summarized the molecular mechanisms through which midazolam may exert anticancer effects, including inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and suppression of migration and invasion in various cancer cell lines. However, the precise pathways remain to be fully elucidated, and the evidence is primarily preclinical. The authors conclude that while midazolam shows promise as a potential therapeutic agent in oncology, further studies are needed to clarify its mechanisms of action and to determine its clinical relevance and safety in cancer patients.

Fig. 1 Flow diagram of the studies identification and selection. (Jiao J, et al., 2017)

Gershuny V, et al. reported a randomized, double-blind, four-period crossover trial involving 20 healthy volunteers to investigate whether midazolam co-administered with oxycodone exacerbates respiratory depression compared to oxycodone alone. Using modified Read rebreathing methodology, the combination did not significantly decrease minute ventilation at elevated end-tidal CO₂ (7.3 kPa) compared to oxycodone alone. However, midazolam plus oxycodone increased resting end-tidal CO₂ and caused 60% of participants to fall asleep or snore compared to 0% with oxycodone alone.

Fig. 2 Flow of participants in the study, interventions, and overall study design. (Gershuny V, et al, 2025)