Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Versed as follows:
- Do not take Versed along with alcohol, opioid pain medications, such as, hydrocodone and codeine, antipsychotic medications, antidepressant medications, anti-seizure medications, muscle relaxants, antihistamines, OTC cough syrups, and any other medications that carry a risk for depression of the central nervous system and the respiratory center, resulting in episodes of dizziness, confusion, difficulty breathing, and respiratory arrest. The individual influence of these medications on respirations and central nervous system can get added up, thus leading to severe respiratory depression, confusion, coma, and can even be fatal. Versed must be used with extra caution in individuals with history of breathing issues, such as, asthma and COPD, to prevent development of any episodes of severe SOB and respiratory arrest. Versed, especially when taken in high doses, can also lead to depression of respiratory center in the brain and difficulty breathing. Any exacerbation of shortness of breath, following Versed intake, must be reported to the physician, for any change in plan of care to be made.
- When prescribed for relief of insomnia, versed is usually taken 30 minutes before bedtime. Having a regular sleep routine can help intake of versed on time. Observe a regular sleep time every evening, as sleep is a habit that can be trained. Take the dose of versed about 30 minutes before the sleep time, as it needs about 20 – 30 minutes to show the desired effect of sleep induction. Maintaining compliance with the sleep time and medication intake half an hour before the sleep time can help avoid forgetting the medication intake.
- On some random day, if your schedule changes and you are not going to bed at the usual time, adjust your intake of versed accordingly. As the medication quickly induces sleep, taking the medication at the usual time and delaying your bedtime, can leave you severely drowsy. Trying to remain active in a drowsy state can invite risk for injury and accidents.
