Benzodiazepines
Midazolam (Versed / Dormicum)
Street names: Versed, Dormicum, Midaz, The execution drug
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Ultra-short IV sedation, anterograde amnesia — the procedural-sedation workhorse
- Rapid, powerful
⚠Key risks
- IV use by non-medical people: respiratory arrest — narrow margin, no reversal at home
- Amnesia makes dosing errors lethal (users redose forgetting they dosed)
- Used in lethal-injection protocols and US executions
- Diverted ampoules linked to overdose deaths
✚Overdose signs
- Respiratory arrest
- Unconsciousness with slow breathing
- Flaccid paralysis of breathing effort
📋Quick facts
Also known asVersed, Dormicum, Midaz, The execution drug
CategoryBenzodiazepines
Schedule / classSchedule IV (US); hospital-only in most countries
AppearanceClear injectable ampoules (1–5 mg/mL); oral syrup; rarely diverted tablets
Street priceDiverted ampoules $10–$40 each
Legal statusRx/hospital-only, Schedule IV; IV administration restricted to monitored settings
Last updated2026-09-18
Sources: FDA, EMA, NIDA
Category comparison — Benzodiazepines
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midazolam (Versed / Dormicum) | Schedule IV | IV use by non-medical people: respiratory arrest — narrow margin, no reversal at home; Amnesia makes dosing errors lethal (users redose forgetting they dosed) | Diverted ampoules $10–$40 each |
| Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) | Not approved in US; Schedule IV-III equivalent elsewhere; 'date-rape drug' class | Anterograde amnesia — linked to drug-facilitated assault; 10× stronger hangover sedation than diazepam | ~$2–$10 per 2 mg tablet where diverted |
| Diazepam | Schedule IV | Dependence in 2–4 weeks of daily use; Dangerous withdrawal (seizures) — never stop cold turkey | ~$1–$10 per 10 mg tablet |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Midazolam (Versed / Dormicum) look like?
Clear injectable ampoules (1–5 mg/mL); oral syrup; rarely diverted tablets
What are the signs of a Midazolam (Versed / Dormicum) overdose?
Respiratory arrest; Unconsciousness with slow breathing; Flaccid paralysis of breathing effort Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
IV use by non-medical people: respiratory arrest — narrow margin, no reversal at home Withdrawal can be life-threatening — medical tapering is essential.