. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2015 Dec 1.

Published in final edited form as: Clin Perinatol. 2014 Oct 7;41(4):895–924. doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2014.08.010

Table 2. Benzodiazepines.

Drug	Advantages	Disadvantages
Benzodiazepines	Better ventilator synchrony Antianxiety Sedation Hypnosis Muscle relaxation Amnesia Anticonvulsant	No pain relief Arterial hypotension Respiratory depression Constipation, nausea Urinary retention Myoclonus Seizures CNS depression Tolerance, dependence Alters bilirubin metabolism Propylene glycol and benzyl alcohol exposure
Midazolam	Most studied benzodiazepine Quickly metabolized	Short acting Benzyl alcohol exposure
Lorazepam	Longer acting Better anticonvulsant	More myoclonus reported Propylene glycol exposure
Diazepam		Not recommended in the neonate