Nayzilam (midazolam) is a brand-name nasal spray that’s prescribed for a certain type of seizures in adults and some children. As with other drugs, Nayzilam can cause side effects, such as drowsiness, headache, and runny nose.
Nayzilam can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Nayzilam in clinical trials:
- headache
- runny nose
- throat irritation
- drowsiness or sleepiness
- nasal discomfort*
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Mild side effects can occur with Nayzilam use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Nayzilam’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Nayzilam include:
- headache
- throat irritation
- runny nose
- slurred speech
- watery eyes
- change in sense of taste
- drowsiness or sleepiness
- nasal discomfort*
- mild allergic reaction†
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Nayzilam and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Nayzilam. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
Nayzilam may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Nayzilam’s prescribing information.
If you develop serious side effects while taking Nayzilam, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:
- Impaired memory and slowed motor skills. Symptoms may include:
- short-term problems with memory
- increased risk of falling
- slowed reaction time
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Symptoms can include:
- sudden changes in thoughts, mood, or behavior
- worsening symptoms of depression
- thoughts of dying
- Respiratory depression (breaths that are slower and more shallow than usual). Symptoms can include:
- Risk of serious effects if used with opioids.†
- Risk of misuse and addiction.†
- Risk of dependence and withdrawal.†
- Severe allergic reaction.‡
† Nayzilam has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
‡ An allergic reaction is possible after using Nayzilam. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
Nayzilam may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.
How long do side effects of Nayzilam typically last?
Most side effects of Nayzilam are mild and typically go away after you stop using the drug.
However, side effects such as drowsiness, impaired memory, and slowed motor skills may last for several hours after taking a dose. You should not drive a car or operate hazardous machinery until the side effects are gone completely. In most people, side effects are likely gone within 4 hours of the last dose of Nayzilam. But in people with kidney problems or congestive heart failure, these side effects may last longer because the drug is removed from the body more slowly.
If you have questions about how long side effects will last after taking Nayzilam, talk with your doctor.
Are side effects of Nayzilam similar to those seen with Valtoco?
Yes, the side effects of Nayzilam and Valtoco are similar. Both drugs are in a class of medications called benzodiazepines and come as a nasal spray used to treat cluster seizures.
Nayzilam and Valtoco may cause drowsiness, headache, and nasal discomfort. In addition, there were reports of nosebleeds in some people who used Valtoco.
Both drugs also have the same
To learn more about how the side effects of Nayzilam and Valtoco compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Nayzilam may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Nayzilam.
Boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings about risk of serious effects if used with opioids, misuse and addiction, and dependence and withdrawal. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that can be dangerous.
Risk of serious effects if used with opioids
Nayzilam has a
- excessive sleepiness
- respiratory depression
- coma
Because of these risks, your doctor will only prescribe Nayzilam with an opioid if other treatment options can’t be used and the benefits outweigh the risks of using these drugs together.
What you can do
If your doctor prescribes both an opioid and Nayzilam, they’ll prescribe the lowest dosage of the opioid that works for your condition. This helps decrease your risk of serious side effects.
Your doctor may recommend a test dose of Nayzilam in their office before prescribing the medication. This is so they can see how your body reacts when you use Nayzilam with an opioid. You don’t have to be having a seizure for your doctor to give you the test dose.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about taking Nayzilam with an opioid. They can discuss the risks and benefits with you.
Risk of misuse and addiction
Nayzilam has a
Abuse, misuse, and addiction can lead to serious side effects, such as respiratory depression, overdose, or death.
What you can do
Before prescribing Nayzilam, your doctor will assess your risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction. Your risk of misuse and addiction is low if you only use Nayzilam occasionally for episodes of cluster seizures. Experts recommend not using Nayzilam for more than one episode every 3 days or more than five episodes per month.
If you find that you need to use Nayzilam to treat your cluster seizures more often than is recommended, talk with your doctor. They may want to evaluate your treatment plan and adjust your medications.
Risk of dependence and withdrawal
Nayzilam has a
- anxiety
- nausea and vomiting
- headache
- irritability
- confusion
- tachycardia (fast heart rate)
- tremors
What you can do
Be sure to use Nayzilam only as instructed by your doctor. It is meant to be used as needed for cluster seizures with epilepsy. Using the medication more often than recommended, taking a higher dosage than prescribed, or using the drug for a longer period increases your risk of dependence.
Do not stop taking this medication without talking with your doctor first. They may recommend that you slowly stop using the medication to help prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about developing dependence on the medication or the possibility of withdrawal symptoms. They can help address any questions or concerns you may have.
Nasal discomfort
Nayzilam is a nasal spray. The use of Nayzilam can cause discomfort in your nose. This was a common side effect of the drug reported in clinical studies. You are more likely to experience nasal discomfort if you use two doses of Nayzilam.
What you can do
Nasal discomfort is typically mild and goes away on its own. Since Nayzilam is used as needed, you will likely only experience nasal discomfort after using the drug. If your symptoms become bothersome, talk with your doctor.
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, Nayzilam can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:
- skin rash
- itching
- flushing
- swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
What you can do
For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Nayzilam. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Suicide prevention
If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:
- Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
- Listen to the person without judgment.
- Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
- Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
- Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects if it’s safe to do so.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
Below is important information you should consider before starting treatment with Nayzilam.
Boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings about risk of serious effects if used with opioids, misuse and addiction, and dependence and withdrawal. These are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.
Other precautions
Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Nayzilam. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:
History of depression or suicidal thoughts: If you have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts, it’s possible that Nayzilam could worsen your condition. Be sure to tell your doctor about any mental health conditions you may have before starting treatment with Nayzilam. They will want to monitor you more closely for any changes in your mood or behavior.
Congestive heart failure: If you have congestive heart failure (CHF), certain side effects, such as drowsiness and memory problems, may last longer than usual. This is because CHF causes the drug to be removed more slowly from your body. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have CHF before using Nayzilam. They can tell you how long you should wait after your Nayzilam dose before you can drive or engage in other activities.
Glaucoma: Nayzilam can increase the pressure inside your eye. If you have glaucoma, using Nayzilam could increase your eye pressure even more. Tell your doctor if you have glaucoma before starting treatment with Nayzilam. If you have been diagnosed with closed-angle glaucoma, you should not use Nayzilam. If you have open-angle glaucoma and are taking medication to manage your condition, your doctor can tell you if it’s safe for you to use Nayzilam. They may want to monitor your eye pressure more closely during treatment with Nayzilam.
Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Nayzilam or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Nayzilam. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding: It’s not known if Nayzilam is safe for you to take if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child. Talk with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. They can discuss the risks and benefits of Nayzilam treatment with you.
Alcohol consumption: It may not be safe for you to drink alcohol while using Nayzilam. Drinking alcohol can increase your risk of serious side effects, including excessive drowsiness, respiratory depression, coma, and, in rare cases, death. You should not drink alcohol without first talking with your doctor about the risks of alcohol use during treatment with Nayzilam.
Nayzilam can cause mild and serious side effects. To reduce the risk of serious side effects, be sure to take the medication exactly as instructed by your doctor. If any side effects last, are bothersome, or are serious, let your doctor know right away.
If you’d like to learn more about Nayzilam, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.
Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:
- More information about Nayzilam: For details about other aspects of Nayzilam, refer to this article.
- Dosage: For information about the dosage of Nayzilam, view this article.
- A look at epilepsy: For details about epilepsy, see our list of epilepsy articles.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.