What is the oral bioavailability of midazolam for sedation in children (PO)?

What is the oral bioavailability of midazolam for sedation in children (PO)?

• A. 50%
• B. 100%
• C. 25%
• D. 0%

Answer: (A)

Oral bioavailability is the fraction of an orally given drug that reaches the bloodstream in active form after absorption and first-pass metabolism. Midazolam undergoes substantial first-pass metabolism by gut wall and liver CYP3A enzymes, so its oral bioavailability is much lower than IV. In children, maturation and physiological differences can yield an approximate oral bioavailability around 50%, meaning about half the oral dose becomes systemically available to produce sedation. This explains why oral dosing is higher than IV to achieve similar effects. The other values aren’t accurate for oral midazolam in pediatrics: 0% would imply no absorption, and 100% would apply to IV administration, while 25% is lower than typical pediatric estimates.

Oral bioavailability is the fraction of an orally given drug that reaches the bloodstream in active form after absorption and first-pass metabolism. Midazolam undergoes substantial first-pass metabolism by gut wall and liver CYP3A enzymes, so its oral bioavailability is much lower than IV. In children, maturation and physiological differences can yield an approximate oral bioavailability around 50%, meaning about half the oral dose becomes systemically available to produce sedation. This explains why oral dosing is higher than IV to achieve similar effects. The other values aren’t accurate for oral midazolam in pediatrics: 0% would imply no absorption, and 100% would apply to IV administration, while 25% is lower than typical pediatric estimates.