Laura Klepping and Peter Zaagman look at the evidence on midazolam, and whether it is a safe, effective and appropriate epilepsy rescue medication for people with learning disabilities

This article, based on an undergraduate dissertation, consists of a literature review to identify, contextualise and critique the body of evidence relating to the use of midazolam as an epilepsy rescue medication, specifically in relation to people with learning disabilities. To this end, a combination of evidence about people with and without learning disabilities is presented. The safety and effectiveness of buccal midazolam appear to be well supported, but this review demonstrates the need for more methodologically credible community-based studies that focus on people with learning disabilities before these findings can be accepted with certainty.