Generic name: lorazepam

Brand name: Ativan

Drug class: Benzodiazepines

What is lorazepam, and what is it used for?

Lorazepam is used for the management of anxiety disorders, the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety or anxiety associated with depression.

Excessive activity of nerves in the brain may cause anxiety and other psychological disorders. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that nerves in the brain use to send messages to one another that reduces the activity of nerves in the brain.

It is thought that lorazepam and other benzodiazepines may act by enhancing the effects of GABA in the brain to reduce activity. Because lorazepam is removed from the blood more rapidly than many other benzodiazepines, there is less chance that lorazepam concentrations in blood will reach high levels and become toxic. Lorazepam also has fewer interactions with other medications than most of the other benzodiazepines.

Lorazepam belongs to the benzodiazepine family of drugs, the same family that includes:

Warnings

Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how taking lorazepam affects you.

Like all benzodiazepines, lorazepam can cause physical dependence. Suddenly stopping therapy after a few months of daily therapy may be associated with a feeling of loss of self-worth, agitation, and insomnia.

If lorazepam is taken continuously for longer than a few months, stopping therapy suddenly may produce seizures, tremors, muscle cramping, vomiting, and sweating.

What are the side effects of lorazepam?

The most common side effects of lorazepam are:

Other side effects of lorazepam include:

Possible serious side effects of lorazepam include:

What is the dosage for lorazepam?

The dose of lorazepam is tailored to the patient's needs.

The usual dose for treating anxiety is 2-6 mg orally every 8 to 12 hours as needed.

Insomnia is treated with 2-4 mg given at bedtime.

Addiction/overdose

Risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction. There is a risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction with benzodiazepines including Lorazepam, which can lead to overdose and serious side effects including coma and death.

Physical dependence and withdrawal reactions. Lorazepam can cause physical dependence and withdrawal reactions.

Do not take more Lorazepam than prescribed or take Lorazepam for longer than prescribed.

Health News

What drugs interact with lorazepam?

Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking, who can advise you on any possible drug interactions. Never begin taking, suddenly discontinue, or change the dosage of any medication without your doctor's recommendation.

Lorazepam and all benzodiazepines accentuate the effects of other drugs that slow the brain's processes such as alcohol, barbiturates, narcotics, and tranquilizers, and the combination of lorazepam and these drugs may lead to excessive sedation.

There have been cases of marked sedation when lorazepam was given to patients taking the tranquilizer loxapine (Loxitane); it is unclear if there is a drug interaction, but caution should be used if lorazepam and loxapine are used together.

Severe Interactions of lorazepam include:

sodium oxybate

Serious Interactions of lorazepam include:

Lorazepam has moderate interactions with at least 191 different drugs.

Lorazepam has mild interactions with at least 36 different drugs.

The drug interactions listed above are not all of the possible interactions or adverse effects. For more information on drug interactions, visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker.

It is important to always tell your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, as well as the dosage for each, and keep a list of the information. Check with your doctor or health care provider if you have any questions about the medication. 

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Summary

Lorazepam is a prescription drug used for the management of anxiety disorders, short-term relief of anxiety, or anxiety associated with depression. Lorazepam is effective for insomnia, panic attacks, and is used for treatment and prevention of alcohol withdrawal. Side effects include amnesia, loss of orientation, headache, and sleep disturbances. It is important to be aware of the drug interactions related to lorazepam and the effects on pregnancy and breastfeeding.

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