Lorazepam

Description

Lorazepam is an anticonvulsant which is used to relieve the symptoms of anxiety and seizures. This medicine may increase the risk of habit forming tendency if taken for a long duration or at larger doses. Do not stop abruptly taking this medicine as it may cause withdrawal symptoms like convulsions, behavioral disorder, tremor, and anxiety.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Lorazepam

  • Drowsiness
  • Agitation and anxiety
  • Blurred vision
  • Confusion
  • Dry mouth
  • Headache
  • Constipation
  • Weakness
  • Rapid weight gain
  • Shaking of hands or feet

Uses of Lorazepam

What is it prescribed for?

  • Status Epilepticus
  • Preanesthetic
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The peak effect of this medicine can be observed in 2 hours after an oral dose and 3 hours after an intramuscular injection.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 24 to 36 hours.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Consumption of alcohol with this medicine is not recommended as it increases the risk of side effects like dizziness, difficulty in concentration. Do not perform activities that require mental alertness like driving or operating machinery.
  • Is it habit forming?
    Habit forming tendency has been reported
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for pregnant women.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended in breastfeeding women.

Allergy

Not recommended in the patients with allergy to Lorazepam.

Narrow-angle glaucoma

Not recommended in the patients with known case of narrow-angle glaucoma.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for pregnant women.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended in breastfeeding women.
General warnings

Depression

This medicine is not recommended in the patients with known case of depression due to the worsening if symptoms.

Drug dependence

Lorazepam have the tendency to cause dependency and abuse particularly after prolonged use or excessive dosages. Individuals with a history of alcohol or substance abuse should be treated carefully when they are on Lorazepam. The withdrawal of this medicine should be tapered off gradually.

Elderly population

Use with caution in individuals who are 60 years and above due to the increased risk of sedation and muscle weakness.

withdrawal symptoms

Lorazepam should not be stopped immediately without informing the doctor due to the risk of withdrawal symptoms like convulsions, behavioral disorder, tremor, and anxiety. Gradual dose reduction should be made based on the outcomes in the patient.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Lorazepam, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Use of benzodiazepines with alcohol will increase the central nervous system and respiratory system depression.

Instructions

Consumption of alcohol with this medicine is not recommended as it increases the risk of side effects like dizziness, difficulty in concentration. Do not perform activities that require mental alertness like driving or operating machinery.
Interaction with Medicine

Cetirizine

Metoclopramide

Opoids

Antihypertensives

Disease interactions

Glaucoma

Lorazepam is known to increase the fluid pressure inside the eye. It is contraindicated in acute narrow-angle glaucoma which is an eye disorder.

Seizures

The sudden stop of Lorazepam may cause withdrawal effects and can precipitate seizures. The dose should be reduced gradually. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting the doctor.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Lorazepam with or without food. Do not take in larger amounts than advised. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
It works by binding to certain chemicals in the brain and helps in relieving the symptoms.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Benzodiazepine derivatives

Schedule

Schedule H

DailyMed - Lorazepam injection [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 17 April 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ae274b1f-27c3-483b-99f1-9a9249dc2459

Lorazepam: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 17 April 2017]. Available from:

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682053.html

Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 17 April 2017]. Available from:

https://www.tga.gov.au/prescribing-medicines-pregnancy-database#searchname

[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 17 April 2017]. Available from:

https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/f?./temp/~eOshnB:1

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Information on this page was last updated on 28 May 2020

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.