Lorazepam is a generic prescription drug that calms the brain, so it’s primarily taken as a tablet to relieve anxiety or temporary symptoms of anxiety. People may get lorazepam injections before medical procedures or when they’re having severe, long-lasting seizures. As a benzodiazepine, lorazepam can cause serious problems, including impairment, dependence, drug abuse, and potentially fatal overdoses, so doctors typically use it only for short-term treatment.
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Lorazepam overview
BRAND NAMES:
Ativan, Loreev XR
Generic Names:
Lorazepam
Uses:
Treats anxiety, insomnia, or long-lasting seizures as well as provides sedation before medical procedures
Therapeutic Classes:
Benzodiazepine, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative, skeletal muscle relaxant
Forms:
Tablet, oral concentrate (liquid), injection, extended-release capsule
How it’s taken:
By mouth or injection
What is Lorazepam used for?
Lorazepam is FDA-approved to treat anxiety disorders, anxiety- or tension-associated insomnia, and long-lasting seizures. It’s also FDA-approved as a preliminary medication before anesthesia or to provide some sedation before medical or dental procedures.
What form(s) does Lorazepam come in
Tablet
0.5 mg
1 mg
2 mg
Extended-release capsule
1 mg
1.5 mg
2 mg
3 mg
Oral concentrate (liquid)
2 mg/mL
Injection
2 mg/mL
4 mg/mL
What are common Lorazepam doses?
For anxiety in adults and adolescents: 2–3 mg (tablets or liquid) taken orally divided into two or three daily doses or 2–3 mg extended-release capsule taken once per day
For anxiety-associated insomnia in adults and adolescents: 2–4 mg (tablets or liquid) taken by mouth at bedtime
For preliminary medication before anesthesia in adults: 2 mg or 0.02 mg/kg intravenous injection
For sedation or anxiety relief before a medical procedure in adults: 0.05 mg/kg intramuscular injection
For rescue treatment of long seizures (status epilepticus) in adults: 4 mg intravenous injection administered every 10-15 minutes as necessary
Common Lorazepam prescriptions
LORazepam
30ml of 2mg/ml bottleLORazepam
1ml of 4mg/ml crtrdg-ndlLORazepam
0.5mg tabletLORazepam
1mg tabletLORazepam
2mg tabletLORazepam
10ml of 2mg/ml vialLORazepam
10ml of 4mg/ml vialLORazepam
1ml of 2mg/ml vialLORazepam
1ml of 4mg/ml vial
How to take Lorazepam
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read it carefully before taking lorazepam. If it’s missing, ask the pharmacist for a copy.
Store lorazepam tablets or capsules at room temperature in a tightly closed container out of the reach of children.
How to take lorazepam tablets
Lorazepam tablets can be taken with or without food.
Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container out of the reach of children.
How to take extended-release capsules
Lorazepam capsules can be taken with or without food.
Swallow the capsule whole.
The capsule’s contents can be mixed with applesauce and taken that way. Swallow the mixture without chewing.
Drink a glass of water when finished.
Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container out of the reach of children.
How to take lorazepam oral concentrate
Measure the oral liquid medicine with the dropper that comes with the medicine. If it is missing, ask the pharmacist for one.
Mix the medicine with water, juice, soda, applesauce, or pudding. Drink or eat the mixture right away. Do not store it for later use.
Store lorazepam oral concentrate in a refrigerator protected from light and out of the reach of children.
What to do if you miss a dose of Lorazepam
Take a dose as soon as you remember. If you are more than 1 hour late, skip the missed dose and wait until it is time for your next dose.
Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Lorazepam contraindications
This medicine is not right for everyone.
Do not use lorazepam if you have had an allergic reaction to lorazepam.
Do not use lorazepam if you are currently experiencing narrow-angle glaucoma.
Do not use extended-release lorazepam 1 mg capsules if you are allergic to FD&C Yellow No. 5 food dye.
Lorazepam warnings
Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Too much of this medicine can be fatal. A lorazepam overdose will produce symptoms such as extreme dizziness, weakness, trouble breathing, slow heartbeat, seizures, and cold, clammy skin.
Lorazepam can cause physical dependency and habit-forming. When lorazepam is taken inappropriately, overdose and death are possible. Do not use more than your prescribed dose or take lorazepam for longer than prescribed. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.
Lorazepam may not be safe to take for longer than four months. Long-term use can lead to physical dependency and result in protracted withdrawal symptoms when discontinued.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. To prevent withdrawal, the prescriber will need to slowly decrease your dose before it’s stopped.
Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have:
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Lung or breathing problems such as COPD or sleep apnea
Glaucoma
A history of drug or alcohol abuse, depression, mental health problems, or seizures.
This medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell the doctor right away if you start to feel depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourself.
It may not be safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant.
Tell the doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Lorazepam can make a nursing infant sleepy or less willing to feed.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that’s risky until you know how this medicine affects you.
Lorazepam is a federally controlled substance. Giving or selling this drug to anyone else is dangerous and against the law.
Because of the risk of overdose, death, or misuse, keep lorazepam securely out of the reach of children.
Lorazepam interactions
To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements you are using before taking diazepam.
Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.
Taking lorazepam along with opioids can cause serious problems including slowed breathing, coma, and death.
Because lorazepam has sedative effects, it can cause excessive sleepiness, impairment, and even slowed breathing when combined with other drugs that cause sleepiness, including other benzodiazepines, antidepressants, antihistamines, or alcohol.
Do not drink alcohol when taking lorazepam.
Tell the prescribing doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:
Mental health medications
Seizure medications
Valproate, clozapine, probenecid, theophylline, aminophylline
Lorazepam side effects
Serious side effects
Talk to a doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect including:
Blue lips, fingernails, or skin
Extreme drowsiness or weakness, slow heartbeat, trouble breathing
Seizures
Confusion, lightheadedness, dizziness, problems with muscle control or coordination
Unusual mood or behavior, worsening depression, thoughts about hurting yourself, trouble sleeping
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Less serious side effects
Drowsiness or sleepiness
Dizziness
Weakness
Sources:
Ativan lorazepam tablet prescribing information, NIH National Library of Medicine
Lorazepam concentrate prescribing information, NIH National Library of Medicine
Lorazepam injection prescribing information, NIH National Library of Medicine
Lorazepam tablet prescribing information, NIH National Library of Medicine
Loreev XR lorazepam capsule extended release prescribing information, NIH National Library of Medicine
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