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.
- Lorazepam is effective for panic attacks, short-term and long-term treatment of insomnia and is used in combination with other medications to prevent nausea and vomiting resulting from chemotherapy.
- Lorazepam also is administered before anesthesia for sedation and used for prevention and treatment of alcohol withdrawal.
- It also is used for treating seizures (status epilepticus)
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:
- diazepam (Valium)
- alprazolam (Xanax)
- clonazepam (Klonopin)
- flurazepam (Dalmane)
- Other medications
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:
- A feeling of depression
- Amnesia
- Loss of orientation
- Headaches
- Sleep disturbances
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Impotence (erectile dysfunction, ED)
- Changes in appetite
- Sleep apnea
Possible serious side effects of lorazepam include:
- Extrapyramidal symptoms
- Respiratory depression
- Suicidal ideation/attempt
- Seizures
- Depression
![](https://images.medicinenet.com//images/slideshow/general-anxiety-disorder-s1-photo-of-woman-driving.jpg)
SLIDESHOW
A Visual Guide to Generalized Anxiety Disorder See SlideshowWhat 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
- Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine medicine. Taking benzodiazepines with opioid medicines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants (including street drugs) can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems (respiratory depression), coma and death. Get emergency help right away if any of the following happens:
- shallow or slowed breathing
- breathing stops (which may lead to the heart stopping)
- excessive sleepiness (sedation)
- 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.
- Serious side effects including coma and death have happened in people who have abused or misused benzodiazepines, including Lorazepam. These serious side effects may also include delirium, paranoia, suicidal thoughts or actions, seizures, and difficulty breathing. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you get any of these serious side effects.
- You can develop an addiction even if you take Lorazepam exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
- Take Lorazepam exactly as your healthcare provider prescribed.
- Do not share your Lorazepam with other people.
- Keep Lorazepam in a safe place and away from children.
- Physical dependence and withdrawal reactions. Lorazepam can cause physical dependence and withdrawal reactions.
- Do not suddenly stop taking Lorazepam. Stopping Lorazepam suddenly can cause serious and life-threatening side effects, including, unusual movements, responses or expressions, seizures, sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes, depression, seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear, an extreme increase in activity or talking, losing touch with reality, and suicidal thoughts or actions. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you get any of these symptoms.
- Some people who suddenly stop benzodiazepines have symptoms that can last for several weeks to more than 12 months, including anxiety, trouble remembering, learning, or concentrating, depression, problems sleeping, feeling like insects are crawling under your skin, weakness, shaking, muscle twitching, burning or prickling feeling in your hands, arms, legs or feet, and ringing in your ears.
- Physical dependence is not the same as drug addiction. Your healthcare provider can tell you more about the differences between physical dependence and drug addiction.
- Do not take more Lorazepam than prescribed or take Lorazepam for longer than prescribed.
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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
- Lorazepam and other benzodiazepines have been associated with fetal damage, including congenital malformations, when taken by pregnant women in their first trimester.
- Lorazepam is best avoided if at all possible in the first trimester and probably throughout pregnancy.
- Lorazepam is excreted in human milk and should be avoided during pregnancy.
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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Is Picking at Your Skin a Symptom of Anxiety?
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Can Stress and Anxiety Cause Schizophrenia?
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What Parenting Styles Cause Anxiety?
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Which Color Light Helps Anxiety?
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Seizure vs. Seizure Disorders: What's the Difference?
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Can You Self-diagnose Anxiety?
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How Does a Person With Anxiety Feel?
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Holiday Depression, Anxiety, and Stress
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What Does Anxiety Do to Your Body?
It increases a person’s chances of suffering from other medical conditions, such as heart diseases, raised blood pressure, high cholesterol obesity, depression and diabetes. In short term, anxiety may cause sleep disturbances and poor work performance.
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Is Valerian Root Good for Anxiety?
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What Is the 3-3-3 Rule for Anxiety?
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What Triggers Panic Attacks?
Panic attacks can be a frightening experience and affect many people. Learn what triggers panic attacks, how doctors diagnose them, and what you can do to treat them.
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Depression in the Elderly
Depression in the elderly is very common. That doesn't mean, though, it's normal. Treatment may involve antidepressants, psychotherapy, or electroconvulsive therapy.
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Is Trichotillomania an Anxiety Disorder?
Trichotillomania, also known as hair-pulling, is an impulse control disorder. It could be caused by anxiety and stress. It can coexist with an anxiety disorder. However, psychiatrists consider it as a separate illness and not an anxiety disorder.
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How Does Anxiety Affect You Physically?
Physical signs of anxiety include rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, headache, and more. Find out how to recognize and ease your symptoms.
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Can Stress and Anxiety Hurt My Baby?
Research indicates that stress and anxiety in pregnant women may influence the health of the baby and result in several birth problems.
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How Do I Know if I'm Having a Panic Attack or Heart Attack?
If your chest feels tight and you find it hard to breathe, is it a heart attack or a panic attack? You age, how long symptoms last, and what you are doing when symptoms come on help determine if you are having a panic attack or a heart attack.
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What Are 6 Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety disorders have an impact on one's behavior, thoughts, emotions, and physical health. The six major symptoms of anxiety disorders include worrying incessantly and excessively for no apparent reason; fear of any social or performance-related situations in which one may be subjected to scrutiny from others; irrational fear of an object or location; flashbacks, nightmares, and subsequent anxiety due to exposure to a highly traumatic event in the past; cleaning and rearranging things and objects around excessively and repetitively; and repeated panic attacks.
-
What Are the 5 Symptoms of Anxiety?
Learn the 5 most common types of anxiety disorders and their symptoms below.
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What Are the Best Treatments for Panic Attacks?
Learn what medical treatments can help with your panic attack symptoms and speed up your recovery.
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What Triggers Social Anxiety?
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is a mental health condition that is characterized by extreme anxiety and fear of social settings. People with social anxiety disorder have a constant, intense, persistent fear of being watched, judged, negatively evaluated, or rejected in a social situation.
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Can Anxiety Give You a Stomachache?
Anxiety triggers the release of cortisol, which can cause your stomach to produce more acid and give you a stomachache. Learn about how to cope with anxiety symptoms.
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Is Psoriasis Linked to Anxiety?
Like other chronic conditions, psoriasis can take a toll on your emotional health. Anxiety can trigger or worsen psoriasis, and psoriasis can cause anxiety.
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What Does Social Anxiety Feel Like?
People affected by social anxiety or social phobia often feel intense fear or anxiety of being judged or criticized while being in a social situation.
-
What Is the Best Treatment for Anxiety?
The best treatment for anxiety is typically a combination of psychotherapy and medication. However, lifestyle modifications can also help manage symptoms.
-
What Is the Main Cause of Anxiety?
Anxiety is usually caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors that may include stress, trauma, family history, and underlying health conditions.
-
How Can I Help My Young Child With Anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal part of daily life, even for children. Help your young child with anxiety by giving the feeling a label, validating their feelings, tracking causes of anxiety, and using other methods.
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What Symptoms Are Caused by Anxiety?
It's normal to feel stressed or worried about things that happen in our everyday lives. However, people who experience anxiety disorders often feel heightened fear or worry about common situations.
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Nausea
- Alcohol Withdrawal
- Anxiety
- Delirium
- Fibromyalgia
- Catatonia (Catatonic Behavior)
- Panic Attack
- Aggression
- Inner Ear Infection (Otitis Interna)
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Dystonia
- Illness Anxiety Disorder (Hypochondria)
- Agoraphobia
- Doctor: Checklist to Take To Your Doctor's Appointment
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Dislocated Shoulder
- Anxiety, Panic, and Phobias: Seeking Help
- Anxiety Treatment with Virtual Reality Exposure
- Anxiety: Facing Fear and Anxiety -- Jonathan Davidson, MD
- Depression FAQs
- Sleep FAQs
- Alcohol FAQs
- Fibromyalgia FAQs
- Epilepsy and Seizures FAQs
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder FAQs
- Stress FAQs
- Panic Attacks Disorder FAQs
- Insomnia FAQs
- Drugs: Buying Prescription Drugs Online Safely
- Hot Flashes: Anxiety Worsens Hot Flashes
- Trouble Sleeping? Insomnia May Be Why
- 10 Tips to Avoid Insomnia and Get a Good Night's Sleep
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- Drugs: The Most Common Medication Errors
- Medication Disposal
- Dangers of Mixing Medications
- Propofol (Diprivan) Safety
- How To Reduce Your Medication Costs
- Pharmacy Visit, How To Get The Most Out of Your Visit
- Indications for Drugs: Approved vs. Non-approved
- Does Stress Cause Panic Attacks?
- Generic Drugs, Are They as Good as Brand-Names?
Medications & Supplements
- Benzodiazepines
- Drugs: Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist about Your Drugs
- Drug Interactions
- alprazolam
- Anxiolytics (for Anxiety) Drug Class Side Effects
- clonazepam
- diazepam (Valium, Diastat, Acudial, Diastat Pediatric, Diazepam Intensol)
- temazepam (Restoril)
- Ativan Side Effects, Warnings, and Drug Interactions
- Statins
- triazolam (Halcion)
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