About Lorazepam:

• It's used to treat anxiety and sleeping problems that are related to anxiety.
• It can be taken to help you relax before an operation or other medical or dental treatment. This is known as a "pre-med".
• Lorazepam is available on prescription only. It comes as tablets and as a liquid that you swallow.
• It can also be given as an injection in hospital if you're having a seizure or fit.
• Lorazepam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines.
• It's also known by the brand name Ativan.

Depending on your health condition, this can make you feel calmer, relieve anxiety or stop a seizure or fit.

Key Facts:

• Lorazepam tablets and liquid start to work in around 20 to 30 minutes. The full sedating effect lasts for around 6 to 8 hours.
• The most common side effect is feeling sleepy (drowsy) during the daytime.
• It's not recommended to use lorazepam for longer than 4 weeks.
• If lorazepam makes you feel sleepy, do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking lorazepam. It can make you sleep very deeply.

How much will I take?

• Lorazepam can be taken by adults and children aged 13 years and older for anxiety.
• It can also be taken by adults and children aged 5 years or older as a "pre-med".
• Lorazepam will help you feel calmer and it can help reduce your feelings of anxiety.
• It can also make you feel sleepy if you're having trouble falling asleep.
• Lorazepam tablets and liquid start to work in around 20 to 30 minutes. It reaches full sedating effect after 1 to 1.5 hours and lasts for around 6 to 8 hours.
• A lorazepam injection works much faster but also lasts around 6 to 8 hours.

Lorazepam tablets come as 0.5mg, 1mg and 2.5mg tablets. The liquid contains 1mg of lorazepam in each 1ml.

Lorazepam:
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/lorazepam/

Ativan, known by the generic name lorazepam, is an anti-anxiety medication in the benzodiazepine family. It has a tranquilizing or quieting effect on the central nervous system. It has actions similar to other medications in this family such as Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), and Librium (chlordiazepoxide).

Ativan is FDA approved for the treatment of anxiety disorders and for the short-term relief of anxiety symptoms (short-term refers to four months or less). Ativan is also used to treat anxiety associated with depression. Ativan is not meant to be used for the anxiety associated with everyday life stresses and worries.

Examples of anxiety disorders Ativan is used to treat include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Social anxiety disorder
• Panic disorder

Ativan, also known as lorazepam, is a benzodiazepine medication that is available by prescription. Ativan increases the effect of a chemical in the brain called a neurotransmitter, causing relaxation and sedation. Ativan is used for a wide variety of purposes. Before surgery, Ativan may be given to help calm a patient and may be combined with anesthesia before, during or after the procedure. After surgery, Ativan can be used to improve sleep, treat anxiety, decrease agitation, improve symptoms of postoperative delirium and enhance relaxation.

It is also used as a treatment for seizures and is often given to stop a seizure or to prevent a seizure in a patient who has been having multiple seizures while hospitalized. In the critical care areas, Ativan may be given to help the patient tolerate the ventilator or a bedside procedure. In this case, the medication may be given periodically as an IV injection or may be given continuously as an IV drip. Ativan may also be given as a treatment for the symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol or other medications and may help reduce the chances of a seizure in individuals who are alcohol dependent. It can be used in the treatment of schizophrenia and may be used to decrease the nausea and vomiting that patients experience after chemotherapy.

Ativan is given at the smallest effective dose. For some individuals this may be a dose as small as half of a milligram, for others, larger doses may be necessary. Oral doses are typically higher than IV and IM doses. An individual who requires half a milligram when given the IV form may receive a full milligram or more when taking the medication by mouth.

The major side effect associated with Ativan is sedation, which is often a desired effect of the medication. This medication can cause amnesia, especially in higher doses. When given prior to a procedure, the patient may remember little or nothing of the time immediately following the dose.

It is thought that 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.

History of Ativan (Lorazepam)
Lorazepam was first patented in 1963 and went on sale for the first time in the U.S. in 1977. It is on the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines. According to the CDC, in 2012, prescribers wrote 37.6 benzodiazepine prescriptions per 100 people in the U.S. Alabama, Tennessee, and West Virginia were the three highest-prescribing states. Benzodiazepines, along with opioid pain relievers are the prescription drugs most often responsible for emergency room visits and drug-related deaths. Emergency department visits increased by 138 percent in 2011 for central nervous system depressants to 422,000 visits. Of those visits, 85 percent involved benzodiazepines like Ativan. In 2012, Pharmacy Times ranked lorazepam number 48 on the list of the 200 most frequently prescribed medications in the U.S.

Slang for Ativan:
Benzos, Heavenly blues, Stupefy, Downers, Tranks, Candy, Sleeping pills

Ativan addiction is common in the United States and the drug continues to be one of the most popular sedatives used by Americans. According to SAMHSA's 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 18.7 million Americans (or 6.9 percent of the population) abused prescription drugs like Ativan. One in six American adults takes at least one psychiatric drug like Ativan over the course of a year. More than 80 percent of people taking psychiatric drugs like Ativan use them on a long-term basis, despite the fact they are designed for short-term use.

Even when taken as prescribed, lorazepam can be abused. Users can quickly develop tolerance and dependence. This drug is not typically indicated for long-term use - many practitioners will limit prescriptions to several weeks, at most. However, even after relatively short durations, people may become unable to function without the drug. Even when taken as prescribed, lorazepam can be abused. Abuse of lorazepam is associated with a number of medical health issues, ranging from mild skin irritation, to impaired muscular coordination, accidental injury, profound memory loss and more. Lorazepam abuse is a serious issue in the US. The Drug Enforcement Administration reports that more than 20 million people have abused drugs like lorazepam in their life. Abuse of lorazepam is a serious issue that deserves professional treatment. Most treatment for lorazepam abuse begins with a visit to a detox center.

60th most prescribed medicine in the United States for 2017

Factoid:
Although Lorazepam is considered safe to use for up to four weeks without fear of developing an addiction, people have reported becoming addicted to the medication after using it for seven days.

Lorazepam should only be used for a short period of time. Continue use of the drug beyond what is considered safe can lead to the development of health complications. The most common health problem that arises from Lorazepam abuse is decreased memory function. A person who uses Lorazepam and similar short-acting drugs like triazolam may have difficulty storing acquired information into his or her long-term memory. This can have a serious impact on the person's life. For example, a student who takes Lorazepam may do poorly on exams because of the inability to retain the material he or she studied.

Factoid:
Lorazepam is categorized as a benzodiazepine drug and can produce all five of the effects associated with that class of drugs: amnesia, convulsion prevention, muscle relaxation, reduce nausea and vomiting, and reduce feelings of anxiety.

Factoid:
Benzodiazepine drugs like Lorazepam account for approximately 60 percent of drug-related suicide attempts that involve the use of pharmaceutical drugs.

How Long Does Ativan Remain in the Body?
When taken orally, Ativan is absorbed slowly and considered to have an intermediate action of onset (between 15 and 30 minutes for most people) compared to other benzodiazepines. An oral dose of Ativan will reach its peak effects within about two hours for most individuals. The half-life of Ativan, the amount of time it takes an individual's system to metabolize the drug to half its original concentration in the bloodstream, is often stated to be about 12 hours; however, a better estimate is between 10 and 20 hours for most individuals. In most cases, it takes about five to six half-lives for the medicinal dose of a drug to be eliminated from an individual's system. Abusers with significant tolerance may take amounts that are extremely high, and it might take longer for the drug to be eliminated.

Pharmacokinetics:

• Absorption:
  When administered orally, drug is well absorbed through the GI tract.
• Distribution:
  Distributed widely throughout the body. Drug is about 85% protein-bound.
• Metabolism:
  Metabolized in the liver to inactive metabolites.
• Excretion:
  Metabolites are excreted in urine as glucuronide conjugates.

The Global Library of Womens Medicine Lorazepam Information:
https://www.glowm.com/resources/glowm/cd/pages/drugs/kl037.html

Lorazepam

Duration: An intermediate acting benzodiazepine commonly known as Ativan, commonly prescribed as an alternative to Xanax. Sedating, hypnotic and anxiolytic. Potential to induce amnesia and lowered inhibitions in overdose. Do not combine with other depressants. NOTE: Warning - higher doses increase the chances of blacking out. Also 1mg Lorazepam = about 10mg Diazepam.
Route	Onset	Duration	After Effects
Tripsit Factsheets
Lorazepam Basic Information: http://drugs.tripsit.me/lorazepam
All ROAs:	5-30 minutes	4-8 hours	1-12 hours
Effects: Anxiolytic, sedative, high muscle relaxant properties.

Lorazepam may also be prescribed to those dealing with nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, and those who are going through alcohol detox and experiencing significant withdrawal symptoms. Mild, moderate, or severe side effects can occur with use of Ativan. Many people will experience mild side effects as they get used to the medication but these usually pass on their own. If severe side effects occur, contact the prescribing doctor immediately. If it appears that someone is in an overdose state due to taking Ativan or other benzodiazepines, contact emergency medical help immediately.

Class Name: Sedative/Hypnotics

ESTAZOLAM | FLURAZEPAM | TRIAZOLAM | TEMAZEPAM | LORAZEPAM

Lorazepam (brand name Ativan) is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety or anxiety associated with depressive symptoms. Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic. Lorazepam binds to an allosteric site on GABA-A receptors, which are pentameric ionotropic receptors in the CNS. Binding potentiates the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which upon binding opens the chloride channel in the receptor, allowing chloride influx and causing hyperpolarization of the neuron. Studies in healthy volunteers show that in single high doses Ativan (lorazepam) has a tranquilizing action on the central nervous system with no appreciable effect on the respiratory or cardiovascular systems. Ativan (lorazepam) is readily absorbed with an absolute bioavailability of 90 percent. The mean half-life of unconjugated lorazepam in human plasma is about 12 hours and for its major metabolite, lorazepam glucuronide, about 18 hours. At clinically relevant concentrations, lorazepam is approximately 85% bound to plasma proteins. Lorazepam is rapidly conjugated at its 3-hydroxy group into lorazepam glucuronide which is then excreted in the urine. Lorazepam glucuronide has no demonstrable CNS activity in animal. Most adverse reactions to benzodiazepines, including CNS effects and respiratory depression, are dose dependent, with more severe effects occurring with high doses. Paradoxical reactions, including anxiety, excitation, agitation, hostility, aggression, rage, sleep disturbances/insomnia, sexual arousal, and hallucinations may occur. Small decreases in blood pressure and hypotension may occur but are usually not clinically significant, probably being related to the relief of anxiety produced by lorazepam.

Lorazepam:
https://drugs.ncats.io/drug/O26FZP769L

Do not take lorazepam if you are allergic to the drug, any of the inactive ingredients of the oral formulations, or other benzodiazepines, including Xanax, Librium, Tranxene, Valium, and Serax.

Because it can offer users a relaxing or euphoric "high," lorazepam is one of the most-abused benzodiazepines in the United States.

Lorazepam is intended to be taken only for a short period of time. Do not take this medication for longer than 4 months without your doctor's advice. Medications like lorazepam may cause birth defects, particularly during the first trimester of pregnancy. Lorazepam oral tablets and concentrate solution have not been proven to be safe or effective in children younger than 12 years of age.

• Be very careful drinking alcohol while taking lorazepam
  You can drink a small amount of alcohol while taking lorazepam but having the two together is likely to make you very sleepy. This will be most noticeable during the early part of your treatment.
• Do not drive a car or ride a bike just after you start taking lorazepam
  Taking lorazepam may make you feel dizzy, sleepy or forgetful, and you may find it difficult to concentrate. It may also cause blurred vision and muscle weakness.
• Try not to take lorazepam for the first time just before your exams
  You may feel forgetful, very sleepy, and find it difficult to concentrate, when you start taking lorazepam.
• Lorazepam can make it hard to concentrate
  
• Lorazepam is not a banned substance in sport, but it may affect your ability to do sport needing a lot of focus
  
• Lorazepam can have side-effects that might affect your sex life
  Losing interest in sex, or sometimes feeling more like having sex. Feeling 'numb' to your normal emotions. For men, finding it difficult to get an erection
• Lorazepam is not thought to affect fertility
• Try not to drink caffeine drinks while you are taking lorazepam
  Caffeine has the opposite effect of lorazepam in your body, and interferes with it working.

Alcohol:
Be aware of the effects of mixing lorazepam and alcohol before you take a drink while on this medication. Lorazepam interacts negatively with alcohol; if you drink while on this drug, your heart rate can slow down, you might have trouble breathing and you can collapse or die. Lorezepam isn't as dangerous as some other drugs; if you aren't drunk, you might not have any side effects. However, drinking while on this drug can be risky.

Breastfeeding:
Lorazepam is found in the breast milk in low levels. No adverse effects were found in a study with 64 breastfeeding babies. When using lorazepam while breastfeeding, watch your baby for sleepiness, low energy, or poor suckling which may be signs your baby is getting too much of the medication. If you suspect that the baby has symptoms such as sleepiness or poor suckling, contact the child's healthcare provider. Talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions.

Breastfeeding:

Summary of Use During Lactation:
Lorazepam has low levels in breastmilk, a short half-life relative to many other benzodiazepines, and is safely administered directly to infants.

Evidence from nursing mothers indicates that lorazepam does not cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants with usual maternal dosages.

No special precautions are required.

Alternate Drugs to Consider:

• Midazolam
• Oxazepam

Lorazepam Drug Levels and Effects:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501231/

Epilepsy:
Lorazepam is a medicine approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat all types of seizures, including absence, myoclonic, atonic (drop attacks), partial seizures and seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. It is most often used together with another antiepileptic drug. It is also used in emergency situations involving seizures. It may also be used for other conditions as well as seizures, such as anxiety. The drug is quickly absorbed after taking it by mouth and it reaches its highest amount in the body in 1-2 hours.

Dravet Syndrome:
Dravet syndrome is a serious form of epilepsy disorder characterized by seizures that begin in infancy and usually are resistant to treatment with anticonvulsants. Prolonged seizures require emergency medical assistance because they greatly increase the risk of brain damage or physical injury. Ativan acts on the GABA receptor. It binds to a region of the receptor called the benzodiazepine allosteric modulatory site making the receptor more sensitive to GABA. So, the addition of Ativan ensures that when GABA binds to its receptor, nerve signaling is turned down more than usual. Ativan can be used to diminish seizure severity and end prolonged seizures in Dravet syndrome patients. To treat seizures, Ativan is injected into the bloodstream by a nurse or physician.

Liver:
As with most benzodiazepines, lorazepam therapy has not been associated with serum aminotransferase or alkaline phosphatase elevations, and clinically apparent liver injury from lorazepam has not been reported and must be very rare, if it occurs at all.

Lorazepam Hepatotoxicity:
Lorazepam, as with other benzodiazepines, is rarely associated with serum ALT elevations, and clinically apparent liver injury from lorazepam is extremely rare, if it occurs at all. There have been no case reports of symptomatic, acute liver injury from lorazepam. Cases of clinically apparent hepatitis have been reported with other benzodiazepines including alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam, diazepam, flurazepam and triazolam. The clinical pattern of acute liver injury from benzodiazepines is typically cholestatic and mild-to-moderate in severity with a latency of 1 to 6 months. Fever and rash are not common nor is autoantibody formation.

E Likelihood score: E (unlikely cause of clinically apparent liver injury).

Lorazepam Overview:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548563/

Children:
Ativan tablets aren't approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in children under 12 years. They're sometimes used off-label in children under 12 years, but this use hasn't been confirmed to be safe. Children may be more likely than adults to experience side effects from Ativan.

Seniors:
In older adults, Ativan should be used cautiously or avoided altogether. Many seniors are more likely to experience side effects such as drowsiness or dizziness. This can increase their risk of falls, which can lead to bone fractures. Lower dosages are often needed for seniors.

Before giving lorazepam to your child:
Your child should not take lorazepam if they have:

• An allergy to lorazepam or anything else in lorazepam
• An allergy to benzodiazepine drugs like diazepam or alprazolam
• A muscle disease called myasthenia gravis
• A disease called acute narrow angle glaucoma

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions:

• A severe breathing problem (like sleep apnea)
• Severe kidney or liver disease

Long-term Use:
Long-term abuse can have serious effects on physical and mental health. Anxiety is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in the United States, and as a result, anti-anxiety drugs have become among the most popular prescription medications in the country. Over the long-term, Ativan abuse can have a negative impact on an individual's physical, psychological, and emotional health, as well as on the quality of home life and relationships. Even a patient who takes Ativan according to a doctor's instructions can become dependent on the medication over time; for this reason, lorazepam and other benzodiazepines are often prescribed for limited periods of time. One of the biggest risks of Ativan abuse is the possibility that Ativan dependency can turn into addiction.

Because Ativan is a legal, frequently prescribed medication, many people have the false impression that this drug is "safe"compared to illicit drugs like meth or heroin. However, when Ativan is abused, this medication can be as harmful as any other substance. As a central nervous system depressant, lorazepam slows down the functions of the brain and body. Electrical activity in the brain and nerves slows down after the user takes Ativan, which affects cognitive function, learning, memory, response times, and reflexes. Although Ativan does not typically cause severe suppression of the respiratory or cardiovascular systems, a fatal overdose can occur when the drug is combined with other central nervous system depressants.

Summary of Black Box Warnings:
The FDA has found that benzodiazepine drugs, such as lorazepam, when used in combination with opioid medications or other sedating medications can result in serious adverse reactions including slowed or difficult breathing and death. Patients taking opioids with benzodiazepines, other sedating medications, or alcohol, and caregivers of these patients, should seek immediate medical attention if that start to experience unusual dizziness or lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slow or difficulty breathing, or unresponsiveness.

Ativan, Lorazepam Intensol (lorazepam) (Rx)

Black Box Warnings:
Lorazepam (Rx) Information: https://reference.medscape.com/drug/ativan-loraz-lorazepam-342906
Risks From Concomitant Use With Opioids Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation Addiction, abuse, and misuse On September 2020, FDA addressed serious risks of benzodiazepine addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death Physical dependence can occur when taken steadily for several days to weeks, even as prescribed Stopping abruptly or reducing dosage too quickly can result in withdrawal reactions, including seizures, which can be life-threatening Assess each patient's risk prior to prescribing and monitor regularly for the development of these behaviors or conditions

Ativan (lorazepam)

Side Effects: Lorazepam is not a narcotic, but may produce narcotic effects. It may have adverse reactions when taken while using antihistamine medications. Side effects and symptoms that are most commonly associated with this medicine are drowsiness and lightheadedness.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
RxList
Lorazepam Information: https://www.rxlist.com/consumer_lorazepam_ativan/drugs-condition.htm
Call your doctor at once if you have: severe drowsiness thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself unusual changes in mood or behavior confusion, aggression, hallucinations worsened sleep problems sudden restless feeling or excitement muscle weakness, drooping eyelids, trouble swallowing vision changes upper stomach pain, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Common side effects may include: dizziness, drowsiness weakness slurred speech, lack of balance or coordination memory problems feeling unsteady
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about lorazepam?

• You should not use this medicine if you have narrow-angle glaucoma or myasthenia gravis, or if you are allergic to Valium or a similar medicine.
• Do not use lorazepam if you are pregnant.
• This medicine can cause birth defects or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in a newborn.
• Lorazepam may be habit-forming.
• Misuse of habit-forming medicine can cause addiction, overdose, or death.

https://www.cigna.com/individuals-families/health-wellness/hw/medications/lorazepam-d00149a1

IMPORTANT WARNING:
Lorazepam may increase the risk of serious or life-threatening breathing problems, sedation, or coma if used along with certain medications. Tell your doctor if you are taking or plan to take certain opiate medications for cough such as codeine (in Triacin-C, in Tuzistra XR) or hydrocodone (in Anexsia, in Norco, in Zyfrel) or for pain such as codeine (in Fiorinal), fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic, Subsys, others), hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Exalgo), meperidine (Demerol), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), morphine (Astramorph, Duramorph PF, Kadian), oxycodone (in Oxycet, in Percocet, in Roxicet, others), and tramadol (Conzip, Ultram, in Ultracet). Drinking alcohol or using street drugs during your treatment with lorazepamLor also increases the risk that you will experience these serious, life-threatening side effects. Do not drink alcohol or use street drugs during your treatment.

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

It is dangerous to purchase lorazepam on the Internet or outside the United States. The sale and distribution of medicines outside the U.S. does not comply with safe-use regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These medications may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy.

Important Information:
You should not use lorazepam if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, severe respiratory insufficiency, myasthenia gravis, or if you are allergic to Valium or a similar medicine.

Do not use lorazepam if you are pregnant. This medicine can cause birth defects or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in a newborn.

Lorazepam may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for.

Misuse of habit-forming medicine can cause addiction, overdose, or death.

This medicine should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

Fatal side effects can occur if you take lorazepam with alcohol, opioid medicine, or other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.

Avoid drinking alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how lorazepam will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Interactions:

Drug Interactions (356) Alcohol/Food Interactions (2) Disease Interactions (12)

What other drugs will affect Lorazepam?
Taking lorazepam with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, prescription cough medicine, or medicine for depression or seizures. Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• probenecid, aminophylline, or theophylline
• any other medicines to treat anxiety
• medicine to treat mental illness
• seizure medicine
• medicine that contains an antihistamine (such as sleep medicine, cold or allergy medicine)

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with lorazepam, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

A total of 356 drugs are known to interact with Lorazepam.

• 27 major drug interactions
• 297 moderate drug interactions
• 32 minor drug interactions

Lorazepam Interactions:
https://www.drugs.com/lorazepam.html

Lorazepam (oral) Patient Information Leaflet:
https://www.drugs.com/lorazepam.html

Ativan Tablets (lorazepam)

Maximum Dosage:
Prescribers Digital Reference
Lorazepam Drug Summary: https://www.pdr.net/drug-summary/Ativan-Tablets-lorazepam-2135.1869
Adults	10 mg/day PO; maximum IM and IV dose highly variable dependent upon indication.
Geriatric	10 mg/day PO; maximum IM and IV dose highly variable depending upon indication.
Adolescents	10 mg/day PO for anxiety disorders; 4 mg/day PO for insomnia. Safety and efficacy of parenteral lorazepam have not been established. Specific maximum dosage information not available; the dose required is dependent on route of administration, indication, and clinical response.
Children	12 years: 10 mg/day PO for anxiety disorders; 4 mg/day PO for insomnia. Safety and efficacy of parenteral lorazepam have not been established. Specific maximum dosage information not available; the dose required is dependent on route of administration, indication, and clinical response
Children	1 to 11 years: Safety and efficacy have not been established. Specific maximum dosage information not available; the dose required is dependent on route of administration, indication, and clinical response.
Infants	Safety and efficacy have not been established. Specific maximum dosage information not available; the dose required is dependent on route of administration, indication, and clinical response.
Neonates	Safety and efficacy have not been established. Specific maximum dosage information not available; the dose required is dependent on route of administration, indication, and clinical response.

It is a nearly white powder almost insoluble in water. Each Ativan (lorazepam) tablet, to be taken orally, contains 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg of lorazepam. The inactive ingredients present are lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polacriline potassium.

Pediatric:
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of lorazepam in children younger than 12 years of age.

Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric:
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of lorazepam in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have unwanted effects (eg, severe drowsiness or unsteadiness) and age-related kidney or liver problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose.

Breastfeeding:
Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Other Medical Problems:
Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Alcohol abuse
• Drug abuse or dependence
• Lung or breathing problems (eg, COPD, sleep apnea)
• Seizures, or history of - Use with caution. May make these conditions worse

• Depression
• Psychosis - Use is not recommended in patients with these conditions

• Glaucoma, acute narrow-angle - Should not be used in patients with this condition

• Kidney disease
• Liver disease - Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body

Lorazepam (Oral Route) (Ativan | Lorazepam Intensol):
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/lorazepam-oral-route/description/drg-20072296

Lorazepam (Ativan) is an inexpensive drug used to treat anxiety. This drug is slightly more popular than comparable drugs. It is available in both brand and generic forms. Generic lorazepam is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, but some pharmacy coupons or cash prices may be lower.

The generic name for the prescription drug "Ativan", wich is an anti-anxiety benzodiazepine(benzo). Many people use it to "chill" from the daily stresses of life. Also, it can be used to help a bad trip, such as a bad acid trip. Another use is to boost the euphoriant effects of opioids, such as heroin.

Lorazepam:

• A benzodiazepine medication
• Used to treat anxiety disorders, trouble sleeping, active seizures including status epilepticus, alcohol withdrawal, and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. It is also used during surgery to interfere with memory formation and to sedate those who are being mechanically ventilated. It is also used, along with other treatments, for acute coronary syndrome due to cocaine use.
• It can be given by mouth or as an injection into a muscle or vein.
• When given by injection onset of effects is between one and thirty minutes and effects last for up to a day.
• Common side effects include weakness, sleepiness, low blood pressure, and a decreased effort to breathe. When given intravenously the person should be closely monitored.
• Among those who are depressed there may be an increased risk of suicide.
• With long-term use, larger doses may be required for the same effect.
• Physical dependence and psychological dependence may also occur.
• If stopped suddenly after long-term use, benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome may occur.
• Initially patented in 1963
• Went on sale in the United States in 1977
• It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines
• It is available as a generic medication
• In 2018, it was the 58th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 13 million prescriptions.

Older people more often develop adverse effects. In this age group lorazepam is associated with falls and hip fractures. Due to these concerns, lorazepam use is generally only recommended for up to two to four weeks