Lorazepam belongs to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system).

Lorazepam is an Antianxiety agent ( benzodiazepines, mild tranquilizer ) used for the relief of anxiety, agitation, irritability, to relieve insomnia, to calm people with mania / schizophrenia, and intravenously as a sedative and nervous tension or prior to surgery to relief the anxiety.

Many of the benzodiazepines are used in the treatment of other conditions, also. Diazepam is used to help relax muscles or relieve muscle spasm. Diazepam injection is used before some medical procedures to relieve anxiety and to reduce memory of the procedure. Chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, diazepam, and oxazepam are used to treat the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Alprazolam and clonazepam are used in the treatment of panic disorder. Clobazam, clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam, and Lorazepam are used in the treatment of certain convulsive (seizure) disorders, such as epilepsy. The benzodiazepines may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Lorazepam may be habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence), especially when taken for a long time or in high doses.

Special precautions

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For Lorazepam , the following should be considered:

Allergies— tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to Lorazepam . Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes. Certain Lorazepam products may contain lactose, parabens, or soybean oil.

Pregnancy— Chlordiazepoxide and diazepam have been reported to increase the chance of birth defects when used during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Although similar problems have not been reported with the other Lorazepam , the chance always exists since all of the benzodiazepines are related.

Studies in animals have shown that clonazepam, Lorazepam , and temazepam cause birth defects or other problems, including death of the animal fetus.

Too much use of Lorazepam during pregnancy may cause the baby to become dependent on the medicine. This may lead to withdrawal side effects after birth. Also, use of Lorazepam during pregnancy, especially during the last weeks, may cause body temperature problems, breathing problems, difficulty in feeding, drowsiness, or muscle weakness in the newborn infant.

Lorazepam given just before or during labor may cause weakness in the newborn infant. When diazepam is given in high doses (especially by injection) within 15 hours before delivery, it may cause breathing problems, muscle weakness, difficulty in feeding, and body temperature problems in the newborn infant.

Breast-feeding— Lorazepam may pass into the breast milk and cause drowsiness, difficulty in feeding, and weight loss in nursing babies of mothers taking these medicines.

Children— Most of the side effects of these medicines are more likely to occur in children, especially the very young. These patients are usually more sensitive than adults to the effects of Lorazepam .

Older adults— Most of the side effects of these medicines are more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of Lorazepam .

Taking Lorazepam for trouble in sleeping may cause more daytime drowsiness in elderly patients than in younger adults. In addition, falls and related injuries are more likely to occur in elderly patients taking Lorazepam .

Other medicines— although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking or receiving Lorazepam it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Other medical problems— the presence of other medical problems may affect the use of benzodiazepines. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

•  Alcohol abuse (or history of) or

•  Drug abuse or dependence (or history of)—Dependence on Lorazepam may be more likely to develop

•  Brain disease—CNS depression and other side effects of Lorazepam may be more likely to occur

•  Difficulty in swallowing (in children) or

•  Emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, or other chronic lung disease or

•  Hyperactivity or

•  Mental depression or

•  Mental illness (severe) or

•  Myasthenia gravis or

•  Porphyria or

•  Sleep apnea (temporary stopping of breathing during sleep)— Lorazepam may make these conditions worse

•  Epilepsy or history of seizures—Although some Lorazepam are used in treating epilepsy, starting or suddenly stopping treatment with these medicines may increase seizures

•  Glaucoma, acute narrow angle— Lorazepam should NOT be used if you have this condition.

•  Glaucoma, open angle— Lorazepam can be used but your doctor should be monitoring your condition carefully.

•  Kidney or liver disease—Higher blood levels of Lorazepam may result, increasing the chance that side effects will occur

Side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

•  Less common

• Anxiety;  confusion (may be more common in the elderly);  fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat ;  lack of memory of events taking place after benzodiazepine is taken (may be more common with triazolam);  mental depression 

•  Rare

• Abnormal thinking, including disorientation, delusions (holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts), or loss of sense of reality ;  agitation;  behavior changes, including aggressive behavior, bizarre behavior, decreased inhibition, or outbursts of anger;  convulsions (seizures);  hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there);  hypotension (low blood pressure);  muscle weakness;  skin rash or itching ;  sore throat, fever, and chills;  trouble in sleeping;  ulcers or sores in mouth or throat (continuing);  uncontrolled movements of body, including the eyes;  unusual bleeding or bruising ;  unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability ;  unusual tiredness or weakness (severe);  yellow eyes or skin 

•  Symptoms of overdose

• Confusion (continuing);  convulsions (seizures);  drowsiness (severe) or coma;  shakiness;  slow heartbeat;  slow reflexes;  slurred speech (continuing) ;  staggering;  troubled breathing ;  weakness (severe) 

For patients having chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, or Lorazepam injected :

•  Check with your doctor if there is redness, swelling, or pain at the place of injection.

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

•  More common

• Clumsiness or unsteadiness;  dizziness or lightheadedness;  drowsiness;  slurred speech 

•  Less common or rare

• Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain;  blurred vision or other changes in vision;  changes in sexual desire or ability;  constipation;  diarrhea;  dryness of mouth or increased thirst;  false sense of well-being;  headache;  increased bronchial secretions or watering of mouth;  muscle spasm;  nausea or vomiting;  problems with urination;  trembling or shaking;  unusual tiredness or weakness 

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor. Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication.