Lorazepam is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. It is used to treat anxiety disorders, trouble sleeping, severe agitation, active seizures, alcohol withdrawal and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Lorazepam works by enhancing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that have a calming effect. Lorazepam is available in various forms, such as tablets, oral solution, injection and rectal gel. It is also available in combination with other drugs, such as zopiclone, for insomnia.

Última actualización 07/08/2023 por Jonathan Dade

What Is Lorazepam?

Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine medication that has sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant properties. It is used to treat various conditions that involve excessive or inappropriate nervous system activity, such as anxiety disorders, insomnia, seizures, alcohol withdrawal and nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. Lorazepam acts on specific receptors in the brain called GABA receptors, which are involved in regulating the activity of nerve cells. By increasing the effects of GABA, lorazepam reduces the excitability of nerve cells and produces a calming effect.

What are the advantages of Lorazepam?

Some of the advantages of lorazepam are:

• It can provide effective relief for anxiety, insomnia, agitation, seizures and nausea and vomiting that are not controlled by other medications.
• It can be used for short-term or intermittent treatment of these conditions, as well as for emergency situations such as status epilepticus (a prolonged or repeated seizure) or severe alcohol withdrawal.
• It can be taken orally or by injection, depending on the severity and duration of the symptoms.
• It has a relatively short duration of action (about 6 to 12 hours), which reduces the risk of accumulation and dependence compared to longer-acting benzodiazepines.
• It has fewer drug interactions than some other benzodiazepines, such as diazepam or alprazolam.

What are the disadvantages of Lorazepam?

Some of the disadvantages of lorazepam are:

• It can cause various side effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, memory impairment, impaired coordination, blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation and dependence.
• It can impair your ability to drive or operate machinery, especially when you start taking it or increase the dose.
• It can interact with alcohol and other central nervous system depressants, such as opioids, antihistamines and antidepressants. This can increase the risk of respiratory depression (slow or shallow breathing), coma and death.
• It can cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it suddenly or reduce the dose too quickly. These symptoms may include anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, tremor, nausea, vomiting and seizures.
• It can be abused or misused by people who are looking for a euphoric or sedative effect. This can lead to overdose and addiction.
• It can be harmful for pregnant or breastfeeding women and their babies. It can cross the placenta and the breast milk and cause adverse effects on the fetus or the infant.

Why is Lorazepam prescribed?

Lorazepam is prescribed when other medications are not effective or suitable for treating anxiety disorders, insomnia, seizures, alcohol withdrawal or nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. It is also prescribed to provide sedation before surgery or medical procedures.

Why buy Lorazepam without prescription?

You should not buy lorazepam without prescription from any source. Buying lorazepam without prescription can be dangerous for several reasons:

• You may not know the source, quality or authenticity of the lorazepam you buy online or from other sources. You may end up with counterfeit, adulterated or expired lorazepam that can harm your health.
• You may not know the right dose, frequency or duration of lorazepam for your condition. You may take too much or too little lorazepam and experience serious side effects or inadequate symptom relief.
• You may not be aware of the potential interactions, contraindications or precautions of lorazepam with other medications, medical conditions or lifestyle factors. You may increase your risk of adverse reactions or complications by taking lorazepam without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
• You may develop a tolerance, dependence or addiction to lorazepam if you use it without medical guidance. You may experience withdrawal symptoms or cravings if you try to stop or reduce lorazepam on your own.
• You may break the law by buying lorazepam without prescription. Lorazepam is a controlled substance that is subject to strict regulations and penalties. You may face legal consequences if you are caught buying, possessing or selling lorazepam without prescription.

How to use Lorazepam?

You should use lorazepam exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the instructions on the label and do not take more or less than the recommended dose. Do not crush, chew or break the tablets, as this may affect the release and absorption of lorazepam. Swallow them whole with a glass of water.

What dosage of Lorazepam should you take?

The dosage of lorazepam depends on your age, weight, condition, response to treatment and other factors. Your doctor will determine the best dosage for you and adjust it as needed. The following are some general guidelines for lorazepam dosage:

Adult dosage (ages 18 to 64 years)

The usual adult dosage of lorazepam for anxiety is 2 to 3 mg per day in divided doses. The maximum dose is 10 mg per day. For insomnia, the usual adult dosage of lorazepam is 1 to 2 mg at bedtime. The maximum dose is 4 mg per day. For seizures, the usual adult dosage of lorazepam is 4 mg given by injection. This dose may be repeated after 10 to 15 minutes if needed. The maximum dose is 8 mg per day. For alcohol withdrawal, the usual adult dosage of lorazepam is 2 to 4 mg given by injection every hour until agitation is controlled. The maximum dose is 8 mg per day. For nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, the usual adult dosage of lorazepam is 0.5 to 2 mg given by mouth before each treatment and every 8 hours as needed. The maximum dose is 10 mg per day.

Child dosage (ages 0 to 5 months)

Lorazepam is not recommended for children younger than 6 months of age.

Child dosage (ages 6 months to 17 years)

The child dosage of lorazepam is based on the child’s weight and condition. The usual child dosage of lorazepam for anxiety is 0.05 to 0.1 mg per kg per day in divided doses. The maximum dose is 6 mg per day. For insomnia, the usual child dosage of lorazepam is 0.05 mg per kg at bedtime. The maximum dose is 2 mg per day. For seizures, the usual child dosage of lorazepam is 0.05 to 0.1 mg per kg given by injection. This dose may be repeated after 10 to 15 minutes if needed. The maximum dose is 4 mg per day.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The senior dosage of lorazepam may be lower than the adult dosage, as older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of lorazepam. The usual senior dosage of lorazepam for anxiety is 1 to 2 mg per day in divided doses. The maximum dose is 6 mg per day. For insomnia, the usual senior dosage of lorazepam is 0.5 to 1 mg at bedtime. The maximum dose is 2 mg per day.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of lorazepam, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

How to take Lorazepam?

You should take lorazepam with or without food, depending on your

What are Lorazepam side effects?

Lorazepam may cause some side effects, especially when you start taking it or change the dose. Some of the common side effects of lorazepam are:

• Feeling sleepy, tired or drowsy in the daytime
• Feeling dizzy, lightheaded or unsteady
• Feeling confused, forgetful or having trouble concentrating
• Feeling nervous, restless or irritable
• Having blurred vision or changes in vision
• Having dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea

Some of the serious side effects of lorazepam are:

• Respiratory depression (severely slow, shallow breathing) or trouble breathing, especially if you have lung problems or take other drugs that affect breathing
• Seizures, especially if you have a history of epilepsy or take other drugs that lower the seizure threshold
• Allergic reactions (hives, difficulty breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or severe skin reactions (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling)
• Low blood pressure (hypotension), fast heart rate (tachycardia) or irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia), especially if you have heart problems or take other drugs that affect the heart
• Liver damage (hepatotoxicity), especially if you have liver problems or take other drugs that affect the liver
• Kidney damage (nephrotoxicity), especially if you have kidney problems or take other drugs that affect the kidney
• Withdrawal symptoms (such as anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, tremor, nausea, vomiting and seizures) if you stop taking lorazepam suddenly or reduce the dose too quickly

If you experience any of these side effects, you should contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention right away. You should also report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor. Do not stop taking lorazepam without your doctor’s advice .

What may interact with this medication?

Lorazepam may interact with many other medications, which can affect how it works or increase the risk of serious side effects. You should tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the medications you are taking, including prescription, over-the-counter, herbal and recreational drugs. Some of the medications that may interact with lorazepam are:

Acid-suppressing drugs

These drugs are used to treat heartburn, ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). They include omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole and pantoprazole. They may reduce the absorption of lorazepam and make it less effective for anxiety or insomnia.

Allergy or cold drugs

These drugs are used to treat allergic reactions, runny nose, cough and congestion. They include antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, cetirizine and loratadine, and decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. They may increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by lorazepam.

Antidepressants

These drugs are used to treat depression, anxiety and other mood disorders. They include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as duloxetine and venlafaxine, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as phenelzine and tranylcypromine. They may increase the levels of lorazepam and serotonin in the brain, which can lead to seizures and serotonin syndrome .

Antifungal drugs

These drugs are used to treat fungal infections, such as thrush, ringworm and athlete’s foot. They include ketoconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole. They may increase the levels of lorazepam in the blood, which can increase the risk of side effects .

Antipsychotic drugs

These drugs are used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other psychotic conditions. They include haloperidol, risperidone, quetiapine and olanzapine. They may increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by lorazepam .

Anxiety drugs

These drugs are used to treat anxiety, panic disorder and insomnia. They include benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, alprazolam and lorazepam, and z-drugs, such as zolpidem, zopiclone and zaleplon. They may increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by lorazepam. They may also increase the risk of respiratory depression (slow or shallow breathing) when taken with lorazepam .

Motion sickness drugs

These drugs are used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness or other causes. They include dimenhydrinate, meclizine and scopolamine. They may increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by lorazepam .

Frequently asked questions