Lorazepam

Drug Status in USA : Approved
Drug Status in Canada : Approved

pronunciation

pronounced as (lor a' ze pam)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Lorazepam is used to relieve anxiety. Lorazepam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by slowing activity in the brain to allow for relaxation.


How should this medicine be used?

Lorazepam comes as a tablet and concentrate (liquid) to take by mouth. It usually is taken two or three times a day and may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take lorazepam exactly as directed.

Lorazepam concentrate (liquid) comes with a specially marked dropper for measuring the dose. Ask your pharmacist to show you how to use the dropper. Dilute the concentrate in 1 ounce (30 milliliters) or more of water, juice, or carbonated beverages just before taking it. It also may be mixed with applesauce or pudding just before taking the dose.

Lorazepam can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer time than your doctor tells you to. Tolerance may develop with long-term or excessive use, making the drug less effective. Do not take lorazepam for more than 4 months or stop taking this medication without talking to your doctor. Stopping the drug suddenly can worsen your condition and cause withdrawal symptoms (anxiousness, sleeplessness, and irritability). Your doctor probably will decrease your dose gradually.


What are the precautions to be followed?

Before taking lorazepam,
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to lorazepam, alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Librax), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), estazolam (ProSom), flurazepam (Dalmane), oxazepam (Serax), prazepam (Centrax), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in lorazepam tablets or concentrate. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: antihistamines; digoxin (Lanoxin); levodopa (Larodopa, Sinemet); medications for depression, seizures, pain, Parkinson's disease, asthma, colds, or allergies; muscle relaxants; oral contraceptives; probenecid (Benemid); rifampin (Rifadin); sedatives; sleeping pills; theophylline (Theo-Dur); tranquilizers; and valproic acid (Depakene).Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glaucoma; seizures; or lung, heart, or liver disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking lorazepam, call your doctor immediately.
  • talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medication if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should take lower doses of lorazepam because higher doses may not be more effective and are more likely to cause serious side effects.
  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking lorazepam.
  • you should know that this medication may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
  • talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcohol during your treatment with lorazepam. Alcohol can make the side effects of this medication worse.
  • tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this medication.

What are possible side effects of this medication ?

Lorazepam may cause side effects. Call your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:
  • drowsiness
  • dizziness
  • tiredness
  • weakness
  • dry mouth
  • diarrhea
  • nausea
  • changes in appetite
  • restlessness or excitement
  • constipation
  • difficulty urinating
  • frequent urination
  • blurred vision
  • changes in sex drive or ability
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
  • shuffling walk
  • persistent, fine tremor or inability to sit still
  • fever
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • severe skin rash
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • irregular heartbeat

Lorazepam may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.


How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.


Drug Category/Class

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Anticonvulsants
  • GABA Modulators
  • Antiemetics
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Nervous System
  • Benzodiazepine Derivatives
  • Anxiolytics
  • Psycholeptics
  • Benzodiazepine derivatives
Prescribed For the management of anxiety disorders, and for treatment of status epilepticus.
Weight :321.158
Structure Lorazepam
Generic Drug Lorazepam prescribed For the management of anxiety disorders, and for treatment of status epilepticus.
Formula

C15H10Cl2N2O2

Lorazepam has 99 Brands listed


Almazine (1 mg)Almazine (2 mg)
Almazine (2.5 mg)Anxilor (1 mg)
Anxilor (2 mg)Anxilor Inj (4 mg)
Anxionil (1 mg)Anxionil (2 mg)
Anxipose (0.5 mg)Anxipose (1 mg)
Anxipose (2 mg)Atilor (1 mg)
Atilor (2 mg)Atipam (1 mg)
Atipam (1 mg) (Ind-Swift)Atipam (2 mg)
Atipam (2 mg) (Ind-Swift)Ativan (1 mg)
Ativan (2 mg)Benj (1 mg)
Benz (1 mg)Biokalm (1 mg)
Biokalm (2 mg)Biolar (2 mg)
C Van (1 mg)C Van (2 mg)
Calmese (1 mg)Calmese (2 mg)
Calmese inj (4 mg)Dulozep (1 mg)
Dulozep (2 mg)L Pam (1 mg)
L Pam (2 mg)L Pam (3 mg)
L Zepam (1 mg)L Zepam (2 mg)
Larosh (1 mg)Larosh (2 mg)
Larpose (1 mg)Larpose (2 mg)
Lopam (1 mg)Lopez (1 mg)
Lopez (2 mg)Lopez Inj (4 mg)
Lora (4 mg)Loracalm (1 mg)
Loracalm (2 mg)Loracord (2 mg)
Lorakar (2 mg)Loralite (1 mg)
Loralite (2 mg)Loram (1 mg)
Loram (2 mg)Lorasure MD (2 mg)
Lorasure MD (3 mg)Lorax (1 mg)
Lorax (2 mg)Lorazam (1 mg)
Lorazam (2 mg)Lorazepam (1 mg)
Lorazine (1 mg)Lorazine (2 mg)
Lorel (1 mg)Lorel (2 mg)
Lori (2 mg)Loripam (1 mg)
Loripam (2 mg)Loripam (2 mg) (Research Medicure)
Loripam SL (1 mg)Loripam SL (2 mg)
Loriv (2 mg)Lorivan (1 mg)
Lorivan (2 mg)Lorpam (1 mg)
Lorpam (2 mg)Lorpik (1 mg)
Lorpik (2 mg)Lorvan (1 mg)
Lorvan (2 mg)Lorvin (1 mg)
Lorvin (2 mg)Norpose (1 mg)
Norpose (2 mg)Olraz (1 mg)
Olraz (2 mg)Orazep (1 mg)
Orazep (2 mg)Psycopan (1 mg)
Psycopan (2 mg)Symlor (1 mg)
Symlor (2 mg)Trapex (1 mg)
Trapex (2 mg)Trapex Inj (2 mg)
Urpam (1 mg)Zelor (1 mg)
Zepatrac (2 mg)Zepnap (1 mg)
Zepnap (2 mg)

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