This medication is used to treat serious seizures that do not stop (status epilepticus). It is also used before surgeries or procedures to cause drowsiness, decrease anxiety, and cause forgetfulness about the procedure or surgery.

Lorazepam belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines, which produce a calming effect on the brain and nerves (central nervous system). It is thought to work by increasing the effect of a certain natural chemical (GABA) in the brain.

OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This drug may also be used to cause drowsiness in patients who need a tube and machine to help with breathing (intubated), to prevent nausea and vomiting in patients on chemotherapy, and to treat a mental/mood disorder (delirium).

This medication is given by injection into a vein or muscle by a health care professional. When given into a vein, the medication must be diluted with an equal amount of a compatible solution (e.g., normal saline injection, 5 percent dextrose injection), and the rate of injection should not be faster than 2 milligrams per minute. Before using this product, check it visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. If you have questions about the use of this medication, consult the pharmacist.

Do not inject this medication into an artery.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.

This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms (such as loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, mental/mood changes such as anxiety/agitation) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.

Though very unlikely, abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction) is possible with this medication. Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently, or take it for a longer time than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed.

When used for an extended period, this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Drowsiness, dizziness, or unsteadiness may occur. If this medication is injected into a muscle, pain/burning/redness at the injection site may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: slow/shallow breathing, loss of consciousness, pain/swelling at injection site (if this drug is injected into a vein), seizures, blurred vision, mental/mood changes (e.g., hallucinations, agitation, confusion).

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: change in the amount of urine, shortness of breath, fast breathing, muscle weakness.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using lorazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam), or to polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or benzyl alcohol; or if you have any other allergies.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: glaucoma (narrow-angle), breathing trouble during sleep (sleep apnea), severe breathing problems (except in patients who are breathing with help from a machine).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: glaucoma (open-angle), kidney disease, liver disease, personal or family history of regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol, breathing problems (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD).

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. For at least 8 hours after receiving this drug, you should not get out of bed without help. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until the effects of the medication wear off (at least 24 hours). Avoid alcoholic beverages.

Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially drowsiness.

This drug may have an opposite effect on children, causing restlessness, shaking (tremors), or mental/mood changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations).

This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor for more details.

This drug passes into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

This drug should not be used with the following medication because very serious interactions may occur: sodium oxybate.

If you are currently using the medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting lorazepam.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: birth control pills, clozapine, haloperidol, kava, probenecid, scopolamine, valproic acid.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine, phenobarbital), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone, loxapine).

Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: extreme drowsiness/dizziness, confusion, extreme tiredness, unsteadiness, loss of consciousness.

Do not share this medication with others. It is against the law.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Refrigerate this medication. Do not freeze. Protect from light. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised July 2009 Copyright(c) 2009 First DataBank, Inc.