Lorazepam: uses, side effects and safety
Lorazepam (Ativan) is a benzodiazepine. It is a US Schedule IV controlled substance. It is prescription only (rx) and remains on the US market.
What is Lorazepam?
Lorazepam is the generic name for Ativan, and belongs to the Benzodiazepine class.
| Generic name | lorazepam |
|---|---|
| Brand name(s) | Ativan |
| Drug class | Benzodiazepine |
| US legal status | US Schedule IV · Prescription only (Rx) |
| Route | Oral |
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Elimination half-life | Mean half-life of unconjugated lorazepam in human plasma about 12 hours; mean half-life of the major metabolite lorazepam glucuronide about 18 hours |
| Time to peak concentration | approximately 2 (peak plasma concentrations occur approximately 2 hours following administration) |
| Metabolism | Rapidly conjugated at the 3-hydroxy group into lorazepam glucuronide (glucuronidation); not metabolized by cytochrome P450 |
What is Lorazepam used for?
Lorazepam is approved by the FDA for the following uses. Approval is granted per indication, and a specific product may not be approved for all of them.
- Short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety
- Anxiety associated with depressive symptoms
Common side effects of Lorazepam
These are the side effects people report most often. Many diminish after the body adjusts, usually within one to two weeks.
- In a sample of about 3,500 patients treated for anxiety: sedation (15.9%), dizziness (6.9%), weakness (4.2%), unsteadiness (3.4%)
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Amnesia
- Memory impairment
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Depression
- Ataxia
- Tremor
- Vertigo
- Headache
- Nausea
What does Lorazepam interact with?
Interactions matter because two safe medicines can become dangerous together. The entries below are the ones most likely to cause harm.
- Opioids (boxed warning: profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, death)
- Alcohol and other CNS depressants
- Probenecid: reduce lorazepam dosage by approximately 50% due to increased half-life and decreased clearance
- Valproate: reduce lorazepam dosage by approximately 50%
- Theophylline and aminophylline may reduce the sedative effect of lorazepam
Use our drug interaction checker before combining any two prescriptions.
Serious side effects and warning signs
Seek emergency care for any of these
- Boxed warning: concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death
- Respiratory depression, apnea, worsening of sleep apnea, worsening of obstructive pulmonary disease, coma
- Convulsions/seizures
- Acute withdrawal reactions that can be life-threatening, including seizures
- Protracted withdrawal syndrome lasting weeks to more than 12 months
- Suicidal ideation and attempt
- Hypersensitivity and anaphylactoid reactions
- Neonatal sedation and withdrawal syndrome with use late in pregnancy
Suspected overdose or a bad reaction should be reported to Poison Control on 1-800-222-1222. That is staffed around the clock and is free.
Legal status of Lorazepam
Lorazepam is a Schedule IV controlled substance in the United States. That placement is set out in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1308, and enforced by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It carries restrictions on prescribing, storage, record-keeping and transfer.
Statutory reference: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=89057c93-8155-4040-acec-64e877bd2b4c.
Can you get Lorazepam without a prescription?
Short answer: no. Lorazepam is a prescription medication. Sites advertising it without one are either operating illegally or selling something other than what they claim. We explain the legal routes, the counterfeit problem and how to check a source in detail.
Read the full answer: Lorazepam without a prescription →
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What is Lorazepam used for?
Short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety Anxiety associated with depressive symptoms
What schedule is Lorazepam in the United States?
Lorazepam is a Schedule IV controlled substance in the US, listed at 21 CFR Part 1308. Schedule IV means the drug has a defined potential for abuse and is subject to federal record-keeping, storage and prescribing restrictions.
What are the common side effects of Lorazepam?
The most frequently reported side effects are in a sample of about 3,500 patients treated for anxiety: sedation (15.9%), dizziness (6.9%), weakness (4.2%), unsteadiness (3.4%), fatigue, drowsiness, amnesia, memory impairment, confusion. Many lessen over the first week or two of treatment.
What should not be combined with Lorazepam?
The most clinically important interactions are with opioids (boxed warning: profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, death), alcohol and other cns depressants, probenecid: reduce lorazepam dosage by approximately 50% due to increased half-life and decreased clearance, valproate: reduce lorazepam dosage by approximately 50%. Always give a pharmacist or prescriber a complete list of everything you take, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
Sources & references
Important
This site provides educational information only and does not sell, prescribe or dispense medications. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider. This page is not medical advice.