About lorazepam
Benzodiazepine sedative and anti-anxiety medicine
Used for
- Short-term relief of severe anxiety
- Short-term treatment of insomnia related to anxiety
- Calming before medical procedures
Usual adult dose
Anxiety: usually 1–4 mg daily in divided doses. Insomnia: 1–2 mg at bedtime. Procedure doses vary.
Usual dose in children
Not routinely used in children; specialist-directed doses depend on age, weight, and purpose.
Common side effects
- Sleepiness and dizziness
- Weakness or poor coordination
- Confusion or memory problems
- Dependence and withdrawal symptoms
Important warnings
- Can cause dependence; use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time.
- Avoid alcohol; combining with opioids or other sedatives can dangerously slow breathing.
- May impair driving, alertness, and coordination.
- Do not stop suddenly after regular use; withdrawal can be serious.
Pregnancy
May harm or sedate the baby, especially near delivery. Use only when a clinician judges benefits outweigh risks.
Breastfeeding
Can cause infant sleepiness or poor feeding. Seek clinical guidance; repeated use may require monitoring or an alternative.
Interactions
- Opioids and other sedatives increase severe drowsiness and breathing problems.
- Alcohol increases sedation and impaired coordination.
- Some medicines, including valproate or probenecid, can increase lorazepam effects.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.