Lorazepam (By injection)
lor-AZ-e-pam
Treats seizure disorders, such as epilepsy. Also used before certain medical procedures, such as surgery, to relieve anxiety. Belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines.
Drug classes
Antianxiety, Anticonvulsant, Skeletal Muscle Relaxant (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Lorazepam injection is used before certain medical procedures, such as surgery, to relieve anxiety. When lorazepam is used before surgery, the patient will not remember some of the details about the procedure. This medicine is also used to treat certain convulsive (seizure) disorders, such as epilepsy.
Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines belong to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which are medicines that slow down the nervous system.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins or given as a shot into one of your muscles.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are using clozapine (Clozaril®), haloperidol (Haldol®), loxapine (Loxitane®), probenecid (Benemid®), phenobarbital, scopolamine, or valproate (Depakene®).
Tell your doctor if you are using birth control pills, an MAO inhibitor (such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®), or a phenothiazine medicine (such as prochlorperazine, Compazine®, Mellaril®, Phenergan®, Thorazine®, Trilafon®).
Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
When Not To Use
You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to lorazepam, if you are pregnant, or if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, severe lung disease, or sleep apnea (temporary stopping of breathing during sleep).
Warnings
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are breasfeeding, or if you have kidney disease or mild to moderate lung disease.
If you develop any unusual or strange thoughts and behavior while taking lorazepam injection, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Some changes that have occurred in people taking this medicine are like those seen in people who drink too much alcohol. Other changes might be confusion, agitation, and hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there).
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Blue lips, fingernails, or skin.
Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
Increase in how much or how often you urinate.
Lightheadedness or fainting.
Loss of consciousness.
Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed.
Painful or difficult urination.
Problems with vision, speech, or walking.
Severe muscle weakness or trouble standing.
Shortness of breath.
Slurred speech, confusion, or severe drowsiness.
Trouble concentrating or memory loss.
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Dry mouth, headache, tiredness, nausea and vomiting.
Irritability or agitation.
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Ativan
There may be other brand names for this medicine.