lorazepam

Brand names: Lorazepam

# Lorazepam: What You Need to Know Lorazepam is a prescription medicine used to treat anxiety disorders and to help people relax before surgery or medical procedures. It works by slowing down activity in the brain and nervous system, which helps calm racing thoughts and reduces feelings of worry. Doctors may also prescribe it to help people sleep better or to stop seizures. This medication belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines, and it usually starts working within 15 to 30 minutes of taking it. While lorazepam can be helpful, it's important to use it safely. Never mix this medicine with opioid painkillers (like codeine or morphine) without talking to your doctor first, because together they can make it harder to breathe. Don't drive, operate machinery, or do anything requiring alertness until you know how this drug affects you. This medicine can be habit-forming, so take it exactly as your doctor prescribes and don't suddenly stop taking it without medical guidance. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you take, and let them know if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or have liver or kidney problems. If you experience severe drowsiness, confusion, or trouble breathing, seek emergency care right away.

Known Interactions

Drug Interactions The concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids increases the risk of respiratory depression because of actions at different receptor sites in the CNS that control respiration. Benzodiazepines interact at GABA A sites and opioids interact primarily at mu receptors. When benzodiazepines and opioids are combined, the potential for benzodiazepines to significantly worsen opioid-related respiratory depression exists. Limit dosage and duration of concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids, and monitor patients closely for respiratory depression and sedation. The benzodiazepines, including lorazepam, produce increased CNS-depressant effects when administered with other CNS depressants such as alcohol, barbiturates, antipsychotics, sedative/hypnotics, anxiolytics, antidepressants, narcotic analgesics, sedative antihistamines, anticonvulsants, and anesthetics. Concomitant use of clozapine and lorazepam may produce marked sedation, excessive salivation, hypotension, ata

Source: FDA-approved drug labeling via openFDA

Most Reported Side Effects (FAERS)

  • FATIGUE13,460 reports
  • NAUSEA13,333 reports
  • DRUG INEFFECTIVE12,118 reports
  • DIARRHOEA10,356 reports
  • OFF LABEL USE10,151 reports
  • DYSPNOEA9,235 reports
  • ANXIETY8,840 reports
  • HEADACHE8,662 reports
  • PAIN8,644 reports
  • VOMITING8,562 reports

Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Voluntary reports do not establish causation.

Check interactions with lorazepam:

SafeCheck provides drug interaction information from FDA-approved product labeling (openFDA). This is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making medication decisions.