What is Lorazepam (Ativan)?

Lorazepam is the generic form of the brand-name drug Ativan, used to treat anxiety disorders and to relieve anxiety that's associated with depression.
Lorazepam is also used to treat insomnia, epilepsy, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal, and nausea and vomiting from cancer treatments.
The drug belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines, and is available as oral tablets, an oral concentrate solution, and an injection.
In injection form, lorazepam injection is used in emergency situations to treat prolonged epileptic seizures.
It's also given before surgery to produce drowsiness, relieve anxiety, and decrease recall of surgery and other medical procedures in people who are anxious about them.
Ativan oral tablets, made by Valeant Pharmaceuticals, were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1977.
Generic forms of lorazepam oral tablets first became available in 1985 and are made by several manufacturers.
The brand name of lorazepam oral concentrate solution is Lorazepam Intensol, which is sold by Roxane.
Various companies make generic lorazepam oral concentrate solution and injection.

Lorazepam Warnings

Do not take lorazepam if you are allergic to the drug, any of the inactive ingredients of the oral formulations, or other benzodiazepines, including Xanax, Librium, Tranxene, Valium, and Serax.
Do not take lorazepam if you have narrow-angle glaucoma.
Lorazepam can make you drowsy and affect your ability to safely drive motor vehicles or operate machinery.
This is particularly likely if the medication is taken with other medications that cause drowsiness, or if you are elderly or debilitated.
Lorazepam may be habit-forming, so do not take higher doses of the medication or use it for a longer time than your doctor recommends. Some people develop a tolerance to lorazepam, which makes the medication less effective.
Use caution getting out of bed and walking within 8 hours of getting a lorazepam injection.
Avoid driving motor vehicles, operating machinery, or engaging in activities requiring attention and coordination for one to two days after getting a lorazepam injection, or until you are no longer drowsy.
Avoid alcohol for at least one to two days after getting a lorazepam injection.
Lorazepam oral tablets and concentrate solution have not been proven to be safe or effective in children younger than 12 years of age.
Tell your doctor if you are taking other drugs that affect the central nervous system. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants, and narcotic medications.
Before taking lorazepam, tell your doctor if you have:
  • Depression
  • Breathing problems
  • A history of alcoholism or drug abuse
  • Personality disorder
  • Liver or kidney problems

Lorazepam 'High' and Abuse

Because it can offer users a relaxing or euphoric "high," lorazepam is one of the most-abused benzodiazepines in the United States.
Lorazepam is intended to be taken only for a short period of time. Do not take this medication for longer than 4 months without your doctor's advice.
Talk to your doctor about using alcohol while on lorazepam. Alcohol can worsen the side effects of lorazepam, such as drowsiness, confusion, and unsteadiness.

Lorazepam Withdrawal

As the narcotic effects of lorazepam wear off, a user may experience symptoms of lorazepam withdrawal, including:
  • Irritability
  • Insomnia or other sleep disorders
  • Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Anger or aggressive behavior
  • Depression
  • Seizures
Your doctor will probably recommend you reduce your use of lorazepam gradually, to avoid these withdrawal symptoms.
People who use lorazepam should not abruptly stop taking the drug, except under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

Lorazepam and Pregnancy

Before taking lorazepam, tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
Medications like lorazepam may cause birth defects, particularly during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Also, taking lorazepam later in pregnancy may cause harmful effects to the newborn baby.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby before taking lorazepam, because taking the medication while breastfeeding can cause side effects in the nursing baby.

Lorazepam Side Effects

Seek emergency medical help at once if you have any of these serious signs of an allergic reaction to the medication:
  • Hives
  • Trouble breathing
  • Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
The most common side effects of lorazepam oral tablets and concentrate solution are:
  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Unsteadiness
The most common side effects of lorazepam injection also include:
  • Low blood pressure
  • Excessive sleepiness
  • Shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and feeling like you can't breathe in enough air
Most lorazepam side effects occur and are more severe when the medication is used in higher doses.
Talk to your doctor if you experience any side effects, particularly if they are severe or do not go away.


Lorazepam Interactions

Before taking lorazepam, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medications:
  • Other benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Librium, Librax, Klonopin,Tranxene, and Valium
  • Birth control pills
  • Barbiturates, such as Amytal, Fioricet, Butisol, Mebaral, Seconal, Nembutal, Luminal, Solfoton, or Seconal
  • Antipsychotics, such as Abilify, Saphris, Thorazine, Clozaril, Prolixin, Haldol, Fanapt, Adasuve, Loxitane, Latuda, Serentil, Moban, Zyprexa, Symbyax, Invega, Trilafon, Orap, Seroquel, Risperdal, Mellaril, Navane, Stelazine, or Geodon
  • Sleep medications, such as Lunesta, Unisom, Rozerem, Sonata, or Ambien
  • Narcotic medications such as Stadol, codeine, Lortab, Vicodin, Levo-Dromoran, Demerol, Dolophine, Methadose, morphine, Narcan, OxyContin, or Darvon
  • Antidepressants such as Elavil, Etrafon, Asendin, Celexa, Anafranil, Norpramin, Sinequan, Lexapro, Prozac, Sarafem and others
  • Antiseizure drugs, such as Depakote or Depakene
  • Sedating allergy medications including Chlor-Trimeton or Benadryl
  • Anesthetics
  • Probenecid
  • Theophylline (Theo-24, Uniphyl)
  • Aminophylline
  • Scopolamine (Transderm Scop)

Lorazepam and Alcohol

Alcohol can worsen the side effects of lorazepam, such as drowsiness, confusion, and unsteadiness, and in serious cases, cause breathing problems, coma, and even death.
Your tolerance for alcohol will be lower while you're on lorazepam.
Additionally, use caution when getting out of bed and walking within 8 hours of getting a lorazepam injection.
Avoid driving motor vehicles, operating machinery, or activities requiring attention and coordination for 24 to 48 hours after a lorazepam injection, or until you are no longer drowsy.

Lorazepam Dosage

The dosage for this drug will depend on the form: oral, liquid, or injection.
Take lorazepam exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Lorazepam oral tablets are available in strengths of 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg.
Your doctor may prescribe lorazepam to be taken 2 to 3 times a day for conditions such as anxiety, or once daily for conditions such as insomnia.
When you first start lorazepam, your doctor may slowly increase your dose to avoid side effects.
The dose of lorazepam may be lower if you are elderly or debilitated.
Take lorazepam with liquid such as a glass of water, with or without food.
Lorazepam concentrate oral solution is available in a bottle with a calibrated dropper with markings for various doses.
Mix the dose of the concentrated oral solution with liquid or semi-solid food such as water, juices, soda or soda-like beverages, applesauce and puddings.
For lorazepam injection, your doctor will give the medication into your vein through an IV, or into a muscle.
You may also receive a repeat dose and other treatments.
After lorazepam is administered, your doctor will monitor you to make sure the medication is working and does not cause side effects.

Lorazepam Overdose

An overdose of lorazepam can be fatal. Symptoms of a lorazepam overdose include:
  • Extreme drowsiness
  • Confusion
  • Muscle weakness
  • Fainting or coma
If you think you took too much lorazepam, or if you think someone else has overdosed on lorazepam, call a poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 or call 911.

Missed Dose of Lorazepam

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
But if you take several doses per day and miss a dose and it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule.
Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed one.

Lorazepam (Ativan) Pictures


Ativan 1mg, white, pentagonal,

Ativan 2 mg, white, pentagonal,

Ativan 0.5 mg, white, pentagonal,

Lorazepam 0.5 mg-TEV, white, round,