Lorazepam injection
What is lorazepam injection?
LORAZEPAM (Ativan® ) is a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines belong to a group of medicines that slow down the central nervous system. Lorazepam relieves anxiety and induces sleepiness before surgery. Lorazepam also helps to prevent the recall of events related to surgery and is used for some types of serious seizures. Federal law prohibits the transfer of lorazepam to any person other than the patient for whom it was prescribed. Do not share this medicine with anyone else. Generic lorazepam injection is available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- an alcohol or drug abuse problem
- bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis or other mental health condition
- glaucoma
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea or other breathing difficulties
- myasthenia gravis
- Parkinson’s disease
- seizures or a history of seizures
- shortness of breath
- snoring
- suicidal thoughts
- an unusual or allergic reaction to lorazepam, other benzodiazepines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Lorazepam is for injection into a muscle or into a vein. It is given by a health-care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply.
What drug(s) may interact with lorazepam?
- alcohol
- barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions), like phenobarbital
- caffeine
- female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills
- herbal or dietary supplements such as kava kava, melatonin, or valerian
- levodopa
- medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as alprazolam, diazepam or triazolam
- medicines for depression, mental problems or psychiatric disturbances
- phenytoin
- prescription pain medicines
- probenecid
- some medicines for colds, hay fever or other allergies
- theophylline
- valproic acid
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from receiving lorazepam?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
- confusion
- depression
- double vision or abnormal eye movements
- hallucinations (seeing and hearing things that are not really there)
- lightheadedness or fainting spells
- mood changes, excitability or aggressive behavior
- movement difficulty, staggering or jerky movements
- muscle cramps
- restlessness
- tremors
- weakness or tiredness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- constipation or diarrhea
- difficulty sleeping, nightmares
- dizziness, drowsiness, clumsiness, or unsteadiness; a “hangover” effect
- headache
- loss of memory
- pain, redness, burning, or irritation at the injection site
- nausea, vomiting
What should I watch for while taking lorazepam?
You may feel dizzy or drowsy for about 6 to 8 hours after an injection of lorazepam. Elderly patients may feel these effects more strongly and for a longer time. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how lorazepam affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy and fainting spells, do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol may increase dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Lorazepam can cause loss of recall of recent events. This loss of memory is only temporary.
Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, pain or allergies without asking your prescriber or health care professional for advice. Some ingredients can increase possible side effects.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store in a refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees C (36 and 46 degrees F); do not freeze. Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
[ Last Revised: 1/28/2003 4:38:00 PM ]
NOTE: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you have questions about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.
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