Detailed Drug Information:

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Lorazepam is an antianxiety medicationin the benzodiazepine family, the same family that includes diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), flurazepam (Dalmane),and others. Lorazepam and other benzodiazepines act by enhancing theeffects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is aneurotransmitter, a chemical that nerves in the brain use to send messagesto one another. GABA inhibits activity in many of the nerves of the brain,and it is thought that this excessive activity is what causes anxiety orother psychological disorders. Because lorazepam is removed from the bloodmore rapidly than many other benzodiazepines, there is less chance thatlorazepam concentrations in blood will reach high levels and become toxic.Lorazepam has fewer interactions with other medications than most of theother benzodiazepines.

PREPARATIONS: Tablets (white): 0.5mg and 1mg, 2mg

STORAGE: Tablets should be kept at room temperature.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Lorazepam is used for the management of anxietydisorders, the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety or anxietyassociated with depression. The effectiveness of lorazepam, or otherbenzodiazepines , have not been adequately studied for treatment beyond 4months. Lorazepam also has been shown to be effective for improving sleep in people with insomnia, for panic attacks, and as an adjunct (i.e., whenadded to other medications) to prevent nausea and vomiting in patientsreceiving cancer chemotherapy.

DOSING: The dose of lorazepam is tailored to the patient'sneeds. Scheduled doses, given twice or three times daily, are sometimesused for persons with continuous anxiety or at bedtime for insomnia.Alternatively, lorazepam may be prescribed on as "as needed"basis, the physician instructing the patient to take lorazepam when he/shefeels anxious.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Lorazepam and all benzodiazepines, interactwith other medications and drugs that slow the brain's processes such asalcohol, barbiturates, and narcotics. There have been cases of markedsedation when lorazepam was given to patients taking the tranquilizerloxapine (Loxitane); it is unclear if there is a drug interaction at all,but concern is warranted.

PREGNANCY: Lorazepam and other benzodiazepines have beenassociated with fetal damage, including congenital malformations, whentaken by pregnant women in their first trimester. Lorazepam is bestavoided if at all possible in the first trimester and probably throughoutpregnancy.

NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known if lorazepam is secreted in breast milk.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most commonly noted side effects associatedwith lorazepam are sedation (which is reported in approximately 1 in 6people), dizziness (1 in 15), weakness, and unsteadiness. Other sideeffects include a feeling of depression, loss of orientation, headache,and sleep disturbance.

Like all benzodiazepines, lorazepam can cause physical dependence.Suddenly stopping therapy after a few months of daily therapy may beassociated with a feeling of loss of self-worth, agitation, and insomnia.If lorazepam is taken continuously longer than a few months, stoppingtherapy suddenly may produce seizures, tremors, muscle cramping, vomiting,and/or sweating.