What is lorazepam (oral)?
Lorazepam is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens).
Lorazepam affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.
Lorazepam is used to treat anxiety disorders.
Lorazepam may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lorazepam (oral)?
It is dangerous to try and purchase lorazepam on the Internet or from vendors outside of
the United States. Medications distributed from Internet sales may contain dangerous
ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy. Samples of lorazepam purchased
on the Internet have been found to contain haloperidol (Haldol), a potent antipsychotic drug with
dangerous side effects. For more information, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) or visit www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide.
Do not use this medication if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, or if you are allergic
to lorazepam or to other benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide
(Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), or oxazepam (Serax).
Before taking lorazepam, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
-
glaucoma;
-
asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathing problems;
-
kidney or liver disease;
-
a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior; or
-
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take this medication.
FDA pregnancy category D.
Lorazepam can cause birth defects in an
unborn baby.
Do not use lorazepam without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control
while you are using this medication.
It is not known whether lorazepam passes into breast milk or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
The sedative effects of lorazepam may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls
are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or
accidental injury while you are taking lorazepam.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 12 years old.
How should I take lorazepam (oral)?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from
this medication.
Measure the liquid form of lorazepam with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a
regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Lorazepam should be used for only a short time. Do not take this medication for
longer than 4 months without your doctor's advice.
Lorazepam may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the person it
was prescribed for
. Lorazepam should never be shared with another person, especially
someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place
where others cannot get to it.
Contact your doctor if this medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your
symptoms.
Do not stop using lorazepam suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may
need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
Your symptoms may return when you stop using lorazepam after using it over a long
period of time. You may also have seizures or withdrawal symptoms when you stop using
lorazepam. Withdrawal symptoms may include tremor, sweating, muscle cramps, stomach pain,
vomiting, unusual thoughts or behavior, and seizure (convulsions).
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your doctor may need to check
your progress on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Store lorazepam at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Store the liquid form of lorazepam in the refrigerator.
Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine.
Benzodiazepines are drugs of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is
using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose of lorazepam (oral)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do
not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about lorazepam (oral)?
Your pharmacist has information about lorazepam (oral) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of lorazepam (oral)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
confusion, depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
-
hyperactivity, agitation, hostility;
-
hallucinations; or
-
feeling light-headed, fainting.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness;
-
blurred vision;
-
sleep problems (insomnia);
-
muscle weakness, lack of balance or coordination;
-
amnesia or forgetfulness, trouble concentrating;
-
nausea, vomiting, constipation;
-
appetite changes; or
-
skin rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about lorazepam (oral)?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to lorazepam or to other
benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate
(Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), or oxazepam (Serax).
This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use
lorazepam if you are pregnant.
Before taking lorazepam, tell your doctor if you have any breathing problems, glaucoma,
kidney or liver disease, or a history of depression, suicidal thoughts, or addiction to drugs or
alcohol.
Do not drink alcohol while taking lorazepam. This medication can increase the
effects of alcohol.
Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy. They can add to sleepiness caused by
lorazepam.
Lorazepam may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the person it
was prescribed for
. Lorazepam should never be shared with another person, especially
someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place
where others cannot get to it.
It is dangerous to try and purchase lorazepam on the Internet or from vendors outside of
the United States. Medications distributed from Internet sales may contain dangerous
ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy. Samples of lorazepam purchased
on the Internet have been found to contain haloperidol (Haldol), a potent antipsychotic drug with
dangerous side effects. For more information, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) or visit www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide.
What should I avoid while taking lorazepam (oral)?
Do not drink alcohol while taking lorazepam. This medication can increase the
effects of alcohol.
Lorazepam can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and
medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by lorazepam. Tell
your doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines.
What other drugs will affect lorazepam (oral)?
Before taking lorazepam, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol),
mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
-
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate);
-
medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as
chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), mesoridazine (Serentil), pimozide (Orap), or
thioridazine (Mellaril);
-
narcotic medications such as butorphanol (Stadol),
codeine, hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin), levorphanol (Levo-Dromoran), meperidine (Demerol),
methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph), naloxone
(Narcan), oxycodone (OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet); or
-
antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon),
amoxapine (Asendin), citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin),
doxepin (Sinequan), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox),
imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), protriptyline
(Vivactil), sertraline (Zoloft), or trimipramine (Surmontil).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with lorazepam. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you
use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors.
Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of lorazepam (oral)?
