Lorazepam
Benzodiazepine medication / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Lorazepam, sold under the brand name Ativan among others, is a benzodiazepine medication.[7] It is used to treat anxiety (including anxiety disorders), trouble sleeping, severe agitation, active seizures including status epilepticus, alcohol withdrawal, and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.[7] It is also used during surgery to interfere with memory formation and to sedate those who are being mechanically ventilated.[7][11] It is also used, along with other treatments, for acute coronary syndrome due to cocaine use.[7] It can be given orally (by mouth), transdermal (on the skin via a topical gel or patch), intravenously (IV) (injection into a vein), or intramuscularly (injection into a muscle.)[7] When given by injection, onset of effects is between one and thirty minutes and effects last for up to a day.[7]
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Trade names | Ativan, Tavor, Temesta, others[1] |
Other names | o-Chloroxazepam |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a682053 |
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Dependence liability | High[2] |
Addiction liability | Moderate[3][4] |
Routes of administration | orally, intramuscular, intravenous, transdermal |
Drug class | Benzodiazepine |
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Bioavailability | 85% when taken by mouth |
Metabolism | Liver glucuronidation |
Onset of action | 1–5 min (IV), 15–30 min (IM)[7] |
Elimination half-life | 10–20 hours[8][9][10] |
Duration of action | 12–24 hours (IV, IM)[7] |
Excretion | Kidney |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.011.534 |
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Formula | C15H10Cl2N2O2 |
Molar mass | 321.16 g·mol−1 |
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Common side effects include weakness, sleepiness, low blood pressure, and a decreased effort to breathe.[7] When given intravenously, the person should be closely monitored.[7] Among those who are depressed, there may be an increased risk of suicide.[7][12] With long-term use, larger doses may be required for the same effect.[7] Physical dependence and psychological dependence may also occur.[7] If stopped suddenly after long-term use, benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome may occur.[7] Older people more often develop adverse effects.[13] In this age group, lorazepam is associated with falls and hip fractures.[14] Due to these concerns, lorazepam use is generally only recommended for up to two to four weeks.[15]
Lorazepam was initially patented in 1963 and went on sale in the United States in 1977.[16][17] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[18] It is available as a generic medication.[7] In 2021, it was the 78th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 8 million prescriptions.[19][20]