Lorazepam

( Ativan )

Medically Reviewed by HaVy Ngo, Pharm.D.

Last Reviewed: Jun 09, 2022

Drug Details


Generic Name:

Lorazepam

Common Brands:

Ativan, Lorazepam Intensol, Loreev XR

Availability:

Prescription only

Therapeutic Class:

Benzodiazepines; benzodiazepine anticonvulsants; antiemetics

Forms:

Oral tablet: 0.5 mg; 1 mg; 2 mg
Extended-release oral capsule: 1 mg; 2 mg; 3 mg
Oral concentrate solution (dropper): 2 mg/mL (30 mL)
Injection vial: 2 mg/mL; 20 mg/10 mL

Administration:

By mouth
Intravenously (into a vein)
Intramuscularly (into a deep muscle mass)


Therapeutic Uses:

Anxiety disorders
Anxiety associated with depressive symptoms
Relief of insomnia (sleeping problems) due to anxiety or situational stress
Surgery-related anxiety (given shortly before anesthesia)
Status epilepticus (seizures that last more than 5 minutes or more than one seizure in a 5-minute span)

Controlled Status:

Schedule IV controlled substance


What is lorazepam?

Lorazepam is a fast-acting benzodiazepine. Lorazepam enhances the level of GABA, a brain chemical, in the central nervous system. By doing so, lorazepam slows down brain activity, resulting in anxiety disorder treatment and termination of seizures.

Lorazepam is a schedule IV controlled substance.

There may be other uses of lorazepam—your pharmacist or physician can give you further information and assistance. Who can take lorazepam?

  • Adults
  • Children who are 12 years and older

* Children younger than 12 years: only used as off-label to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, neonatal seizures.

*Extended-release lorazepam should not be used for anyone younger than 18 years old.