Lorazepam

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Ativan; LORazepam Intensol; Loreev XR

Brand Names: Canada

APO-LORazepam; Ativan; PMS-LORazepam; PRO-LORazepam; TEVA-LORazepam

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to treat anxiety.
• It is used to treat upset stomach and throwing up.
• It is used to treat seizures.
• It is used to calm a child before a procedure.
• It may be given to your child for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

Extended-release capsules:

• If your child has been given this form of this drug, talk with the doctor for information about the benefits and risks. Talk with the doctor if you have questions or concerns about giving this drug to your child.

What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?

• If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
• If your child has any of these health problems: Glaucoma, depression, or certain mental problems.
• If your child has sleep apnea or breathing problems.
• If your child has any of these health problems: Kidney disease or liver disease.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?

All products:

• Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Alcohol may interact with this drug. Be sure your child does not drink alcohol.
• Talk with your child’s doctor before your child uses marijuana, other forms of cannabis, or prescription or OTC drugs that may slow your child’s actions.
• Have blood work checked if your child is on this drug for a long time. Talk with your child’s doctor.
• Do not have your child use longer than you have been told by your child’s doctor.
• If your child has been taking this drug for a long time or at high doses, it may not work as well and your child may need higher doses to get the same effect. This is known as tolerance. Call the doctor if this drug stops working well. Do not give more than ordered.
• If the patient is a child, use this drug with care. The risk of some side effects may be higher in children.

If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:

• This drug may cause harm to the unborn baby if your child takes it during pregnancy. If your child is pregnant or gets pregnant while taking this drug, call the doctor right away.
• Taking this drug late in pregnancy may raise the chance of breathing or feeding problems, low body temperature, or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. Talk with the doctor.
• Tell your child’s doctor if your child is breast-feeding a baby. This drug passes into breast milk and may harm your child’s baby.

All oral products:

• Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness until you see how this drug affects your child. These are things like riding a bike, playing sports, or using items such as scissors, lawnmowers, electric scooters, toy cars, or motorized vehicles.

Injection:

• Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness for 1 to 2 full days after your child gets this drug and until the effects of this drug have worn off. These include things like riding a bike, playing sports, or using items such as scissors, lawnmowers, electric scooters, toy cars, or motorized vehicles.
• Do not let your child get out of bed without help for at least 8 hours after using this drug. Falling and injury may happen.
• Some products have benzyl alcohol. If possible, avoid products with benzyl alcohol in newborns or infants. Serious side effects can happen in these children with some doses of benzyl alcohol, including if given with other drugs that have benzyl alcohol. Talk with the doctor to see if this product has benzyl alcohol in it.

For a procedure:

• Studies in young animals and children have shown that frequent or long-term use of anesthesia drugs or drugs used for sleep in children younger than 3 years of age may lead to long-term brain problems. This may also happen in unborn babies if the mother uses this drug during the third trimester of pregnancy. Talk with the doctor.

What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• New or worse behavior or mood changes like depression or thoughts of suicide.
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
• Change in balance.
• Feeling confused.
• Feeling nervous and excitable.
• Restlessness.
• Trouble sleeping.
• More interest in sex.
• Memory problems or loss.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
• Change in eyesight.
• Muscle weakness.
• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
• This drug may cause very bad and sometimes deadly breathing problems. Call the doctor right away if your child has slow, shallow, or trouble breathing.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:

All products:

• Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
• Headache.

Injection:

• Irritation where the shot is given.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best given?

Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

All oral products:

• Give this drug with or without food. Give with food if it causes an upset stomach.

Liquid (solution):

• Use the dropper that comes with this drug to measure the drug.
• Mix the liquid with water, juice, soda, applesauce, or pudding before giving it to your child.
• Give the mixture right away. Do not store for use at a later time.

Under the tongue (sublingual) tablet:

• Place under your child’s tongue and let dissolve all the way before swallowing. Do not let your child chew, suck, or swallow the tablet.
• Do not let your child swallow for at least 2 minutes after using this drug.

Injection:

• It is given as a shot into a muscle or vein.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

All oral products:

• If your child takes this drug on a regular basis, give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• Many times this drug is given on an as needed basis. Do not give to your child more often than told by the doctor.

Injection:

• Call your child’s doctor to find out what to do.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

Tablets:

• Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep lid tightly closed.

Under the tongue (sublingual) tablet:

• Store at room temperature protected from light. Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.

Liquid (solution):

• Store in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Throw away any part not used after 3 months.
• Protect from light.

Injection:

• If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

All products:

• Store this drug in a safe place where children cannot see or reach it, and where other people cannot get to it. A locked box or area may help keep this drug safe. Keep all drugs away from pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

• If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
• Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2023-02-09

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