Lorazepam injection

What is this medicine?

LORAZEPAM (lor A ze pam) is a benzodiazepine. It is used to treat anxiety and certain types of seizures. It is also used to cause sleep before surgery and to block the memory of the procedure.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for injection into a muscle or into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• confusion

• loss of balance or coordination

• signs and symptoms of low blood pressure like dizziness; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; unusually weak or tired

• suicidal thoughts or other mood changes

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• dizziness

• headache

• nausea, vomiting

• pain, redness, or irritation at the site where injected

• tiredness

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• narcotic medicines for cough

• sodium oxybate

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• alcohol

• antihistamines for allergy, cough and cold

• certain medicines for anxiety or sleep

• certain medicines for depression, like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline

• certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone

• general anesthetics like lidocaine, pramoxine, tetracaine

• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

• medicines that relax muscles for surgery

• narcotic medicines for pain

• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This medication will be given to you in a hospital or health clinic setting. You will not be given this medicine to take home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• glaucoma

• history of drug or alcohol abuse problem

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• lung or breathing disease, like asthma

• mental illness

• myasthenia gravis

• Parkinson's disease

• suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member

• an unusual or allergic reaction to lorazepam, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

If you are taking another medicine that also causes drowsiness, you may have more side effects. Give your health care provider a list of all medicines you use. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. Do not take more medicine than directed. Call emergency for help if you have problems breathing or unusual sleepiness.