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Lorazepam belongs to the group of medicines
called central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that slow
down the nervous system).
Trapax (Lorazepam) is an Antianxiety agent, Anticonvulsant,
Antipanic agent, Antitremor agent, Sedative-hypnotic and also a Skeletal
muscle relaxant adjunct, therefor a very versatile medication from the
group of Benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepines ((ben-zoe-dye-AZ-e-peens)) belong to the group of
medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines
that slow down the nervous system).
Other known brand names are Ativan or Novo-Lorazem
Lorazepam is an Antianxiety agent (
benzodiazepines, mild tranquilizer ) used for the relief of anxiety,
agitation, irritability, to relieve insomnia, to calm people with mania
/ schizophrenia, and intravenously as a sedative and nervous tension or
prior to surgery to relief the anxiety.
Many of the benzodiazepines are used in the treatment of other
conditions, also. Diazepam is used to help relax muscles or relieve
muscle spasm. Diazepam injection is used before some medical procedures
to relieve anxiety and to reduce memory of the procedure.
Chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, diazepam, and oxazepam are used to treat
the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Alprazolam and clonazepam are used
in the treatment of panic disorder. Clobazam, clonazepam, clorazepate,
diazepam, and Lorazepam are used in the
treatment of certain convulsive (seizure) disorders, such as epilepsy.
The benzodiazepines may also be used for other conditions as determined
by your doctor.
Lorazepam may be habit-forming (causing
mental or physical dependence), especially when taken for a long time or
in high doses.
Special precautions
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must
be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your
doctor will make. For Lorazepam , the
following should be considered:
Allergies� tell your doctor if you have ever
had any unusual or allergic reaction to Lorazepam .
Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other
substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes. Certain Lorazepam
products may contain lactose, parabens, or soybean oil.
Pregnancy� Chlordiazepoxide and diazepam have
been reported to increase the chance of birth defects when used during
the first 3 months of pregnancy. Although similar problems have not been
reported with the other Lorazepam , the chance
always exists since all of the benzodiazepines are related.
Studies in animals have shown that clonazepam, Lorazepam ,
and temazepam cause birth defects or other problems, including death of
the animal fetus.
Too much use of Lorazepam during pregnancy
may cause the baby to become dependent on the medicine. This may lead to
withdrawal side effects after birth. Also, use of Lorazepam during
pregnancy, especially during the last weeks, may cause body temperature
problems, breathing problems, difficulty in feeding, drowsiness, or
muscle weakness in the newborn infant.
Lorazepam given just before or during labor
may cause weakness in the newborn infant. When diazepam is given in high
doses (especially by injection) within 15 hours before delivery, it may
cause breathing problems, muscle weakness, difficulty in feeding, and
body temperature problems in the newborn infant.
Breast-feeding� Lorazepam may pass
into the breast milk and cause drowsiness, difficulty in feeding, and
weight loss in nursing babies of mothers taking these medicines.
Children� Most of the side effects of these
medicines are more likely to occur in children, especially the very
young. These patients are usually more sensitive than adults to the
effects of Lorazepam .
Older adults� Most of the side effects of
these medicines are more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually
more sensitive to the effects of Lorazepam .
Taking Lorazepam for trouble in sleeping
may cause more daytime drowsiness in elderly patients than in younger
adults. In addition, falls and related injuries are more likely to occur
in elderly patients taking Lorazepam .
Other medicines� although certain medicines
should not be used together at all, in other cases two different
medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In
these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other
precautions may be necessary. When you are taking or receiving Lorazepam
it is especially important that your health care
professional know if you are taking any of the following:
Other medical problems� the presence of other
medical problems may affect the use of benzodiazepines. Make sure you
tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
• Alcohol abuse (or history of) or
• Drug abuse or dependence (or history of)�Dependence
on Lorazepam may be more likely to develop
• Brain disease�CNS depression and other side effects
of Lorazepam may be more likely to occur
• Difficulty in swallowing (in children) or
• Emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, or other chronic lung
disease or
• Hyperactivity or
• Mental depression or
• Mental illness (severe) or
• Myasthenia gravis or
• Porphyria or
• Sleep apnea (temporary stopping of breathing during
sleep)� Lorazepam may make these
conditions worse
• Epilepsy or history of seizures�Although some Lorazepam
are used in treating epilepsy, starting or suddenly
stopping treatment with these medicines may increase seizures
• Glaucoma, acute narrow angle� Lorazepam should
NOT be used if you have this condition.
• Glaucoma, open angle� Lorazepam can
be used but your doctor should be monitoring your condition carefully.
• Kidney or liver disease�Higher blood levels of Lorazepam
may result, increasing the chance that side effects will
occur
Side effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted
effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do
occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following
side effects occur:
• Less common
- Anxiety; confusion (may be more common in the elderly);
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat ; lack of memory of
events taking place after benzodiazepine is taken (may be more
common with triazolam); mental depression
• Rare
- Abnormal thinking, including disorientation, delusions (holding
false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts), or loss of sense
of reality ; agitation; behavior changes, including
aggressive behavior, bizarre behavior, decreased inhibition, or
outbursts of anger; convulsions (seizures);
hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not
there); hypotension (low blood pressure); muscle
weakness; skin rash or itching ; sore throat, fever,
and chills; trouble in sleeping; ulcers or sores in
mouth or throat (continuing); uncontrolled movements of
body, including the eyes; unusual bleeding or bruising ;
unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability ; unusual
tiredness or weakness (severe); yellow eyes or skin
• Symptoms of overdose
- Confusion (continuing); convulsions (seizures);
drowsiness (severe) or coma; shakiness; slow
heartbeat; slow reflexes; slurred speech (continuing)
; staggering; troubled breathing ; weakness
(severe)
For patients having chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, or Lorazepam
injected :
• Check with your doctor if there is redness, swelling, or
pain at the place of injection.
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical
attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body
adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the
following side effects continue or are bothersome:
• More common
- Clumsiness or unsteadiness; dizziness or lightheadedness;
drowsiness; slurred speech
• Less common or rare
- Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain; blurred vision or
other changes in vision; changes in sexual desire or
ability; constipation; diarrhea; dryness of
mouth or increased thirst; false sense of well-being;
headache; increased bronchial secretions or watering of
mouth; muscle spasm; nausea or vomiting;
problems with urination; trembling or shaking; unusual
tiredness or weakness
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.
If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor. Keep all
appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medication.
Trapax (Lorazepam) is an Antianxiety agent, Anticonvulsant,
Antipanic agent, Antitremor agent, Sedative-hypnotic and also a Skeletal
muscle relaxant adjunct, therefor a very versatile medication from the
group of Benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepines ((ben-zoe-dye-AZ-e-peens)) belong to the group of
medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines
that slow down the nervous system).
Other known brand names are Ativan or Novo-Lorazem
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