Lorazepam 4mg/ml Inj 1ml
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To use this medication correctly, follow your doctor's instructions and read all the information provided. It is essential to follow the dosage instructions carefully. This medication is administered via injection into a muscle or vein.
Storing and Disposing of Your Medication
If you need to store this medication at home, consult with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to determine the proper storage procedure.
Missing a Dose
If you miss a dose, contact your doctor to receive guidance on what to do next.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Avoid alcohol and other medications that cause drowsiness (e.g., opioids, sleeping pills) while receiving lorazepam, as this can lead to dangerous breathing problems or excessive sedation.
- Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you and you are no longer feeling drowsy or dizzy.
- If you are receiving this medication regularly, do not stop it suddenly without consulting your doctor, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
BLACK BOX WARNING
Side Effects
Although rare, this medication can cause severe and potentially life-threatening side effects. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention:
Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ 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
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
New or worsening behavioral or mood changes, including:
+ Depression
+ Thoughts of suicide
Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
Changes in balance
Feeling confused
Feeling nervous and excitable
Restlessness
Trouble sleeping
Increased interest in sex
Memory problems or loss
Severe dizziness or fainting
Changes in eyesight
Muscle weakness
Dark urine or yellow skin and eyes
This medication can also cause severe and potentially life-threatening breathing problems. If you experience slow, shallow, or difficult breathing, contact your doctor immediately.
Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. While many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to discuss any concerns with your doctor. If you experience any of the following side effects or any other symptoms that bother you or do not go away, contact your doctor:
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Fatigue
Weakness
Headache
Irritation at the injection site
This is not an exhaustive list of possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Severe drowsiness or difficulty waking up
- Very slow or shallow breathing
- Bluish lips or skin
- Confusion or unusual thoughts/behavior (paradoxical reactions)
- Slurred speech
- Severe dizziness or feeling like you might pass out
- Signs of an allergic reaction (rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing)
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the symptoms you experienced.
Certain health conditions, including:
+ Glaucoma
+ Depression or specific mental health issues
+ Sleep apnea or breathing difficulties
+ Kidney disease or liver disease
This list is not exhaustive, and it is crucial to discuss all your health problems with your doctor.
Additionally, provide your doctor and pharmacist with a comprehensive list of all the medications you are taking, including:
Prescription medications
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications
Natural products
Vitamins
It is vital to verify that it is safe to take this medication with all your other medications and health conditions. Never start, stop, or adjust the dose of any medication without first consulting your doctor.
Precautions & Cautions
When taking this medication, it is essential to inform all your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are using this drug.
Safety Precautions
Avoid driving and engaging in activities that require alertness for 1 to 2 full days after receiving this medication, or until its effects have worn off.
For at least 8 hours after using this medication, do not attempt to get out of bed without assistance, as you may be at risk of falling and injuring yourself.
Refrain from consuming alcohol for 1 to 2 full days after receiving this medication.
Special Considerations
Some products containing this medication may include benzyl alcohol. If possible, avoid using these products in newborns or infants, as benzyl alcohol can cause serious side effects in these children, particularly when combined with other medications containing benzyl alcohol. Consult your doctor to determine if this product contains benzyl alcohol.
Before using marijuana, cannabis, or prescription or over-the-counter medications that may slow your reactions, discuss the potential risks with your doctor.
Long-Term Use and Monitoring
If you are taking this medication for an extended period, your doctor may recommend regular blood tests to monitor your condition.
Do not take this medication for longer than prescribed by your doctor.
Prolonged use or high doses of this medication can lead to tolerance, reducing its effectiveness. If you experience a decrease in the medication's effectiveness, contact your doctor. Do not take more than the prescribed dose.
Age-Related Considerations
If you are 65 or older, use this medication with caution, as you may be more susceptible to side effects.
When administering this medication to children, use caution, as the risk of certain side effects may be higher in this age group.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
This medication may harm an unborn baby if taken during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or are already pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.
Taking this medication late in pregnancy may increase the risk of breathing or feeding problems, low body temperature, or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. Discuss the potential risks with your doctor.
If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, inform your doctor, as this medication can pass into breast milk and potentially harm your baby.
Procedure-Related Considerations
Research in young animals and children has shown that frequent or long-term use of anesthesia or sleep medications in children under 3 years old may lead to long-term brain problems. This risk may also apply to unborn babies if the mother uses this medication during the third trimester of pregnancy. Discuss the potential risks with your doctor.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Extreme drowsiness or sedation
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Slowed reflexes
- Ataxia (loss of coordination)
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Respiratory depression (slow, shallow, or stopped breathing)
- Coma
What to Do:
Seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222). Management is primarily supportive, focusing on maintaining a patent airway, assisting ventilation, and supporting cardiovascular function. Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, may be used in specific cases but carries risks (e.g., precipitating seizures in dependent patients).
Drug Interactions
Contraindicated Interactions
- Acute narrow-angle glaucoma (relative contraindication for benzodiazepines, though less relevant for single-dose IV)
- Severe respiratory insufficiency (without ventilatory support)
- Sleep apnea syndrome
Major Interactions
- Opioids (e.g., fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone): Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, death.
- Alcohol: Additive CNS depression, respiratory depression.
- Other CNS depressants (e.g., barbiturates, other benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines, antipsychotics): Additive CNS depression.
- Valproate: Increases lorazepam plasma concentrations and effects by inhibiting glucuronidation.
- Probenecid: Increases lorazepam plasma concentrations and effects by inhibiting glucuronidation.
- Clozapine: Increased risk of sedation, respiratory depression, hypotension, and rarely, respiratory arrest.
Moderate Interactions
- Theophylline/Aminophylline: May antagonize the sedative effects of lorazepam.
- Oral Contraceptives: May slightly increase lorazepam clearance (minor clinical significance).
Confidence Interactions
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To establish baseline and monitor for cardiovascular and respiratory depression.
Timing: Prior to administration
Rationale: To assess baseline neurological status and guide dosing.
Timing: Prior to administration
Rationale: If prolonged use or suspected hepatic impairment, as lorazepam is metabolized in the liver.
Timing: Prior to initiation of prolonged therapy
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Continuously during IV administration and for several hours post-administration; frequently with IM.
Target: Normal for age (e.g., 12-20 breaths/min for adults)
Action Threshold: <10 breaths/min or signs of respiratory distress
Frequency: Continuously during IV administration and for several hours post-administration; frequently with IM.
Target: >92-94%
Action Threshold: <90% or significant drop from baseline
Frequency: Every 5-15 minutes during IV administration, then periodically.
Target: Within patient's normal range
Action Threshold: Significant hypotension or bradycardia/tachycardia
Frequency: Every 5-15 minutes during IV administration, then periodically.
Target: Desired level of sedation
Action Threshold: Excessive sedation (e.g., unarousable) or paradoxical agitation
Symptom Monitoring
- Excessive sedation
- Respiratory depression (slow, shallow breathing)
- Hypotension
- Ataxia (loss of coordination)
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Paradoxical reactions (agitation, aggression, hallucinations, excitement)
- Allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing)
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Category D. Avoid during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester due to potential increased risk of congenital malformations (e.g., cleft lip/palate). Use in the third trimester may lead to neonatal withdrawal syndrome (irritability, hypertonia, tremors, feeding difficulties) or 'floppy infant syndrome' (hypotonia, lethargy, hypothermia, respiratory depression) due to placental transfer.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
L3 (Moderately Safe). Lorazepam is excreted into breast milk. Monitor breastfed infants for sedation, poor feeding, and poor weight gain. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible. Consider alternatives if prolonged use is necessary.
Pediatric Use
Use with caution. Neonates and infants are more sensitive to the CNS depressant effects. Dosing for status epilepticus is established for children âĨ2 years. Safety and efficacy for other indications in younger children are not well-established. Monitor closely for respiratory depression and paradoxical reactions.
Geriatric Use
Increased sensitivity to CNS depressant effects (sedation, dizziness, ataxia, falls). Start with lower doses (e.g., 50% of usual adult dose) and titrate slowly. Increased risk of paradoxical reactions, cognitive impairment, and falls. Monitor closely.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- IV lorazepam should be administered slowly (no faster than 2 mg/minute) to minimize the risk of respiratory depression, hypotension, and excessive sedation.
- For IV administration, lorazepam injection should be diluted with an equal volume of a compatible diluent (e.g., Sterile Water for Injection, 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, 5% Dextrose Injection) immediately prior to use.
- IM administration is an option for rapid tranquilization in agitated patients when IV access is difficult, but onset is slower than IV.
- Lorazepam is generally preferred over diazepam for patients with liver impairment due to its metabolism primarily by glucuronidation (Phase II), which is less affected by liver disease than oxidative metabolism (Phase I).
- Not recommended for long-term daily use due to the significant risk of physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation.
- Paradoxical reactions (e.g., agitation, aggression, hallucinations, increased anxiety) can occur, especially in children, the elderly, and patients with psychiatric disorders.
Alternative Therapies
- For Anxiety: Diazepam, alprazolam (other benzodiazepines); buspirone; SSRIs/SNRIs (for chronic anxiety).
- For Insomnia: Zolpidem, zaleplon, eszopiclone (Z-drugs); ramelteon; trazodone (antidepressant).
- For Status Epilepticus: Diazepam (IV/rectal), midazolam (IV/IM/buccal/intranasal), phenobarbital, fosphenytoin/phenytoin, levetiracetam.
- For Pre-anesthesia: Midazolam (IV/IM), diazepam (IV/oral).
Cost & Coverage
General Drug Facts
This medication is accompanied by a Medication Guide, which is a comprehensive patient fact sheet. It is crucial to read this guide carefully and review it again each time your prescription is refilled. If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, do not hesitate to discuss them with your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. In the event of a suspected overdose, immediately contact your local poison control center or seek emergency medical attention. Be prepared to provide detailed information about the overdose, including the medication taken, the quantity, and the time it occurred.