What is lorazepam injection?
Lorazepam is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). Lorazepam affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.
Lorazepam injection is used to treat a seizure emergency called status epilepticus. This medication is also used as a sedative to help you relax before having surgery.
Lorazepam injection may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about lorazepam injection?
If possible, before you receive lorazepam injection, tell your doctor if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, kidney or liver disease, sleep apnea, asthma, COPD, or other breathing problems.
Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to lorazepam or to other benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), or oxazepam (Serax).
Lorazepam can cause birth defects in an unborn baby, and generally should not be used during pregnancy. However, status epilepticus is a life-threatening emergency and the benefit of receiving lorazepam to treat it may outweigh any risk to the unborn baby.
Do not drink alcohol shortly after receiving lorazepam injection.
Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy. They can add to sleepiness caused by lorazepam injection.
In an emergency situation it may not be possible before you are treated to tell your caregivers about your health conditions or if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows that you have received this medication.
After treatment with lorazepam injection, you will be watched to make sure the medication does not cause harmful side effects.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using lorazepam injection?
If possible before you receive lorazepam injection, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
narrow-angle glaucoma;
sleep apnea or severe breathing problem;
asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathing disorders;
kidney disease;
liver disease; or
if you are allergic to lorazepam or to other benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), or oxazepam (Serax).
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive lorazepam injection, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category D. Lorazepam can cause birth defects in an unborn baby, and generally should not be used during pregnancy. However, status epilepticus is a life-threatening condition and the benefit of receiving lorazepam to treat it may outweigh any risk to the unborn baby.
In an emergency situation, it may not be possible before you are treated with lorazepam to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have received this medication.
It is not known whether lorazepam injection passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.