Lorazepam is a short-term therapy used to relieve anxiety or sleeping problems (also known as insomnia) due to anxiety.
This medicine may also be used to help you relax and ease anxiety before surgery.
Take Lorazepam exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Lorazepam is available as a conventional tablet, extended-release capsule, or oral solution.
If you are taking the conventional tablet, swallow it whole with a glass of water.
If you are taking the extended-release capsule, swallow it whole with a glass of water, or it may be opened and the entire contents sprinkled onto applesauce. The applesauce mixture should be swallowed immediately. Do not store the mixture for later use.
If you are taking the oral solution, use the measuring syringe or dropper provided to measure your dose.
Do not take this medicine for a longer period than instructed by your doctor. Inform your doctor if this medicine does not seem to help you.
If you are taking Lorazepam over a certain period of time, do not stop taking this medicine suddenly as it may worsen your condition. Your doctor will gradually reduce the dose before stopping it completely. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness disorder)
- acute narrow-angle glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
- sleep apnoea (sleep disorder that causes interrupted breathing during sleep)
- breathing problems
- mental illness
- severe liver disease
as Lorazepam may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with Lorazepam, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD (long-term lung disease that causes airflow obstruction making it hard to breathe)
- history of drug abuse or alcoholism
- kidney disease
- mild to moderate liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Lorazepam to a child, the elderly or debilitated individual (physically or mentally weak usually due to illness or old age). Children, elderly people and debilitated individuals may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Pregnancy tests must be done before treatment to know if this medicine is suited for you to take.
- Routine tests (e.g. liver function, complete blood count) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Practice good sleeping habits to reduce reliance on sleeping pills. These are some good sleeping habits which you should follow:
- Try to relax before bedtime. Do not engage in strenuous activities.
- Try to go to bed at about the same time every night.
- Have a light dinner. A heavy dinner may disturb your sleep.
- Avoid caffeine in the evening. Caffeine-containing food and drinks include coffee, tea, certain soft drinks and even chocolate.
- Avoid drinking alcohol before bedtime.
- Keep your bedroom quiet, dark and airy.
- Avoid taking naps, especially in the late afternoon.
Lorazepam may cause drowsiness, dizziness, loss of muscle control, or blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
Other side effects include any of the following: tiredness, difficulty in controlling or coordinating movements, difficulty remembering, and lack of energy.
Some side effects may need immediate help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- slow or shallow breathing
- unusual changes in mood or behaviour (being too depressed, agitated, or having compulsive and impulsive behaviour)
- signs and symptoms of paradoxical reactions such as restlessness, agitation, irritability, aggressiveness, rages, nightmares, delusion
- withdrawal symptoms such as repeated insomnia, anxiety, panic, palpitations, sweating, paranoia, fits or seizures, delirium
- desire or physical need to take Lorazepam to function normally
- frequent sore throat, mouth sores, fever, chills or sweating, unusual bleeding or bruising
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- probenecid (medicine for gout [high uric acid level in the blood])
- zidovudine (medicine for HIV infection)
- certain antibiotics e.g. erythromycin
- asthma medicines e.g. aminophylline, theophylline
- medicines that reduce stomach acid production e.g. cimetidine, omeprazole
- strong painkillers e.g. methadone, oxycodone
- medicines for cold or allergy
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. amlodipine, enalapril, losartan
- medicines to treat TB (lung infection known as tuberculosis) e.g. isoniazid, rifampicin
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenobarbital, valproic acid
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole
- medicines to treat depression
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. clozapine
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Lorazepam.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol intake may worsen the dizziness and drowsiness caused by Lorazepam.
Avoid excessive consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (more than 1 litre a day).
Try to limit your intake of caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee, tea, and certain soft drinks. Caffeine may increase some of the side effects of Lorazepam.
Store the tablets and capsules in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Store the oral solution in the refrigerator, between 2-8°C. Do not allow Lorazepam to freeze. If frozen, this medicine will become ineffective and should not be used.
Protect from light.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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