Lorazepam

Lorazepam
Clinical data


Trade names	Ativan, Tavor, Temesta, others
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
MedlinePlus	a682053
Pregnancy category	AU: C US: D (Evidence of risk)
Dependence liability	Moderate–high
Routes of administration	By mouth, intramuscular, intravenous, under the tongue, and transdermal
ATC code	N05BA06 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	AU: S4 (Prescription only) CA: Schedule IV DE: Anlage III (Prescription only) UK: Controlled Drug (Benz) POM US: Schedule IV
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	85% when taken by mouth
Metabolism	Liver glucuronidation
Onset of action	1 to 5 min (IV), 15 to 30 min (IM)
Biological half-life	10–20 hours
Duration of action	12 to 24 hours
Excretion	Kidney
Identifiers
IUPAC name 7-chloro-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-hydroxy-1,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one
Synonyms	O-Chloroxazepam, L-Lorazepam Acetate
CAS Number	846-49-1^Y
PubChem CID	3958
DrugBank	DB00186^N
ChemSpider	3821^Y
UNII	O26FZP769L
KEGG	D00365^Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL580^Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.011.534
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C₁₅H₁₀Cl₂N₂O₂
Molar mass	321.2 g/mol
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
SMILES ClC1=CC=CC=C1C2=NC(C(NC3=C2C=C(C=C3)Cl)=O)O
InChI InChI=1S/C15H10Cl2N2O2/c16-8-5-6-12-10(7-8)13(19-15(21)14(20)18-12)9-3-1-2-4-11(9)17/h1-7,15,21H,(H,18,20)^Y Key:DIWRORZWFLOCLC-UHFFFAOYSA-N^Y
^NY (what is this?)

Lorazepam, sold under the brand name Ativan among others, is a benzodiazepine medication. It is used to treat anxiety disorders, trouble sleeping, active seizures including status epilepticus, for surgery to interfere with memory formation, sedate those who are being mechanically ventilated, alcohol withdrawal, and chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. While it can be used for severe agitation, midazolam is usually preferred. It is also used, along with other treatments, for acute coronary syndrome due to cocaine use. It can be given by mouth or as an injection into a muscle or vein. When given by injection onset of effects is between one and thirty minutes and effects last for up to a day.

Common side effects include weakness, sleepiness, low blood pressure, and a decreased effort to breathe. When given intravenously the person should be closely monitored. Among those who are depressed there may be an increased risk of suicide. With long-term use larger doses may be required for the same effect. Physical dependence and psychological dependence may also occur. If stopped suddenly after long-term use, benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome may occur. Older people more often develop adverse effects. In this age group lorazepam is associated with falls and hip fractures. Due to these concerns, lorazepam use is generally only recommended for up to two to four weeks.