Lorazepam belongs to a class of medications known as benzodiazepines.It can be used for short-term treatment of insomnia (difficulty sleeping), anxiety or panic.Lorazepam may be used to control symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal or for other conditions. Check with your healthcare professional if you are unsure why you are given this medication.
Common side effects include:The mentioned side effects generally affect up to 10% of patients.
Most of the side effects listed here will improve with time. Speak to your doctor if they continue, get worse or are affecting your daily life.
Rarely but serious side effects include:
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
If you experience any of these side effects, you should stop your medication and inform your healthcare professional immediately.
Please also take note that not all possible side effects are listed above. If you have any concerns about your medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Inform your healthcare professional if:
This medication may be habit-forming when taken excessively or for a prolonged duration (especially at high doses). This may result in:
This can be prevented by taking the medication:
If you have been taking the medication on a long-term basis or at high doses, do not stop taking it abruptly as it may lead to withdrawal symptoms such as increased sweating, increased heart rate, tremors, trouble sleeping, increased agitation, hallucinations, increased anxiety, nausea or vomiting, and in severe cases, medical emergencies such as fits.If you wish to cut down, discuss with your doctor to come up with a discontinuation plan. It is often best to reduce the dose gradually over a few weeks.If you are prescribed this medication for other conditions, consult your doctor or specialist for further advice about the appropriate dose and duration.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication as it can cause excessive drowsiness.
If you are directed by your doctor to take the medication regularly and forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at your usual timing. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.
Pack this medication into a trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.