Drug Detail:Lorazepam (Lorazepam (oral) [ lor-a-ze-pam ])
Generic Name: Lorazepam Injection Solution [ lor-A-ze-pam ]
Drug Class: Benzodiazepine anticonvulsants Benzodiazepines Miscellaneous antiemetics
Warning
- This medicine is a benzodiazepine. The use of a benzodiazepine drug along with opioid drugs has led to very bad side effects. Side effects that have happened include slowed or trouble breathing and death. Opioid drugs include drugs like codeine, oxycodone, and morphine. Opioid drugs are used to treat pain and some are used to treat cough. Talk with the doctor.
- If you are taking lorazepam injection solution with an opioid drug, get medical help right away if you feel very sleepy or dizzy; if you have slow, shallow, or trouble breathing; or if you pass out. Caregivers or others need to get medical help right away if the patient does not respond, does not answer or react like normal, or will not wake up.
Uses of Lorazepam Injection Solution:
- It is used to treat anxiety.
- It is used to treat seizures.
- It is used to ease anxiety before surgery.
- It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Lorazepam Injection Solution?
- If you are allergic to lorazepam injection solution; any part of lorazepam injection solution; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have any of these health problems: Glaucoma, low mood (depression), or certain mental problems.
- If you have sleep apnea.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with lorazepam injection solution.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take lorazepam injection solution with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Lorazepam Injection Solution?
For all uses of lorazepam injection solution:
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take lorazepam injection solution. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for alertness for 1 to 2 full days after getting lorazepam injection solution and until the effects of lorazepam injection solution have worn off.
- Do not try to get out of bed without help for at least 8 hours after you use lorazepam injection solution. You may fall and hurt yourself.
- Avoid drinking alcohol for 1 to 2 full days after getting lorazepam injection solution.
- Some products have benzyl alcohol. Do not give a product that has benzyl alcohol in it to a newborn or infant. Talk with the doctor to see if this product has benzyl alcohol in it.
- Talk with your doctor before you use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
- Have your blood work checked if you are on lorazepam injection solution for a long time. Talk with your doctor.
- This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
- Do not take lorazepam injection solution for longer than you were told by your doctor.
- If you have been taking lorazepam injection solution on a regular basis and you stop it all of a sudden, you may have signs of withdrawal. Do not stop taking lorazepam injection solution all of a sudden without calling your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have any bad effects.
- If you are 65 or older, use lorazepam injection solution with care. You could have more side effects.
- Use with care in children. Talk with the doctor.
- This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking lorazepam injection solution, call your doctor right away.
- Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. This medicine passes into breast milk and may harm your baby.
For a procedure:
- Studies in young animals and children have shown that frequent or long-term use of anesthesia drugs or drugs used for sleep in children younger than 3 years of age may lead to long-term brain problems. This may also happen in unborn babies if the mother uses lorazepam injection solution during the third trimester of pregnancy. Talk with the doctor.
How is this medicine (Lorazepam Injection Solution) best taken?
Use lorazepam injection solution as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- It is given as a shot into a muscle or vein.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Call your doctor to find out what to do.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like 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; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- New or worse behavior or mood changes like depression or thoughts of suicide.
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
- Change in balance.
- Feeling confused.
- Memory problems or loss.
- Very bad dizziness or passing out.
- Change in eyesight.
- Muscle weakness.
- Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
- This medicine may cause very bad and sometimes deadly breathing problems. Call your doctor right away if you have slow, shallow, or trouble breathing.
What are some other side effects of Lorazepam Injection Solution?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
- Headache.
- Irritation where the shot is given.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out Lorazepam Injection Solution?
- If you need to store lorazepam injection solution at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
- This medicine comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time lorazepam injection solution is refilled. If you have any questions about lorazepam injection solution, please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
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