Lorazepam

Lorazepam(中文:[[ ]]) is a short-acting benzodiazepine with anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, sedative, muscle relaxant properties. It is used:

• In the short-term treatment of severe anxiety disorders;
• As a hypnotic in the short-term treatment of insomnia;
• As an anticonvulsant (particularly in the management of status epilepticus and febrile convulsions)
• As a sedative for those who are being mechanically ventilated
• Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

Pronunciation

Lorazepam 0.5mg

Lorazepam 1mg

Drug Names

Generic Name 藥名	HA Code 藥物代碼	Classification藥物分類
Lorazepam Tablet 0.5 mg	LORA01	P1S1S3 & Part 1 Dangerous Drug
Lorazepam Tablet 1 mg	LORA02	P1S1S3 & Part 1 Dangerous Drug
Lorazepam Tablet 2 mg	LORA03	P1S1S3 & Part 1 Dangerous Drug

Mechanism of Action

• Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine.
• Gama-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, acting on the GABA receptors in the central nervous system (CNS), thus inhibiting the nerve impulses.
• It acts on the benzodiazepine receptors in the brain and the spinal cord. Benzodiazepine receptors in the CNS are linked with GABA receptors as a complex.
• Lorazepam by binding to the benzodiazepine receptors results in activation of the GABA-benzodiazepine receptor complex, resulting in inhibition of nerve impulses, overall depression of brain and spinal cord.
• The anticonvulsant properties of lorazepam come from binding to sodium channels.

Dosage

Anxiety	By mouth ADULT: 1 – 4 mg daily in divided doses ELDERLY: 0.5 – 2 mg daily in divided doses
Insomnia associated with anxiety	By mouth ADULT: 1 – 2 mg daily, to be taken at bedtime
Acute panic attacks	By mouth ADULT: 25 – 30 micrograms/kg every 6 hours if required; Usual dose: 1.5 – 2.5 mg every 6 hours if required
Conscious sedation for procedures	By mouth ADULT: 2 – 3 mg to be taken the night before operation 2 – 4 mg to be taken 1 – 2 hours before operation
Premedication	By mouth 2 – 3 mg to be taken the night before operation 2 – 4 mg to be taken 1 – 2 hours before operation
Status epilepticus Febrile convulsions Convulsions due to poisoning	By slow intravenous injection CHILD 1 month – 11 years: 100 micrograms/kg (max. per dose 4 mg) for 1 dose, then 100 micrograms/kg after 10 minutes (max. per dose 4 mg) if required for 1 dose, to be administered into a large vein CHILD 12 – 17 years: 4 mg for 1 dose, then 4 mg after 10 minutes if required for 1 dose, to be administered into a large vein ADULT: 4 mg for 1 dose, then 4 mg after 10 minutes if seizures continue or recur
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting	By mouth ADULTS: ADULT: 1 to 2 mg may be added to antiemetic therapy with domperidone or metoclopramide for the prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting.