Lorazepam is used to treat anxiety disorders. It is also used for short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety or anxiety caused by depression. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine that works in the brain to relieve symptoms of anxiety. Benzodiazepines are central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which are medicines that slow down the nervous system.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

Measure the oral liquid using the marked medicine dropper that comes with the package. Dilute each dose with water, juice, soda, applesauce and puddings.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Drowsiness

relaxed and calm

sleepiness

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach pain

aggressive, angry

agitation

attack, assault, or force

black, tarry stools

bleeding gums

blood in the urine or stools

bluish lips or skin

blurred vision

change in consciousness

chills

coma

confusion

confusion about identity, place, and time

convulsions

cough or hoarseness

dark urine

decreased urine output

difficulty with breathing or swallowing

difficulty with speaking

discouragement

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

drooling

dry mouth

excitation

false or unusual sense of well-being

fast or irregular heartbeat

feeling sad or empty

fever with or without chills

general feeling of tiredness or weakness

headache

hives, itching, or rash

hyperventilation

increased thirst

irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing

irritability

loss of appetite

loss of balance control

loss of consciousness

loss of interest or pleasure

loss of memory

lower back or side pain

muscle pain or cramps

muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness

nausea or vomiting

not breathing

painful or difficult urination

pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin

pinpoint red spots on the skin

problems with memory

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

reddening of the skin, especially around ears

restlessness

seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

seizures

shaking

shuffling walk

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

stiffness of the limbs

sweating

swelling of the eyes or inside of the nose

swelling of the face, ankles, or hands

swollen glands

thoughts or attempts at killing oneself

tightness in the chest

trouble concentrating

trouble sleeping

twisting movements of body

uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back

unexplained bleeding or bruising

unpleasant breath odor

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting of blood

yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Changes in patterns and rhythms of speech

increased sweating

loss of strength or energy

nightmares

shakiness and unsteady walk

slurred speech

trouble speaking

unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability

unusual paleness

unusual weak feeling

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

Being forgetful

clumsiness

constipation

decreased interest in sexual intercourse

disturbed color perception

dizziness or lightheadedness

double vision

drowsiness

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

hair loss or thinning of the hair

halos around lights

inability to have or keep an erection

increased in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

increased interest in sexual intercourse

lack or loss of self-control

lethargy

loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

muscle aches, twitching, or weakness

night blindness

overbright appearance of lights

rapid weight gain

sensation of spinning

shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet

shivering

stupor

trembling or shaking of the hands or feet

tunnel vision

weak or feeble pulse

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits to see if this medicine is working and allow for changes in the dose. Blood tests may be needed to check for any unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.

This medicine may cause drowsiness, trouble with thinking, trouble with controlling movements, or trouble with seeing clearly. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert or able to think or see well.

Do not stop taking it without checking with your doctor first. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. This may help prevent a worsening of your condition and reduce the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, such as convulsions, hallucinations, headache, stomach or muscle cramps, tremors, trouble sleeping, or unusual behavior.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants. CNS depressants are medicines that slow down the nervous system, which may cause drowsiness or make you less alert. Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, allergies, or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, barbiturates or medicine for seizures, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics (numbing medicines), including some dental anesthetics. This effect may last for a few days after you stop taking this medicine. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.