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Drug Information
Pharmacokinetics
| Indication
& Dosage | Action
| Interactions
Precautions
|
Brands available in Market
Lorazepam is moderately rapidly absorbed from the proximal small intestine. It is extensively distributed in the body. It is transformed to clinically active metabolites. It has a moderately long half-life[10-20 hours] and may persist in the body . It is metabolized in the liver. Clearance is reduced in liver damage.
Oral
ANXIETY STATES, PSYCHOSOMATIC DISORDERS: 1-4mg daily in divided doses.
INSOMINIA DUE TO ANXIETY: 1-2mg at bedtime
PREMEDICATION FOR SURGERY: 2-3mg at night before surgery and 2-4mg 1 or 2
hrs before surgery. 2-4mg 1 or 2 hrs before surgery.
NOTE: Elderly or debilitated patients: Start at 1-2mg/day in divided doses
and adjust as required. Children under 12 yrs: Not recommended.
IM/IV
ACUTE PANIC ATTACKS: 20-30mcg/kg IM OR slow IV after suitable
dilution. Repeated q ghrs if reqd.
PREMEDICATION: Slow IV 50mcg/kg after dilution 30-45 mins before
operation.
STATUS EPILEPTICUS: IV inj 4mg. Children: IV 2mg.
A benzodiazepine anxiolytic. It has no appreciable effect on respiratory or cardiovascular systems. Some degree of sedation which is dose-related. Actions are the results of facilitative effect on GABA activity/.
Precaution has to be taken in severe hepatic&renal dysfunction, acute narrow angle glaucoma, pulmonary insufficiency and children below 6 years of age.
Adverse
Effect & Precautions
Anorexia,
nausea, sedation, hypersensitivy reaction. It has a capacity to
induce dependence and with drawal of drug can be difficult.
Sedation, weakness, impaired alertness, amnesia, tolerance.
Precaution has to be taken in severe hepatic&renal
dysfunction, acute narrow angle glaucoma, pulmonary insufficiency
and children below 6 years of age.
Pregnancy: Contraindicated.
Breast Feeding: Contraindicated.
Man: May be given in reduced dose.
