Lorazepam

Excerpt

Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for short-term relief of anxiety symptoms associated with anxiety disorders, anxiety-related insomnia, anesthesia premedication in adults to relieve anxiety or induce sedation or amnesia, and treatment of status epilepticus. Lorazepam is favored in inpatient settings for its rapid onset of action (1-3 minutes intravenously). Off-label uses for lorazepam include rapid tranquilization of agitated patients, alcohol withdrawal delirium and syndrome, insomnia, panic disorder, delirium, chemotherapy-associated anticipatory nausea and vomiting (adjunct or breakthrough), vertigo, and psychogenic catatonia. Lorazepam is used in various clinical practices and is often compared with other benzodiazepines. Clinicians from several specialties and at different levels of practice utilize it in acute, short-term, and long-term settings.