Lorazepam
Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Prescription benzodiazepine (Schedule IV controlled substance) approved for anxiety disorders, insomnia due to anxiety, and as a preanesthetic agent. Also widely used for acute seizure management, alcohol withdrawal, and chemotherapy-induced nausea. Preferred in patients with hepatic impairment because it undergoes glucuronidation (Phase II metabolism) rather than CYP450-dependent oxidation, with no active metabolites. Dosage must be determined by your prescribing physician.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
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This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Prescription benzodiazepine (Schedule IV controlled substance) approved for anxiety disorders, insomnia due to anxiety, and as a preanesthetic agent. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is 0.5–6 mg daily in divided doses (as prescribed by your physician), though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 10 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: anxiety relief, acute seizure management, alcohol withdrawal management. 10 sources indexed (2004–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Binds to the benzodiazepine site on GABA-A receptors, enhancing GABA-mediated chloride ion influx. This increases inhibitory neurotransmission throughout the central nervous system, producing anxiolytic, sedative, amnestic, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant effects.3,8
Dosing & protocol.
Well absorbed orally. Can be taken with or without food. Available in IM/IV formulations for acute settings.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Sedation and drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Cognitive impairment
- Respiratory depression
- Dependence and withdrawal
- Ataxia
- Memory impairment
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
5- 1Lorazepam in Managing Atypical Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Case ReportsPMIDChen A, Bae M · The western journal of emergency medicine · 2025
Chen A, Bae M. Lorazepam in Managing Atypical Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Case Reports. The western journal of emergency medicine. 2025
- 2Treatment of Agitation With Lorazepam in Clinical Practice: A Systematic ReviewPMIDAmore M, D'Andrea M, Fagiolini A · Frontiers in psychiatry · 2021
Amore M, D'Andrea M, Fagiolini A. Treatment of Agitation With Lorazepam in Clinical Practice: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in psychiatry. 2021
- 3Prevalence of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-related drugs exposure before, during and after pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PMIDBais B, Molenaar NM, Bijma HH et al. · Journal of Affective Disorders · 2020
Systematic review found benzodiazepines including lorazepam commonly prescribed during pregnancy (prevalence 1.1-10.9%), highlighting the need for careful risk-benefit assessment given potential neonatal complications.
- 4Lorazepam or diazepam for convulsive status epilepticus: A meta-analysis.PMIDWu W, Zhang L, Xue R · Journal of Clinical Neuroscience · 2016
Meta-analysis found lorazepam had comparable efficacy to diazepam for terminating convulsive status epilepticus, with a trend toward fewer recurrences and less respiratory depression, supporting its role as a first-line agent.
- 5Clonazepam and lorazepam in acute mania: a Bayesian meta-analysisPMIDCurtin F, Schulz P · Journal of affective disorders · 2004
Curtin F, Schulz P. Clonazepam and lorazepam in acute mania: a Bayesian meta-analysis. Journal of affective disorders. 2004
Randomized controlled trials
2- 6Intranasal Dexmedetomidine for the Management of Preoperative Anxiety-Related Insomnia: A Randomized, Three-Blinded, Clinical Trial Compared with Lorazepam and PlaceboPMIDYang WY, Huang K, Lin ZJ et al. · Drug design, development and therapy · 2024
Yang WY, Huang K, Lin ZJ et al.. Intranasal Dexmedetomidine for the Management of Preoperative Anxiety-Related Insomnia: A Randomized, Three-Blinded, Clinical Trial Compared with Lorazepam and Placebo. Drug design, development and therapy. 2024
- 7Effect of Lorazepam With Haloperidol vs Haloperidol Alone on Agitated Delirium in Patients With Advanced Cancer Receiving Palliative Care: A Randomized Clinical TrialPMIDHui D, Frisbee-Hume S, Wilson A et al. · JAMA · 2017
Hui D, Frisbee-Hume S, Wilson A et al.. Effect of Lorazepam With Haloperidol vs Haloperidol Alone on Agitated Delirium in Patients With Advanced Cancer Receiving Palliative Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2017
Reference material
3- 8Offidani E et al. Efficacy and tolerability of benzodiazepines versus antidepressants in anxiety disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychother Psychosom. 2013.Source linkedPMID
- 9Greenblatt DJ et al. Clinical pharmacokinetics of lorazepam. Clin Pharmacokinet. 1981.Source linkedPMID
- 10Ezzi S et al. Effectiveness and safety of midazolam versus lorazepam for pediatric status epilepticus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Seizure. 2025.Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Lorazepam, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Lorazepam?
Prescription benzodiazepine (Schedule IV controlled substance) approved for anxiety disorders, insomnia due to anxiety, and as a preanesthetic agent. Also widely used for acute seizure management, alcohol withdrawal, and chemotherapy-induced nausea. Preferred in patients with hepatic impairment because it undergoes glucuronidation (Phase II metabolism) rather than CYP450-dependent oxidation, with no active metabolites. Dosage must be determined by your prescribing physician.
What is Lorazepam used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Lorazepam include: Anxiety relief; Acute seizure management; Alcohol withdrawal management; Preoperative sedation; Reliable pharmacokinetics in hepatic impairment. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.
What is a typical dose of Lorazepam?
A typical adult dose of Lorazepam is 0.5–6 mg daily in divided doses (as prescribed by your physician). The commonly recommended form is Tablet, oral solution, or injectable. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Lorazepam?
Reported side effects include sedation and drowsiness, dizziness, cognitive impairment, respiratory depression, dependence and withdrawal, ataxia. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Lorazepam?
NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Lorazepam in NutriStack.
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