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CNS Depressants / Medication

Lorazepam

Identity, uses and research, side effects, dosage context, pricing and online access.

MedicationCNS DepressantsSchedule IV
Reference nameLorazepam
Entry typeMedication
CategoryCNS Depressants
Drug familyBenzodiazepine
Brand contextAtivan and generic lorazepam
Formulation contextOral tablets or concentrate; Injectable lorazepam

DrugRX editorial reference · Sources consulted · Not independently medically reviewed

Ativan (lorazepam) 0.5 mg tablets.

Ativan (lorazepam) 0.5 mg tablets.

Nsaum75 · CC BY-SA 3.0

About Lorazepam

Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine used in anxiety care; injectable products have additional supervised medical uses.

Also searched as: Ativan

PRODUCT FORMULATIONS

Available strengths

Strength is the amount in a tablet, capsule, liquid or patch. Different formulations are listed separately.

Product & formulationStrengths
Lorazepam
Oral tablet
0.5 mg · 1 mg · 2 mgProduct label · Checked 2026-10-31

Dosages in the product label

Lorazepam tablets — Anxiety

Population: Adults

Usual labeled range: 2–6 mg/day in divided doses. Initial treatment commonly totals 2–3 mg/day in divided doses.

Older or debilitated patients require lower initial doses. The injection has different indications and directions.

Prescribing information · Checked 2026-10-31

PRICE, COST & AVAILABILITY

Buy Lorazepam: pricing & legal access

Lorazepam online: availability & product information

Saved U.S. price estimates from Drugs.com for the exact products and quantities below. These are dated estimates, not live pharmacy quotes or insurance copays. Discounts and local availability vary.

Product / strengthQuantityPrice (USD)
Generic lorazepam
0.5 mg
Oral tablet
10 tablets$4.46
Drugs.com published cash estimate
Drugs.com price guide
Checked 2026-10-31

Prices refer to medication only; consultation, administration and monitoring costs may be additional. Prescription products require a valid prescription and a licensed pharmacy. Check the exact formulation before comparing offers.

DETAILED REFERENCE

Lorazepam information

Uses and formulations

Oral tablets and concentrated solutions differ from injectable preparations used in clinical settings.

Sources: MedlinePlus — Lorazepam

Side effects and serious risks

Drowsiness, dizziness and weakness are possible. Respiratory depression and dependence are serious concerns, especially with other depressants.

Sources: MedlinePlus — Lorazepam

Dosage and directions

Use only the prescribed product and directions. Changes after regular use require a clinician-guided withdrawal plan.

Sources: MedlinePlus — Lorazepam

Interactions and precautions

Alcohol, opioids and sleep medicines can compound sedation. Tell the prescriber about breathing problems and other medical conditions.

Sources: MedlinePlus — Lorazepam

Pharmacology and mechanism

Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine that increases inhibitory GABA effects. Oral anxiety treatment and injectable use during acute medical care are different administration contexts.

Sources: Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care — Lorazepam · MedlinePlus — Lorazepam

Formulations and product identification

The active ingredient alone does not describe a finished product. These distinctions matter when reading a label or comparing prescriptions.

Product or formulationImportant distinction
Oral tablets or concentrateProduct concentration and measuring instructions matter.
Injectable lorazepamUsed with clinical monitoring for specific indications.

Sources: Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care — Lorazepam · MedlinePlus — Lorazepam

Monitoring and treatment follow-up

Treatment review considers anxiety relief, alertness, falls, breathing risk and the other medicines involved. Concentrated liquid requires a suitable measuring device rather than an estimated household volume.

Sources: Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care — Lorazepam · MedlinePlus — Lorazepam

Dependence and stopping treatment

Regular exposure can lead to physical dependence. Stopping suddenly can produce severe withdrawal, including seizures. A withdrawal plan is individualized and is not determined solely by whether the prescribed dose seems small.

Sources: Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care — Lorazepam · MedlinePlus — Lorazepam

How it differs from related medicines

A hospital lorazepam injection is not a model for routine oral dosing. Ativan is a brand name for lorazepam, while other benzodiazepine brands may contain entirely different active ingredients.

Sources: Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care — Lorazepam · MedlinePlus — Lorazepam

Sources and editorial notes

Prepared by DrugRX using the references linked below. Sources were consulted on 2026-10-31. This page has not been independently reviewed by a clinician. Research findings, medication approval and legal permission are separate questions.

  1. MedlinePlus — Lorazepam
  2. DEA — Controlled substances alphabetical list (October 2026)
  3. Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care — Lorazepam
  4. DailyMed — Lorazepam tablets product label
  5. Drugs.com — lorazepam price guide

Legal information is a dated U.S. reference. Product rules and local laws may change. Where the evidence does not establish a dose, interaction profile or price, the page states that limitation.