Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to lorazepam or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have glaucoma.

• Injection: If you have sleep apnea.

• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

• If you are breast-feeding.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat alcohol withdrawal.

• This medicine is used to treat anxiety.

• This medicine is used to treat panic attacks.

• This medicine is used to treat sleep disorders.

• This medicine is used to treat seizures.

• This medicine is used to treat nausea and vomiting.

• This medicine is used to calm you before a medical procedure.

How does it work?

• Lorazepam calms the brain.

How is it best taken?

• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• A liquid (solution) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Mix with water, juice, or soft food before drinking or eating.

• Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Mix with water. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.

Injection:

• This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or vein.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Many times this medicine is taken on an as needed basis.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.

• If you have been taking this medicine on a regular basis for more than 10 days, talk with healthcare provider before stopping. You may want to gradually withdraw this medicine.

• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, antihistamines, and other pain medicine.

• If you have lung disease, you may be more sensitive to this medicine.

• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Feeling tired or weak.

• Change in balance.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Dry mouth may cause an increase in cavities. Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Significant change in balance.

• Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• If seizures are worse or different after starting medicine.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store tablets at room temperature.

• Protect from light.

• Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

• Store liquid (solution) in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.

• The injection will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.