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Lorazepam should be used with caution in patients with compromised respiratory function (e.g. In patients with depression, a possibility for suicide should be borne in mind benzodiazepines should not be used in such patients without adequate anti-depressant therapy.
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Lorazepam may have abuse potential, especially in patients with a history of drug and/or alcohol abuse. There is evidence that tolerance develops to the sedative effects of benzodiazepines. Convulsions/seizures may be more common in patients with pre-existing seizure disorders or who are taking other drugs that lower the convulsive threshold such as antidepressants. Symptoms reported following discontinuation of benzodiazepines include headache, anxiety, tension, depression, insomnia, restlessness, confusion, irritability, sweating, rebound phenomena, dysphoria, dizziness, derealization, depersonalization, hyperacusis, numbness/tingling of extremities, hypersensitivity to light, noise, and physical contact/perceptual changes, involuntary movements, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, hallucinations/delirium, convulsions/seizures, tremor, abdominal cramps, myalgia, agitation, palpitations, tachycardia, panic attacks, vertigo, hyperreflexia, short-term memory loss, and hyperthermia. Abrupt discontinuation of product should be avoided and a gradual dosage-tapering schedule followed after extended therapy.Ībrupt termination of treatment may be accompanied by withdrawal symptoms. rebound insomnia) can appear following cessation of recommended doses after as little as one week of therapy. Continuous long-term use of the product is not recommended. Extension of the treatment period should not take place without reevaluation of the need for continued therapy. In general, benzodiazepines should be prescribed for short periods only (e.g. Addiction-prone individuals (such as drug addicts or alcoholics) should be under careful surveillance when receiving lorazepam or other psychotropic agents. The dependence potential is reduced when lorazepam is used at the appropriate dose for short-term treatment. The risk of dependence increases with higher doses and longer term use and is further increased in patients with a history of alcoholism or drug abuse or in patients with significant personality disorders. The use of benzodiazepines, including lorazepam, may lead to physical and psychological dependence. Use of benzodiazepines, including lorazepam, may lead to physical and psychological dependence.Īs with all patients on CNS-depressant drugs, patients receiving lorazepam should be warned not to operate dangerous machinery or motor vehicles and that their tolerance for alcohol and other CNS depressants will be diminished. (See PRECAUTIONS, Clinically Significant Drug Interactions) Use of benzodiazepines, including lorazepam, both used alone and in combination with other CNS depressants may lead to potentially fatal respiratory depression. Lorazepam is not recommended for use in patients with a primary depressive disorder or psychosis. Pre-existing depression may emerge or worsen during use of benzodiazepines including lorazepam.