Lorazepam.
Posted by JP on 13 February, 2008
Lorazepam (also known by its brand name Ativan or Temesta) is a benzodiazepine drug with short to medium duration of action. It has all five intrinsic benzodiazepine effects: anxiolytic, sedative/hypnotic, amnesic, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant, to different extents.
Pure lorazepam is an almost white powder that is nearly insoluble in water and oil. In medicinal form, lorazepam is mainly available as tablets and a solution for injection. Lorazepam injectable solution is administered either by deep intramuscular injection or by intravenous injection. Intravenous injections should be given slowly and patients closely monitored for side-effects, such as respiratory depression, hypotension or loss of airway control.The safety and effectiveness of lorazepam is not well determined in children under 16 years of age, but it is used to treat serial seizures.
