Lorazepam is a prescription medication primarily used for the short-term relief of anxiety symptoms, anxiety-related insomnia, and as a premedication to relieve anxiety or induce sedation before anesthesia or medical procedures[1][2][5][6][7].
Further essential uses include:
- Treating severe agitation and panic disorders[1][2][3]
- Management of certain types of seizures, notably status epilepticus (an emergency seizure state)[1][2][3][4]
- Managing insomnia resulting from anxiety or situational stress[3][5][6][7]
- Controlling agitation or delirium associated with alcohol withdrawal[1][2][3][5][6]
- Treating nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy (usually as an adjunct treatment)[1][2][5][6]
- Treating psychogenic catatonia (a psychiatric condition involving lack of movement/verbal response)[1][2]
These uses are supported by regulatory approval as well as by off-label clinical practice in select settings[1][2][5].
References
- [1] Lorazepam: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action – DrugBank
- [2] Lorazepam – StatPearls
- [3] Lorazepam – Wikipedia
- [4] Lorazepam (Ativan, Loreev XR) – Uses, Side Effects – WebMD
- [5] Lorazepam: MedlinePlus Drug Information
- [6] Lorazepam Uses, Dosage & Side Effects – Drugs.com
- [7] About lorazepam – NHS