DESCRIPTION
id: 0ad23edd-da51-4de9-916e-9a5701c75223
displayName: DESCRIPTION SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34089-3
Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine with antianxiety, sedative, and anticonvulsant effects, is intended for the intramuscular or intravenous routes of administration. It has the chemical formula: 7-chloro-5(2-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2 -1, 4-benzodiazepin-2-one. The molecular weight is 321.16, and the C.A.S. No. is [846-49-1]. The structural formula is:
H
Lorazepam is a nearly white powder almost insoluble in water. Each mL of sterile injection contains either 2.0 or 4.0 mg of lorazepam, 0.18 mL polyethylene glycol 400 in propylene glycol with 2.0% benzyl alcohol as preservative.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
id: a6c581f8-02e0-4dc2-8669-86798f62036d
displayName: CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34090-1
Lorazepam interacts with the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-benzodiazepine receptor complex, which is widespread in the brain of humans as well as other species. This interaction is presumed to be responsible for lorazepam’s mechanism of action. Lorazepam exhibits relatively high and specific affinity for its recognition site but does not displace GABA. Attachment to the specific binding site enhances the affinity of GABA for its receptor site on the same receptor complex. The pharmacodynamic consequences of benzodiazepine agonist actions include antianxiety effects, sedation, and reduction of seizure activity. The intensity of action is directly related to the degree of benzodiazepine receptor occupancy.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
id: 376ee3f2-451e-4827-bafc-d9d4c850d85d
displayName: CONTRAINDICATIONS SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34070-3
Lorazepam Injection is contraindicated in patients with a known sensitivity to benzodiazepines or its vehicle (polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and benzyl alcohol), in patients with acute narrow-angle glaucoma, or in patients with sleep apnea syndrome. It is also contraindicated in patients with severe respiratory insufficiency, except in those patients requiring relief of anxiety and/or diminished recall of events while being mechanically ventilated. The use of Lorazepam Injection intra-arterially is contraindicated because, as with other injectable benzodiazepines, inadvertent intra-arterial injection may produce arteriospasm resulting in gangrene which may require amputation (see ).
WARNINGS
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
id: 79e0a61d-cfbb-4729-9eeb-841b48cd5f3c
displayName: DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34068-7
Lorazepam must never be used without individualization of dosage particularly when used with other medications capable of producing central-nervous-system depression.
EQUIPMENT NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN A PATENT AIRWAY SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE PRIOR TO INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF LORAZEPAM (see ).
WARNINGS
HOW SUPPLIED
id: 6fba4103-8d6e-4c1e-8260-5e55b4f4b2ed
displayName: HOW SUPPLIED SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34069-5
NDC:64725-6044-1 in a CARTON of 25 INJECTIONS
