LORAZEPAM tablet

DESCRIPTION

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displayName: DESCRIPTION SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34089-3

Lorazepam, an antianxiety agent, has the chemical formula, 7-chloro-5-(o-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one: It is a nearly white powder almost insoluble in water. Each lorazepam tablet, to
be taken orally, contains 0.5 mg, 1 mg or 2 mg of lorazepam. The inactive
ingredients present are lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose
and polacrilin potassium.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

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displayName: CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34090-1

Studies in healthy volunteers show that in single high doses
lorazepam has a tranquilizing action on the central nervous system with no
appreciable effect on the respiratory or cardiovascular systems. Lorazepam is readily absorbed with an absolute bioavailability of 90 percent.
Peak concentrations in plasma occur approximately 2 hours following
administration. The peak plasma level of lorazepam from a 2 mg dose is
approximately 20 ng/mL. The mean half-life of unconjugated lorazepam in human plasma is about 12
hours and for its major metabolite, lorazepam glucuronide, about 18 hours. At
clinically relevant concentrations, lorazepam is approximately 85% bound to
plasma proteins. Lorazepam is rapidly conjugated at its 3-hydroxy group into
lorazepam glucuronide which is then excreted in the urine. Lorazepam glucuronide
has no demonstrable CNS activity in animals. The plasma levels of lorazepam are proportional to the dose given. There is
no evidence of accumulation of lorazepam on administration up to six months. Studies comparing young and elderly subjects have shown that advancing age
does not have a significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of lorazepam.
However, in one study involving single intravenous doses of 1.5 to 3 mg of
lorazepam injection, mean total body clearance of lorazepam decreased by 20% in
15 elderly subjects of 60 to 84 years of age compared to that in 15 younger
subjects of 19 to 38 years of age.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

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displayName: INDICATIONS & USAGE SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34067-9

Lorazepam is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or
for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety or anxiety associated with
depressive symptoms. Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday
life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic. The effectiveness of lorazepam in long-term use, that is, more than 4 months,
has not been assessed by systematic clinical studies. The physician should
periodically reassess the usefulness of the drug for the individual patient.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

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displayName: CONTRAINDICATIONS SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34070-3

Lorazepam is contraindicated in patients with
– hypersensitivity to
benzodiazepines or to any components of the formulation.
– acute narrow-angle
glaucoma.

WARNINGS

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displayName: WARNINGS SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34071-1

Pre-existing depression may emerge or worsen during use of
benzodiazepines including lorazepam. Lorazepam is not recommended for use in
patients with a primary depressive disorder or psychosis. Use of benzodiazepines, including lorazepam, both used alone and in
combination with other CNS depressants, may lead to potentially fatal
respiratory depression. (See PRECAUTIONS, Clinically
Significant Drug Interactions ) Use of benzodiazepines, including lorazepam, may lead to physical and
psychological dependence. As 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.

PRECAUTIONS

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displayName: PRECAUTIONS SECTION
FDA Article Code: 42232-9

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. Lorazepam should be used with caution in patients with compromised
respiratory function (e.g. COPD, sleep apnea syndrome). Elderly or debilitated patients may be more susceptible to the sedative
effects of lorazepam. Therefore, these patients should be monitored frequently
and have their dosage adjusted carefully according to patient response; the
initial dosage should not exceed 2 mg. Paradoxical reactions have been occasionally reported during benzodiazepine
use. Such reactions may be more likely to occur in children and the elderly.
Should these occur, use of the drug should be discontinued. The usual precautions for treating patients with impaired renal and hepatic
function should be observed. As with all benzodiazepines, the use of lorazepam
may worsen hepatic encephalopathy; therefore, lorazepam should be used with
caution in patients with severe hepatic insufficiency and/or encephalopathy.
Dosage for patients with severe hepatic insufficiency should be adjusted
carefully according to patient response; lower doses may be sufficient in such
patients. In patients where gastrointestinal or cardiovascular disorders coexist with
anxiety, it should be noted that lorazepam has not been shown to be of
significant benefit in treating the gastrointestinal or cardiovascular
component. Esophageal dilation occurred in rats treated with lorazepam for more than one
year at 6 mg/kg/day. The no-effect dose was 1.25 mg/kg/day (approximately 6
times the maximum human therapeutic dose of 10 mg per day). The effect was
reversible only when the treatment was withdrawn within two months of first
observation of the phenomenon. The clinical significance of this is unknown.
However, use of lorazepam for prolonged periods and in geriatric patients
requires caution, and there should be frequent monitoring for symptoms of upper
G.I. disease. Safety and effectiveness of lorazepam in children of less than 12 years have
not been established.

Information for Patients

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displayName: INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34076-0

To assure the safe and effective use of lorazepam, patients should be informed
that, since benzodiazepines may produce psychological and physical dependence,
it is advisable that they consult with their physician before either increasing
the dose or abruptly discontinuing this drug.

Essential Laboratory Tests

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displayName: LABORATORY TESTS SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34075-2

Some patients on lorazepam have developed leukopenia, and some have had
elevations of LDH. As with other benzodiazepines, periodic blood counts and
liver-function tests are recommended for patients on long-term therapy.

Clinically Significant Drug Interactions

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displayName: DRUG INTERACTIONS SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34073-7

The benzodiazepines, including lorazepam, produce increased
CNS-depressant effects when administered with other CNS depressants such as
alcohol, barbiturates, antipsychotics, sedative/hypnotics, anxiolytics,
antidepressants, narcotic analgesics, sedative antihistamines, anticonvulsants,
and anesthetics. Concomitant use of clozapine and lorazepam may produce marked sedation,
excessive salivation, hypotension, ataxia, delirium, and respiratory arrest. Concurrent administration of lorazepam with valproate results in increased
plasma concentrations and reduced clearance of lorazepam. Lorazepam dosage
should be reduced to approximately 50% when coadministered with valproate. Concurrent administration of lorazepam with probenecid may result in a more
rapid onset or prolonged effect of lorazepam due to increased half-life and
decreased total clearance. Lorazepam dosage needs to be reduced by approximately
50% when coadministered with probenecid. The effects of probenecid and valproate on lorazepam may be due to inhibition
of glucuronidation. Administration of theophylline or aminophylline may reduce the sedative
effects of benzodiazepines, including lorazepam.

Carcinogenesis And Mutagenesis

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displayName: CARCINOGENESIS & MUTAGENESIS & IMPAIRMENT OF FERTILITY SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34083-6

No evidence of carcinogenic potential emerged in rats during an 18-month study
with lorazepam. No studies regarding mutagenesis have been performed.

Pregnancy

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displayName: PREGNANCY SECTION
FDA Article Code: 42228-7

Reproductive studies in animals were performed in mice, rats, and
two strains of rabbits. Occasional anomalies (reduction of tarsals, tibia,
metatarsals, malrotated limbs, gastroschisis, malformed skull, and
microphthalmia) were seen in drug-treated rabbits without relationship to
dosage. Although all of these anomalies were not present in the concurrent
control group, they have been reported to occur randomly in historical controls.
At doses of 40 mg/kg and higher, there was evidence of fetal resorption and
increased fetal loss in rabbits which was not seen at lower doses. The clinical significance of the above findings is not known. However, an
increased risk of congenital malformations associated with the use of minor
tranquilizers (chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, and meprobamate) during the first
trimester of pregnancy has been suggested in several studies. Because the use of
these drugs is rarely a matter of urgency, the use of lorazepam during this
period should be avoided. The possibility that a woman of childbearing potential
may be pregnant at the time of institution of therapy should be considered.
Patients should be advised that if they become pregnant, they should communicate
with their physician about the desirability of discontinuing the drug. In humans, blood levels obtained from umbilical cord blood indicate placental
transfer of lorazepam and lorazepam glucuronide. Infants of mothers who ingested
benzodiazepines for several weeks or more preceding delivery have been reported
to have withdrawal symptoms during the postnatal period. Symptoms such as
hypoactivity, hypotonia, hypothermia, respiratory depression, apnea, feeding
problems, and impaired metabolic response to cold stress have been reported in
neonates born of mothers who have received benzodiazepines during the late phase
of pregnancy or at delivery.

Nursing Mothers

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displayName: NURSING MOTHERS SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34080-2

Lorazepam has been detected in human breast milk; therefore, it
should not be administered to breast-feeding women, unless the expected benefit
to the woman outweighs the potential risk to the infant. Sedation and inability to suckle have occurred in neonates of lactating
mothers taking benzodiazepines. Infants of lactating mothers should be observed
for pharmacological effects (including sedation and irritability).

Geriatric Use

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displayName: GERIATRIC USE SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34082-8

Clinical studies of lorazepam generally were not adequate to
determine whether subjects aged 65 and over respond differently than younger
subjects; however, the incidence of sedation and unsteadiness was observed to
increase with age (see ADVERSE
REACTIONS ). Age does not appear to have a significant effect on lorazepam kinetics (see
CLINICAL
PHARMACOLOGY ). Clinical circumstances, some of which may be more common in the elderly, such
as hepatic or renal impairment, should be considered. Greater sensitivity (e.g.,
sedation) of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. In general, dose
selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, and lower doses may be
sufficient in these patients (see DOSAGE AND
ADMINISTRATION ).

ADVERSE REACTIONS

id: 0f8ec94f-eb04-4cec-b8af-745036abe3c4
displayName: ADVERSE REACTIONS SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34084-4

Most adverse reactions to benzodiazepines, including CNS effects
and respiratory depression, are dose dependent, with more severe effects
occurring with high doses. In a sample of about 3500 patients treated for anxiety, the most frequent
adverse reaction to lorazepam was sedation (15.9%), followed by dizziness
(6.9%), weakness (4.2%), and unsteadiness (3.4%). The incidence of sedation and
unsteadiness increased with age. Other adverse reactions to benzodiazepines, including lorazepam are fatigue,
drowsiness, amnesia, memory impairment, confusion, disorientation, depression,
unmasking of depression, disinhibition, euphoria, suicidal ideation/attempt,
ataxia, asthenia, extrapyramidal symptoms, convulsions/seizures tremor, vertigo,
eye-function/visual disturbance (including diplopia and blurred vision),
dysarthria/slurred speech, change in libido, impotence, decreased orgasm;
headache, coma; respiratory depression, apnea, worsening of sleep apnea,
worsening of obstructive pulmonary disease; gastrointestinal symptoms including
nausea, change in appetite, constipation, jaundice, increase in bilirubin,
increase in liver transaminases, increase in alkaline phosphatase;
hypersensitivity reactions, anaphylactic/oid reactions; dermatological symptoms,
allergic skin reactions, alopecia; S IADH, hyponatremia; thrombocytopenia,
agranulocytosis, pancytopenia; hypothermia; and autonomic manifestations. Paradoxical reactions, including anxiety, excitation, agitation, hostility,
aggression, rage, sleep disturbances/insomnia, sexual arousal, and
hallucinations may occur. Small decreases in blood pressure and hypotension may
occur but are usually not clinically significant, probably being related to the
relief of anxiety produced by lorazepam.

OVERDOSAGE

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displayName: OVERDOSAGE SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34088-5

In postmarketing experience, overdose with lorazepam has occurred predominantly
in combination with alcohol and/or other drugs. Therefore, in the management of
overdosage, it should be borne in mind that multiple agents may have been taken. Symptoms Overdosage of benzodiazepines is usually manifested by varying degrees of
central nervous system depression ranging from drowsiness to coma. In mild
cases, symptoms include drowsiness, mental confusion, paradoxical reactions,
dysarthria and lethargy. In more serious cases, and especially when other drugs
or alcohol were ingested, symptoms may include ataxia, hypotonia, hypotension,
cardiovascular depression, respiratory depression, hypnotic state, coma, and
death. MANAGEMENT General supportive and symptomatic measures are recommended; vital signs must
be monitored and the patient closely observed. When there is a risk of
aspiration, induction of emesis is not recommended. Gastric lavage may be
indicated if performed soon after ingestion or in symptomatic patients.
Administration of activated charcoal may also limit drug absorption.
Hypotension, though unlikely, usually may be controlled with norepinephrine
bitartrate injection. Lorazepam is poorly dialyzable. Lorazepam glucuronide, the
inactive metabolite, may be highly dialyzable. The benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil may be used in hospitalized patients
as an adjunct to, not as a substitute for, proper management of benzodiazepine
overdose. The prescriber should be aware of a risk of seizure
in association with flumazenil treatment, particularly in long-term
benzodiazepine users and in cyclic antidepressant overdose. The complete
flumazenil package insert including CONTRAINDICATIONS
,
WARNINGS
, and PRECAUTIONS should
be consulted prior to use.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

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displayName: DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34068-7

Lorazepam is administered orally. For optimal results, dose,
frequency of administration, and duration of therapy should be individualized
according to patient response. To facilitate this, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg
tablets are available. The usual range is 2 to 6 mg/day given in divided doses, the largest dose
being taken before bedtime, but the daily dosage may vary from 1 to 10
mg/day. For anxiety, most patients require an initial dose of 2 to 3 mg/day given
b.i.d. or t.i.d. For insomnia due to anxiety or transient situational stress, a single daily
dose of 2 to 4 mg may be given, usually at bedtime. For elderly or debilitated patients, an initial dosage of 1 to 2 mg/day in
divided doses is recommended, to be adjusted as needed and tolerated. The dosage of lorazepam should be increased gradually when needed to help
avoid adverse effects. When higher dosage is indicated, the evening dose should
be increased before the daytime doses.

HOW SUPPLIED

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displayName: HOW SUPPLIED SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34069-5

Lorazepam Tablets USP are available in the following dosage
strengths: 0.5 mg: white, scored, round flat faced beveled edge, debossed with 240 over 0.5 on one side and WATSON on the other side, supplied in bottles of 100, 500 and
1000.
1 mg: white, scored, round flat faced beveled edge, debossed with 241 over 1 on one side and WATSON on the other side, supplied in bottles of 100, 500 and
1000.
2 mg: white, scored, round flat faced beveled edge, debossed with 242 over 2 on one side and WATSON on the other side, supplied in bottles of 100, 500 and
1000. Store at 20°-25°C (68°-77°F). [See USP controlled room
temperature.]Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container as defined in
the USP. Manufactured by:
Watson Laboratories, Inc.

Corona, CA 92880 USA Revised: June 2008 0608B
173019

Package Label

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displayName: PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL
FDA Article Code: 51945-4

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