This medication can increase the effects of alcohol.

Lorazepam, as with other benzodiazepine drugs, can cause physical dependence, addiction, and what is known as the benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. Benzodiazepines should not be administered to already-ataxic patients. Benzodiazepines should not be administered to already-ataxic patients. High dose or prolonged parentally administered lorazepam is sometimes associated with propylene glycol intoxication. Lorazepam appears to have more profound adverse effects on memory than other benzodiazepines; lorazepam impairs both explicit memory and implicit memory. Lorazepam should be avoided in patients with the following conditions:* Allergy or hypersensitivity – Past hypersensitivity or allergy to lorazepam, to any benzodiazepine, or to any of the ingredients in lorazepam tablets or injections * Severe respiratory failure – Benzodiazepines, including lorazepam, may depress central nervous system respiratory drive and are contraindicated in severe respiratory failure. Ativan is used to treat anxiety disorders. In medicinal form, lorazepam is mainly available as tablets and a solution for injection, but, in some locations, it is also available as a skin patch, an oral solution, and a sublingual tablet. This metabolism does not involve hepatic oxidation and, therefore, is relatively unaffected by reduced liver function. However, in critically ill patients, propofol has been found to be superior to lorazepam both in effectiveness and overall cost; as a result, the use of propofol for this indication is now encouraged, whereas the use of lorazepam for this indication is discouraged.