Adverse effects can include sedation and hypotension; the effects of lorazepam are increased in combination with other CNS depressant drugs.

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. Benzodiazepines, however, do not on their own enhance the GABAA receptors but require the neurotransmitter GABA to be present. Lorazepam tablets of the Ativan brand also contain lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, polacrilin, magnesium stearate, and colouring agents (indigo carmine—E132—in blue tablets and tartrazine—E102— in yellow tablets). A large-scale, nationwide, U. 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. In this category, benzodiazepines are most commonly used. An example would be the inappropriate use to relieve anxiety associated with acute severe asthma. The resulting benzodiazepin-4-oxide undergoes acetylation by acetic anhydride at the secondary nitrogen atom, and is further hydrolyzed by hydrochloric acid into 7-chloro-5-(2′-chlorophenyl)-1,2- dihydro-3H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-on-4-oxide. Some antidepressants, anti-epileptic drugs such as phenobarbital, phenytoin and carbamazepine, sedative antihistamines, opiates, antipsychotics and alcohol when taken with lorazepam may result in enhanced sedative effects. Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild anxiety and insomnia to more severe symptoms such as seizures and psychosis.