edit PharmacologyLorazepam has anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, amnesic, anticonvulsant as well as muscle relaxant properties.

On regular administration diazepam will, however, accumulate more, since it has a longer half-life and active metabolites with even longer half-lives. The concern is that, though relatively nontoxic in themselvesverification needed, benzodiazepines may inadvertently become facilitators of suicidal behaviour. Although lorazepam is not necessarily better than diazepam at initially terminating seizures, lorazepam is, nevertheless, replacing diazepam as the intravenous agent of choice in status epilepticus. Also used to treat acute symptoms of vertigo and dizziness for people with Ménière's disease. Before taking Ativan, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:* glaucoma; * asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathing problems; * kidney or liver disease; * a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior; or * a history of drug or alcohol addiction. The combination with alcohol increases these impairments. The injectable solution comes in 1 mL ampoules containing 2 mg or 4 mg lorazepam. If any benzodiazepine has been used long-term, the recommendation is a gradual dose taper over a period of weeks, months or longer, according to dose and duration of use, degree of dependence and the individual. If a patient is known to usually stop convulsing after only one or two diazepam doses, diazepam may be preferable because sedative after-effects will be less than if a single dose of lorazepam is given (diazepam anticonvulsant/sedative effects wear off after 15–30 minutes, but lorazepam effects last 12–24 hours). A clinically relevant lorazepam dose will normally be effective for 6 to 12 hours, making it unsuitable for regular once-daily administration, so it is usually prescribed as two to four daily doses when taken regularly.