Benzodiazepines can cause or worsen depression.

The likelihood of dependence is relatively high with lorazepam compared to other benzodiazepines. Its relatively potent amnesic effect, with its anxiolytic and sedative effects, makes lorazepam useful as premedication. Synergistic adverse effects may also occur when lorazepam is administered with other drugs such as opioids or other hypnotics. The combination also causes synergistic enhancement of the disinhibitory and amnesic effects of both drugs, with potentially embarrassing or criminal consequences. Staff must use chaperones to guard against allegations of abuse during treatment. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 12 years old. A similar lorazepam dose given intravenously will result in an earlier and higher peak serum level, with a higher relative proportion of unmetabolised (active) lorazepam. 4%). Like oxazepam, it does not require hepatic oxidation, but only hepatic glucuronidation into lorazepam-glucuronide. The solvents used are polyethylene glycol 400 and propylene glycol.