Lorazepam USP, an antianxiety agent, has the chemical formula, 7-chloro-5-( o -chlorophenyl)1,3- dihydro-3-hydroxy-2 H -1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one: C 15 H 10 Cl 2 N 2 O 2 M.W. 321.16 It is a nearly white powder almost insoluble in water. Each Lorazepam tablet USP, to be taken orally, contains 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg of lorazepam USP. The inactive ingredients present are lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose. structure

What kind of drug is lorazepam?

The FDA classifies lorazepam as a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines boost the brain's main calming chemical, GABA, by binding to the GABA-A receptor and making its chloride channel open more often. This quiets nerve activity, producing sedation, reduced anxiety, muscle relaxation, and protection against seizures. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take lorazepam with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run lorazepam against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is lorazepam sold under?

We track 3 lorazepam-containing products in the U.S.: Lorazepam, Ativan and Loreev XR. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does lorazepam come in?

Across the brands we track, lorazepam is currently marketed as injectable, solution, liquid, tablet and capsule, extended release, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic lorazepam?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic lorazepam product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Has lorazepam been recalled?

The FDA's Enforcement database lists at least 5 recall records whose product description mentions lorazepam. The most recent: Lorazepam Injection (Jul 22, 2025). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

Lorazepam: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine sold in the U.S. under 3 brand and generic names, for anxiety disorders, catatonia and depressive disorder. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Benzodiazepine
Treats: Anxiety Disorders, Catatonia and Depressive Disorder
Available as: Injectable · Solution · Liquid · Tablet · Capsule, extended release
Sold as: 3 products — Lorazepam, Ativan and Loreev XR
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Half-life: about 12 hours (mean)
Typical price: about $1 for a 30-count supply
Boxed warning: Boxed warning

How lorazepam is dosed

From the FDA label for Lorazepam (application ANDA077396). Other lorazepam products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Lorazepam tablets are 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 two times a day or three times a day. 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 tablets 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. Discontinuation or Dosage Reduction of Lorazepam Tablets To reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions, use a gradual taper to discontinue lorazepam tablets or reduce the dosage. If a patient develops withdrawal reactions, consider pausing the taper or increasing the dosage to the previous tapered dosage level. Subsequently decrease the dosage more slowly (see WARNINGS: Dependence and Withdrawal Reactions and DRUG…

Lorazepam side effects

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, anaphylactoid reactions; dermatological symptoms, allergic skin reactions, alopecia; syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), hyponatremia; thrombocytopenia,…

Every lorazepam product we track (3)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Lorazepam products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Lorazepam Boxed warning	70/100	Prescription	Injectable	Generic	$1	View →
2	Ativan

What lorazepam pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Lorazepam pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
EP;905;1	1 mg	white	round	—
TV;0;5;5R	0.5 mg	white	round	—
TV;1;1;R	1 mg	white	round	—
TV;0;5;5R	0.5 mg	white	round	—
U33	1 mg	white	round	—

Lorazepam recalls

From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.

How long lorazepam stays in your system

The elimination half-life of lorazepam is about 12 hours (mean). This is the half-life of lorazepam itself. Its main breakdown product (lorazepam glucuronide) lasts longer (about 18 hours) but is inactive, so it does not extend the drug's effect. The half-life can be longer in older adults and in people with liver or kidney problems.

LORAZEPAM tablet - DailyMed ↗

Half-life is how long the body takes to clear half a dose. It is not the same as how long a drug test can detect it, and it varies with age, kidney and liver function.

Frequently asked questions

What is lorazepam?: Lorazepam USP, an antianxiety agent, has the chemical formula, 7-chloro-5-( o -chlorophenyl)1,3- dihydro-3-hydroxy-2 H -1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one: C 15 H 10 Cl 2 N 2 O 2 M.W. 321.16 It is a nearly white powder almost insoluble in water. Each Lorazepam tablet USP, to be taken orally, contains 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg of lorazepam USP. The inactive ingredients present are lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose. structure
What kind of drug is lorazepam?: The FDA classifies lorazepam as a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines boost the brain's main calming chemical, GABA, by binding to the GABA-A receptor and making its chloride channel open more often. This quiets nerve activity, producing sedation, reduced anxiety, muscle relaxation, and protection against seizures. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
How long does lorazepam stay in your system?: The elimination half-life of lorazepam is about 12 hours (mean) — that is how long the body takes to clear half of a dose. This is the half-life of lorazepam itself. Its main breakdown product (lorazepam glucuronide) lasts longer (about 18 hours) but is inactive, so it does not extend the drug's effect. The half-life can be longer in older adults and in people with liver or kidney problems. Half-life is not the same as how long a drug test can detect the drug, and it varies with age, kidney and liver function.
Can you take lorazepam with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run lorazepam against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is lorazepam sold under?: We track 3 lorazepam-containing products in the U.S.: Lorazepam, Ativan and Loreev XR. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.