Before using lorazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other benzodiazepines (such as alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: glaucoma, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, personal or family history of a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol), mental/mood disorders (such as depression, psychosis), breathing problems (such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, sleep apnea).

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or blur your vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. For at least 8 hours after receiving this drug, you should not get out of bed without help. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until the effects of the medication wear off (at least 24 hours). Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially loss of coordination and drowsiness. Loss of coordination and drowsiness may increase the risk of falling. Also, lorazepam may have the opposite of its usual calming effect in older adults (see also Side Effects section).

This drug may have the opposite of its usual calming effect in children, causing restlessness, shaking, or mental/mood changes (such as agitation, hallucinations).

Infants and children younger than 3 years using anesthesia or drugs for sedation (including lorazepam) for procedures/surgeries may be at risk for slower brain growth. Talk to the doctor about the risks and benefits of this medication.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using lorazepam. Lorazepam may harm an unborn baby. Newborn babies of mothers who receive this medication late in pregnancy may have symptoms such as slow/shallow breathing, nonstop crying, shaking, or trouble feeding. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.

This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.