Lorazepam oral tablets dosage: A detailed guide

Lorazepam oral tablets are a generic version of the brand-name drug Ativan. This article describes lorazepam’s dosages, strengths, and details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for lorazepam.

If you want to know more about lorazepam, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Boxed warnings

This drug has boxed warnings about risk if taken with opioids, risk of misuse and addiction, and risk of dependence and withdrawal. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). See the end of this article for more information.

Form and strengths of lorazepam

Lorazepam oral tablets come as follows:

• Form: a tablet that you swallow
• Strengths:
  • 0.5 milligrams (mg)
  • 1 mg
  • 2 mg

Dosage of lorazepam

This article describes the usual recommended dosages* for lorazepam oral tablets.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you. Do not change your dosage of lorazepam oral tablets without your doctor’s recommendation.

* The drugmaker provides these recommended dosages. If your doctor prescribes lorazepam, be sure to take the dosage they prescribe for you.

Usual recommended dosages of lorazepam in adults

Usually, doctors will start by prescribing a low dosage of lorazepam oral tablets. Then, they’ll adjust the dosage over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of lorazepam oral tablets that gives the desired effect.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly prescribed. That said, always take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs.

Dosage for sleep problems related to anxiety

For adults, the recommended dosages for sleep problems related to anxiety are as follows:

• Starting dosage: 2 milligrams (mg) once per day at bedtime
• Maintenance dosage: 2 mg to 4 mg once per day at bedtime
• Maximum dosage: 4 mg once per day at bedtime

Dosage for anxiety

For adults, the recommended dosages for anxiety are as follows:

• Starting dosage: 1 mg two to three times per day
• Maintenance dosage range: 1 mg two times per day up to 2 mg three times per day
• Maximum dosage: 10 mg per day, which is the maximum dose in 24 hours

Dosages of lorazepam in children

For children ages 12 years and older, doctors usually start by prescribing a low dosage of lorazepam oral tablets. Then, they’ll adjust the dosage over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your child’s doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of lorazepam oral tablets that gives the desired effect.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly prescribed. That said, always give your child the dosage that their doctor has prescribed. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your child’s needs.

Dosage for sleep problems related to anxiety

For children ages 12 years and older, the recommended dosages for sleep problems related to anxiety are as follows:

• Starting dosage: 2 mg once per day at bedtime
• Maintenance dosage: 2 mg to 4 mg once per day at bedtime
• Maximum dosage: 4 mg once per day at bedtime

Dosage for anxiety

For children ages 12 years and older, the recommended dosages for anxiety are as follows:

• Starting dosage: 1 mg two to three times per day
• Maintenance dosage range: 1 mg two times per day up to 2 mg three times per day
• Maximum dosage: 10 mg per day, which is the maximum dose in 24 hours

Dosage adjustments for lorazepam

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of lorazepam oral tablets based on several factors, including:

• the specific condition being treated and its severity
• your age
• other health conditions you may have
• other medications you take
• how your body responds to lorazepam

Missed dose of lorazepam

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about any missed doses of lorazepam oral tablets. They can recommend whether you should take the missed dose or skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of lorazepam oral tablets and avoid missed doses, read this article. You could also try downloading a reminder app on your phone or setting an alarm.

How lorazepam is taken

Lorazepam oral tablets are swallowed. You’ll take them one to three times per day according to your prescription. (To learn more, see the “Dosage of lorazepam” section above.)

If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Lorazepam coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for lorazepam when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about lorazepam oral tablets and their dosage.

Do doctors recommend lorazepam oral tablet dosages by weight?

No, doctors don’t recommend lorazepam oral tablet dosages by weight. They usually start lorazepam treatment with a low dosage and increase it as necessary.

The goal is to find the lowest effective dosage to help reduce the risk of side effects. For some people, this may mean starting treatment with a different dosage than is usually recommended.

Talk with your doctor about the factors that may affect your lorazepam oral tablet dosage. You can also view the “Dosage of lorazepam” section above.

What’s considered a ‘normal dose’ of lorazepam oral tablets?

For sleep problems related to anxiety, the usual dosage of lorazepam oral tablets is 2 milligrams (mg) once per day at bedtime. For anxiety disorders, the usual dosage range is 1 mg two times per day up to 2 mg three times per day. For more information, see the “Dosage of lorazepam” section above.

If you have more questions about lorazepam oral tablet dosing, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Are lorazepam injections used for agitation? If so, what’s the lorazepam IM injection dosage for agitation?

Yes, lorazepam injection may be used for agitation, anxiety related to surgery, and other procedures. It can be given as an intramuscular (IM) injection (into a muscle) or intravenous (IV) injection (into a vein).

Lorazepam IM and IV injection dosages are based on body weight. So your doctor will determine your dosage by your weight.

For more information about the uses of lorazepam injections, talk with your doctor.

Do lorazepam oral tablets treat seizures? If so, what’s the lorazepam oral tablet dosage for seizures?

No, lorazepam oral tablets aren’t approved to treat seizures. So there’s no recommended lorazepam oral tablet dosage for seizures.

Lorazepam injections are approved to treat a severe kind of seizure called status epilepticus. Your doctor will calculate the dose that is needed. You’ll likely only receive a lorazepam injection given by a doctor or another healthcare professional.

For more information about lorazepam for seizures, talk with your doctor.

Is lorazepam taken long term?

No, doctors don’t usually prescribe lorazepam oral tablets as a long-term treatment. Instead, they’re usually recommended as a short-term treatment.

Taking lorazepam long term increases the likelihood of dependence on the medication. With dependence, your body needs the drug to feel and function like you usually do.

If you become dependent on lorazepam, stopping the drug may cause withdrawal symptoms. These are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on. In fact, lorazepam has a boxed warning for a risk of dependence and withdrawal. To learn more, see the top of this article.

If you and your doctor determine that lorazepam is safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it short term.

Overdose of lorazepam

It’s important that you do not take more lorazepam oral tablets than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to serious side effects. (To learn more about possible side effects of lorazepam oral tablets, read this article.)

Symptoms of lorazepam overdose

Lorazepam overdose symptoms can include:

• breathing problems
• coma
• confusion
• drowsiness
• lethargy (low physical or mental energy)

What to do in case you take too much lorazepam

If you think you’ve taken too much lorazepam, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at the American Association of Poison Control Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for lorazepam oral tablets. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll advise the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of lorazepam oral tablets without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take lorazepam oral tablets exactly as your doctor prescribes.

Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How soon will we know whether my dosage of lorazepam oral tablets is working?
• What is the highest dose of lorazepam oral tablets you would recommend for me?
• Is there a liquid form of lorazepam I can take instead of the tablets? What is the lorazepam liquid dosage?
• How long do you recommend that I take lorazepam oral tablets?

Boxed warnings

This drug has the following boxed warnings. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Risks if taken with opioids. Taking lorazepam with opioids can cause dangerous side effects. To learn more about side effects of lorazepam with opioids, read this article.

Risk of misuse and addiction. Taking lorazepam can lead to misuse and addiction. Misuse means taking the drug in ways other than how a doctor prescribed it. Addiction is continuing to take a drug even though it may be causing harm.

Risk of dependence and withdrawal. Use of lorazepam can lead to physical dependence. With dependence, your body needs the drug to feel and function like you usually do. Stopping the drug may cause withdrawal symptoms. These are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on.

For more information about these boxed warnings, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.