From the FDA Drug Label
Lorazepam Oral Concentrate is a prescription medicine used: to treat anxiety disorders for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety or anxiety that can happen with symptoms of depression Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine medicine Taking benzodiazepines with opioid medicines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants (including street drugs) can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems (respiratory depression), coma and death
Alternative prescription medicines to diazepam (Benzodiazepine) for treating anxiety include:
- Lorazepam: a benzodiazepine medicine used to treat anxiety disorders for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety or anxiety that can happen with symptoms of depression 1
Key points to consider:
- Benzodiazepines, including lorazepam, can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma, and death when taken with opioid medicines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants
- There is a risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction with benzodiazepines, including lorazepam
- Physical dependence and withdrawal reactions can occur with lorazepam use 1
From the Research
Diazepam alternatives for anxiety treatment include SSRIs, SNRIs, buspirone, hydroxyzine, and beta-blockers, which offer effective relief with lower dependence risks. When considering alternatives to diazepam for treating anxiety, several options are available, including:
- SSRIs like sertraline (50-200 mg daily), escitalopram (10-20 mg daily), and fluoxetine (20-80 mg daily), which are considered first-line treatments due to their efficacy and lower risk of dependence 2.
- SNRIs such as venlafaxine (75-225 mg daily) and duloxetine (30-120 mg daily) can also be effective, particularly for patients with comorbid pain conditions.
- Buspirone (15-60 mg daily in divided doses) offers an alternative with minimal dependence risk and no sedation, though it may take 2-4 weeks to become effective.
- For acute anxiety, hydroxyzine (25-100 mg as needed) can provide relief without addiction potential, as supported by a study reviewing alternative medications for generalized anxiety disorder 3.
- Beta-blockers like propranolol (10-40 mg as needed) can help manage physical symptoms of anxiety, especially in performance situations. These medications generally require consistent daily use for several weeks before reaching full effectiveness, unlike benzodiazepines which work immediately. The choice between alternatives should consider the patient's specific anxiety symptoms, comorbid conditions, and preference for daily maintenance versus as-needed treatment, with the goal of finding effective anxiety relief without the dependence and cognitive impairment risks associated with benzodiazepines 4, 5.