Lorazepam Brand Name
Lorazepam is marketed under the brand name Ativan. 1
Additional Context
Lorazepam (Ativan) is a 3-hydroxy, 1,4-benzodiazepine that acts by potentiating GABA-mediated neural inhibition at GABA(A) receptors in the central nervous system. 2, 3 Unlike other benzodiazepines such as midazolam and diazepam, lorazepam undergoes direct glucuronide conjugation without requiring metabolism by cytochrome P450 enzymes, which gives it a more predictable pharmacokinetic profile in patients with liver dysfunction. 3
Pharmacokinetic Profile
- Absorption: Rapidly absorbed after oral administration, reaching peak blood concentrations approximately 2 hours post-dose 2
- Elimination half-life: Approximately 12 hours 2
- Metabolism: Conjugation with glucuronic acid to form inactive lorazepam glucuronide 2
- Excretion: 70-75% excreted as glucuronide conjugate in urine 2
- Steady state: Achieved within 2-3 days on multiple-dose regimens 2
Clinical Applications
Lorazepam has been studied for multiple indications including:
- Antiemetic use: In cancer patients receiving cisplatin chemotherapy, with satisfactory responses in approximately 70% of patients 1
- Anxiolytic effects: 80% of patients had no significant anxiety after chemotherapy 1
- Amnesic properties: 46% of patients did not recall receiving chemotherapy 1
- Adjunctive antiemetic: Useful adjunct in chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting, though not recommended as single-agent antiemetic 4
Important Safety Considerations
Lorazepam should not be confused with similar-sounding drug names, as medication errors due to name confusion are a documented safety concern. 5 The brand name Ativan helps distinguish it from other medications, though prescribers should always use both generic and brand names when appropriate to minimize confusion.
Lorazepam is typically dosed at 0.5-2.0 mg every 4-6 hours (oral, intravenous, or sublingual) when used as an adjunct for chemotherapy-related symptoms. 4