If possible before you receive lorazepam injection, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
- narrow-angle glaucoma;
- sleep apnea or severe breathing problem;
- a known allergy to polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or benzyl alcohol; or
- a history of allergic reaction to any benzodiazepine (lorazepam, alprazolam, diazepam, Ativan, Klonopin, Restoril, Tranxene, Valium, Versed, Xanax, and others).
If possible before you receive lorazepam, tell your caregivers if you have ever had:
- seizures;
- asthma or other breathing disorder;
- liver disease; or
- kidney disease.
Lorazepam may harm an unborn baby, and generally should not be used during pregnancy. However, status epilepticus is a life-threatening condition and the benefit of receiving lorazepam to treat it may outweigh any risk to the unborn baby.
Sedatives used during surgery may affect brain development in a child under 3, or an unborn baby whose mother receives this medicine during late pregnancy. These effects may be more likely when a sedative is used for 3 hours or longer, or used for repeated procedures. Effects on brain development could cause learning or behavior problems later in life.
Negative brain effects from sedatives have been seen in animal studies. However, studies in human children receiving single short uses of this medicine have not shown a likely effect on behavior or learning. More research is needed.
In some cases, your doctor may decide to postpone a surgery based on these risks. Treatment may not be delayed in the case of life-threatening conditions, medical emergencies, or surgery needed to correct certain birth defects.
Ask your doctor for information about all medicines that will be used during your surgery, and how long the surgery will last.
In an emergency, you may not be able to tell caregivers if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you received this medicine.