Summary
Lorazepam is a classical benzodiazepine known for strong sedative and amnesic properties. It should only be used for short-term relief due to rapid tolerance and severe withdrawal risks. Never discontinue abruptly after regular use; tapering over weeks is essential. Combining with other depressants, especially alcohol or opioids, can be fatal. Medical supervision is strongly recommended.
Dose Information
| ROA | Light | Common | Strong | Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 0.25-0.5mg | 0.5-1.5mg | 1.5-2mg | 2mg+ |
| Sublingual | 0.25-0.5mg | 0.5-1.5mg | 1.5-2mg | 2mg+ |
| Intramuscular | 0.25-0.5mg | 0.5-1mg | 1-2mg | 2mg+ |
Light
Common
Strong
Heavy
Onset, Duration & After-effects
| ROA | Onset | Comeup | Peak | Offset | After Effects | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 20-60 min | 30-90 min | 1-6 hrs | 6-12 hrs | 24 hrs | 240-0 min |
| Sublingual | 10-20 min | 20-60 min | 1-6 hrs | 6-12 hrs | 24 hrs | 240-0 min |
| Intramuscular | 5-30 min | - | 4.0-8.0 hrs | - | 1.0-12.0 hrs | 240-0 min |
Tolerance
Build-up
develops over 1–4 weeks of daily use; hypnotic tolerance faster than anxiolytic tolerance
Reset
weeks to months depending on half-life and duration of use; taper recommended
Cross-tolerance
Effects
Positive
- Muscle relaxation
- Anxiolytic
- High muscle relaxant properties
- Nausea suppression
- Seizure suppression
- Physical euphoria
Negative
- Respiratory depression
- Sedation
- Sedative
- Dystaxia
Positive
- Anxiety suppression
Negative
- Motor control loss
- Emotion suppression
- Memory suppression
- Thought deceleration
- Compulsive redosing
- Delusions of sobriety
- Amnesia
- Dizziness
- Analysis suppression
- Delusions
- Information processing suppression
Positive
- Increased libido
- Appetite enhancement
Negative
- Disinhibition
- Acuity suppression
- Visual acuity suppression
- Decreased Libido
- Acuity Suppression
- Double vision
- Dulled perception
- Perception of bodily heaviness