LORAZEPAM

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Status Epilepticus Lorazepam injection is indicated for the treatment of status epilepticus. Preanesthetic Lorazepam injection is indicated in adult patients for preanesthetic medication, producing sedation (sleepiness or drowsiness), relief of anxiety, and a decreased ability to recall events related to the day of surgery. It is most useful in those patients who are anxious about their surgical procedure and who would prefer to have diminished recall of the events of the day of surgery (see PRECAUTIONS, Information for Patients ).

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION NOTE: CONTAINS BENZYL ALCOHOL (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS, Pediatric Use ). Lorazepam must never be used without individualization of dosage particularly when used with other medications capable of producing central-nervous-system depression. EQUIPMENT NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN A PATENT AIRWAY SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE PRIOR TO INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF LORAZEPAM (see WARNINGS ). Status Epilepticus General Advice Status epilepticus is a potentially life-threatening condition associated with a high risk of permanent neurological impairment, if inadequately treated. The treatment of status, however, requires far more than the administration of an anticonvulsant agent. It involves observation and management of all parameters critical to maintaining vital function and the capacity to provide support of those functions as required. Ventilatory support must be readily available. The use of benzodiazepines, like Lorazepam injection, is ordinarily only an initial step of a complex and sustained intervention which may require additional interventions, (e.g., concomitant intravenous administration of phenytoin). Because status epilepticus may result from a correctable acute cause such as hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, or other metabolic or toxic derangement, such an abnormality must be immediately sought and corrected. Furthermore, patients who are susceptible to further seizure episodes should receive adequate maintenance antiepileptic therapy. Any healthcare professional who intends to treat a patient with status epilepticus should be familiar with this package insert and the pertinent medical literature concerning current concepts for the treatment of status epilepticus. A comprehensive review of the considerations critical to the informed and prudent management of status epilepticus cannot be provided in drug product labeling. The archival medical literature contains many informative references on the management of status epilepticus, among them the report of the working group on status epilepticus of the Epilepsy Foundation of America "Treatment of Convulsive Status Epilepticus" (JAMA 1993; 270:854–859). As noted in the report just cited, it may be useful to consult with a neurologist if a patient fails to respond (e.g., fails to regain consciousness). Intravenous Injection For the treatment of status epilepticus, the usual recommended dose of lorazepam injection is 4 mg given slowly (2 mg/min) for patients 18 years and older. If seizures cease, no additional lorazepam injection is required. If seizures continue or recur after a 10- to 15-minute observation period, an additional 4 mg intravenous dose may be slowly administered. Experience with further doses of lorazepam is very limited. The usual precautions in treating status epilepticus should be employed. An intravenous infusion should be started, vital signs should be monitored, an unobstructed airway should be maintained, and artificial ventilation equipment should be available. Intramuscular Injection Intramuscular lorazepam is not preferred in the treatment of status epilepticus because therapeutic lorazepam levels may not be reached as quickly as with intravenous administration. However, when an intravenous port is not available, the intramuscular route may prove useful (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism ). Pediatric The safety of lorazepam in pediatric patients has not been established. Preanesthetic Intramuscular Injection For the designated indications as a premedicant, the usual recommended dose of lorazepam for intramuscular injection is 0.05 mg/kg up to a maximum of 4 mg. As with all premedicant drugs, the dose should be individualized (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY , WARNINGS , PRECAUTIONS , and ADVERSE REACTIONS ). Doses of other central-nervous-system-depressant drugs ordinarily should be reduced (see PRECAUTIONS ). For optimum effect, measured as lack of recall, intramuscular lorazepam should be administered at l …

CONTRAINDICATIONS Lorazepam injection is contraindicated in patients with a known sensitivity to benzodiazepines or its vehicle (polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and benzyl alcohol), in patients with acute narrow-angle glaucoma, or in patients with sleep apnea syndrome. It is also contraindicated in patients with severe respiratory insufficiency, except in those patients requiring relief of anxiety and/or diminished recall of events while being mechanically ventilated. The use of lorazepam injection intra-arterially is contraindicated because, as with other injectable benzodiazepines, inadvertent intra-arterial injection may produce arteriospasm resulting in gangrene which may require amputation (see WARNINGS ). Lorazepam injection is contraindicated for use in premature infants because the formulation contains benzyl alcohol (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS, Pediatric Use ).

ADVERSE REACTIONS Status Epilepticus The most important adverse clinical event caused by the use of Lorazepam injection is respiratory depression (see WARNINGS ). The adverse clinical events most commonly observed with the use of Lorazepam injection in clinical trials evaluating its use in status epilepticus were hypotension, somnolence, and respiratory failure. Incidence in Controlled Clinical Trials All adverse events were recorded during the trials by the clinical investigators using terminology of their own choosing. Similar types of events were grouped into standardized categories using modified COSTART dictionary terminology. These categories are used in the table and listings below with the frequencies representing the proportion of individuals exposed to Lorazepam injection or to comparative therapy. The prescriber should be aware that these figures cannot be used to predict the frequency of adverse events in the course of usual medical practice where patient characteristics and other factors may differ from those prevailing during clinical studies. Similarly, the cited frequencies cannot be directly compared with figures obtained from other clinical investigators involving different treatment, uses, or investigators. An inspection of these frequencies, however, does provide the prescribing physician with one basis to estimate the relative contribution of drug and nondrug factors to the adverse event incidences in the population studied. Commonly Observed Adverse Events in a Controlled Dose-Comparison Clinical Trial Table 1 lists the treatment-emergent adverse events that occurred in the patients treated with Lorazepam injection in a dose-comparison trial of lorazepam 1 mg, 2 mg, and 4 mg. TABLE 1. NUMBER (%) OF STUDY EVENTS IN A DOSE COMPARISON CLINICAL TRIAL Body System Event Lorazepam Injection (n=130) : One hundred and thirty (130) patients received Lorazepam injection. Any Study Event (1 or more) : Totals are not necessarily the sum of the individual study events because a patient may report two or more different study events in the same body system. 16 (12.3%) Body as a whole Infection 1 (<1%) Cardiovascular system Hypotension 2 (1.5%) Digestive system Liver function tests abnormal 1 (<1%) Nausea 1 (<1%) Vomiting 1 (<1%) Metabolic and Nutritional Acidosis 1 (<1%) Nervous system Brain edema 1 (<1%) Coma 1 (<1%) Convulsion 1 (<1%) Somnolence 2 (1.5%) Thinking abnormal 1 (<1%) Respiratory system Hyperventilation 1 (<1%) Hypoventilation 1 (<1%) Respiratory failure 2 (1.5%) Terms not classifiable Injection site reaction 1 (<1%) Urogenital system Cystitis 1 (<1%) Commonly Observed Adverse Events in Active-Controlled Clinical Trials In two studies, patients who completed the course of treatment for status epilepticus were permitted to be reenrolled and to receive treatment for a second status episode, given that there was a sufficient interval between the two episodes. Safety was determined from all treatment episodes for all intent-to-treat patients, i.e., from all "patient-episodes." Table 2 lists the treatment-emergent adverse events that occurred in at least 1% of the patient-episodes in which Lorazepam injection or diazepam was given. The table represents the pooling of results from the two controlled trials. TABLE 2. NUMBER (%) OF STUDY EVENTS IN ACTIVE CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL Body System Event Lorazepam Injection (n=85) : The number indicates the number of "patient-episodes." Patient-episodes were used rather than "patients" because a total of 7 patients were reenrolled for the treatment of a second episode of status: 5 patients received Lorazepam injection on two occasions that were far enough apart to establish the diagnosis of status epilepticus for each episode, and using the same time criterion, 2 patients received diazepam on two occasions. Diazepam (n=80) Any Study Event (1 or more) : Totals are not necessarily the sum of the individual study events because a patient may report two or more different stud …

Drug Interactions

DESCRIPTION Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine with antianxiety, sedative, and anticonvulsant effects, is intended for the intramuscular or intravenous routes of administration. It has the chemical formula: 7-chloro-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2 H -1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one. The molecular weight is 321.16, and the C.A.S. No. is [846-49-1]. The structural formula is: Lorazepam is a nearly white powder almost insoluble in water. Each mL of sterile injection contains either 2 or 4 mg of lorazepam, 0.18 mL polyethylene glycol 400 in propylene glycol with 2% benzyl alcohol as preservative. Chemical Structure

OVERDOSAGE Overdosage of benzodiazepines is characterized by central nervous system depression ranging from drowsiness to coma. In mild to moderate cases, symptoms can include drowsiness, confusion, dysarthria, lethargy, hypnotic state, diminished reflexes, ataxia, and hypotonia. Rarely, paradoxical or disinhibitory reactions (including agitation, irritability, impulsivity, violent behavior, confusion, restlessness, excitement, and talkativeness) may occur. In severe overdosage cases, patients may develop respiratory depression and coma. Overdosage of benzodiazepines in combination with other CNS depressants (including alcohol and opioids) may be fatal (see WARNINGS, Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction ). Markedly abnormal (lowered or elevated) blood pressure, heart rate, or respiratory rate raise the concern that additional drugs and/or alcohol are involved in the overdosage. In managing benzodiazepine overdosage, employ general supportive measures, including intravenous fluids and airway management. Flumazenil, a specific benzodiazepine receptor antagonist indicated for the complete or partial reversal of the sedative effects of benzodiazepines in the management of benzodiazepine overdosage, can lead to withdrawal and adverse reactions, including seizures, particularly in the context of mixed overdosage with drugs that increase seizure risk (e.g., tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants) and in patients with long-term benzodiazepine use and physical dependency. The risk of withdrawal seizures with flumazenil use may be increased in patients with epilepsy. Flumazenil is contraindicated in patients who have received a benzodiazepine for control of a potentially life-threatening condition (e.g., status epilepticus). If the decision is made to use flumazenil, it should be used as an adjunct to, not as a substitute for, supportive management of benzodiazepine overdosage. See the flumazenil Injection Prescribing Information. Consider contacting the Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222) or a medical toxicologist for additional overdosage management recommendations.

HOW SUPPLIED Lorazepam injection, USP is available as: 2 mg/Ml Carton containing 10 1 mL fill Single-dose cartridge with Luer Lock for the CarpujectTM Syringe System NDC: 70518-3766-00 NDC: 70518-3766-01 PACKAGING: 10 in 1 CARTON PACKAGING: 1 mL in 1 CARTRIDGE, TYPE 7 Instructions for Use of the Syringe Systems Instructions for using the Carpuject Syringe are available with the reusable Carpuject Holder, List 2049-02. Directions for Dilution for intravenous use. 1. CarpujectTM: Extrude the entire amount of air in the partially-filled cartridge. 2. Slowly aspirate the desired volume of diluent. Do not exceed the volume of the drug. 3. Do not add additional medication to the syringe. 4. Pull back slightly on the plunger to provide additional mixing space. 5. Immediately mix contents thoroughly by gently inverting syringe or cartridge repeatedly until a homogenous solution results. Do not shake vigorously, as this will result in air entrapment. For intramuscular use. For intravenous route, see directions. To prevent needle-stick injuries, needles should not be recapped, purposely bent, or broken by hand. Protect from light. Use carton to protect contents from light. Keep in a refrigerator 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F). Repackaged and Distributed By: Remedy Repack, Inc. 625 Kolter Dr. Suite #4 Indiana, PA 1-724-465-8762