Current medical research and opinion
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A clinical study was carried out to evaluate the usefulness of intravenous lorazepam, given for sedation instead of opiate narcotics or diazepam, in 25 seriously-ill patients being treated in a respiratory and intensive care unit. All but 3 patients were on assisted ventilation. Standard doses of 4 mg lorazepam were given at 4 or 6-hourly intervals for periods up to 25 days. ⋯ No side-effects were reported, nor was there any local reaction to the injection. Cardiac output was measured in 9 patients following intravenous administration of a single-dose of either 4 mg or 8 mg lorazepam. No significant changes were recorded.