LORUS

Lorazepam is a short acting benzodiazepine. It increases neuronal membrane permeability to Cl ions by binding to stereospecific benzodiazepine receptors on the postsynaptic GABA neuron w/in the CNS (including the limbic system, reticular formation) and enhancing the GABA inhibitory effects resulting in hyperpolarisation and stabilization

Onset: Hypnosis: 20-30 min (IM); sedation: W/in 2-3 min (IV); anticonvulsant: W/in 10 min (IV), 30-60 min (oral). Duration: Up to 8 hr. Absorption: Readily absorbed. Bioavailability: Approx 90%. Time to peak plasma concentration: Approx 2 hr. Distribution: It crosses the placenta and blood-brain barrier; enters breast milk. Volume of distribution: Neonates: 0.78 L/kg; childn and adolescents: 1.9 L/kg; adult: 1.3 L/kg. Plasma protein binding: Approx 85%. Metabolism: Undergoes hepatic metabolism and converted to the inactive glucuronide. Excretion: Via urine (approx 88%) as inactive metabolites and faeces (approx 7%). Elimination half-life: Approx 10-20 hr.

Anxiety 1-6 mg/day in 2 or 3 divided doses. Largest dose to taken at bedtime. Up to 10 mg can be used. Insomnia associated with anxiety 1-4 mg as a single dose given at bedtime. Premedication in surgery 2-3 mg given at night before surgery , followed by 2-4 mg 1 hr pre-op. Packaging LORUS is available as alu- alu strip of 10*10s.

Alu alu strip of 10*10s.