pms-Lorazepam Warnings

Addiction, Abuse and Misuse: The use of benzodiazepines, including pms-LORAZEPAM can lead to abuse, misuse, addiction, physical dependence and withdrawal reactions. Abuse and misuse can result in overdose or death, especially when benzodiazepines are combined with other medicines, such as opioids, alcohol or illicit drugs.
Assess each patient's risk prior to prescribing pms-LORAZEPAM.
Monitor all patients regularly for the development of these behaviours or conditions.
pms-LORAZEPAM should be stored securely to avoid theft or misuse.
Withdrawal: Benzodiazepines, like pms-LORAZEPAM can produce severe or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
Avoid abrupt discontinuation or rapid dose reduction of pms-LORAZEPAM.
Terminate treatment with pms-LORAZEPAM by gradually tapering the dosage schedule under close monitoring (see Dependence/Tolerance under Precautions).
Risks from Concomitant Use with Opioids: Concomitant use of pms-LORAZEPAM and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death (see Concomitant Use with Opioids under Precautions).
Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate.
Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.
Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.