Lorazepam as a sedative-amnesic in an intensive care unit.
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. ECG, haemodynamic stability and biological determinations were monitored constantly. Apart from some delay in onset of action, lorazepam proved to be a useful sedative with diminished recall on the part of the patients. 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.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D008140:Lorazepam