title: Lorazepam in intensive care.
abstract: The suitability of lorazepam as a sedative for use in intensive care has been critically evaluated in 36 severely ill patients. The efficacy of lorazepam has been evaluated by regular measurements of both cardiovascular and neurological status as well as by the nursing staff directly involved with the care of the patients. A variety of patients have received lorazepam for sedation both while on intermittent positive pressure ventilation and when breathing spontaneously. The benefits of the predictable and even sedation produced by a long-acting drug of this nature are discussed. Particular attention has been paid to the possibility of accumulation of lorazepam in a similar way to that of diazepam, and the relative advantages of the two drugs for use in the intensive care situation have been compared.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000647:Amnesia / Q000139:chemically induced; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D003243:Consciousness / Q000187:drug effects; D003422:Critical Care; D003975:Diazepam / Q000378:metabolism; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011674:Pulse / Q000187:drug effects; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D008140:Lorazepam; D003975:Diazepam