Treatment of Acute Anxiety and Agitation by Intravenous Administration of Lorazepam

Summary

Fifty acutely anxious and\or agitated patients requiring immediate sedation were treated with intravenous lorazepam. Most patients responded to a dose of 5 to 10 mg. (average 7.5 mg.), and the sedative-hypnotic effect became apparent within 5 minutes of injection, except in severe cases. In these patients, dosage was increased to 15 to 20 mg., and even to 30 to 40 mg. in those with delirium tremens, who proved difficult to treat with lorazepam alone. Side-effects were minimal and not troublesome, and there was no evidence of respiratory depression or cardiovascular effects, even in the elderly patients treated. Local tolerance of the injection was very good.

Key Words::

• Lorazepam
• tranquillising agents
• neuroses
• anxiety
• mental disorders