Like all medicines, lorazepam can cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones.
Common side effects
These common side effects of lorazepam happen to more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Feeling sleepy or very tired in the daytime
Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery until you feel better. Do not drink any alcohol as this will make you feel worse.
This side effect should get better as your body gets used to the medicine. If your symptoms do not improve after a week or get worse, speak to a doctor as you may need a lower dose.
Muscle weakness
If you get unusual muscle weakness that is not from exercise or physical work, talk to a doctor. You may need a blood test to find the cause.
Problems with your co-ordination or controlling your movements
If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, speak to a doctor as you may need a lower dose.
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.
Serious side effects
It happens rarely in less than 1 in 1,000 people, but some people have serious side effects when taking lorazepam.
Tell a doctor or call 111 straight away if:
- the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin turns yellow although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin – this could be a sign of liver problems
- you see or hear things that are not there (hallucinations)
- you think things that are not true (delusions)
- you keep falling over
- you have unusual mood changes such as talking more than usual or feeling overexcited, agitated, restless, irritable or aggressive – these side effects are more likely in children or if you're over 65
Make an appointment to see your doctor if you have memory loss (amnesia).
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
- you have difficulty breathing or your breathing becomes very slow
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, lorazepam may cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Long-term side effects
Lorazepam can cause withdrawal symptoms if you take it for a long time.
If you're prescribed lorazepam for more than 4 weeks, your dose may be reduced gradually when you stop taking it to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of lorazepam. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.