How long should Lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg be administered intravenously for anxiety management?

Lorazepam (Ativan) is a benzodiazepine frequently used for managing anxiety, seizures, and insomnia, among other indications. When administering lorazepam intravenously, it is critical to consider the onset of action and the risk of potential side effects, such as respiratory depression.

The appropriate method for administering lorazepam intravenously involves giving it slowly to minimize the risk of adverse effects and ensure the medication is well tolerated. The generally accepted guideline for intravenous administration of lorazepam is to give it over a period of about 2 minutes for a dose of 1 mg, but evidence supports that administering it over approximately 3 minutes is safe and effective in practice. This duration allows for the medication to enter the bloodstream gradually, reducing the risk of sudden onset of side effects, while still providing rapid relief for anxiety.

This practice is aligned with recommended guidelines to ensure patient safety and effective anxiety management, which is foundational to medication administration in clinical settings.