Lorazepam has relatively potent anxiolytic effects and its best-known indication is the short-term management of severe anxiety; the FDA advises against use of benzodiazepines such as lorazepam for longer than 2–4 weeks.

The magnitude and duration of lorazepam effects are dose-related, meaning that larger doses have stronger and longer-lasting effects. So it may be necessary to repeat diazepam doses to maintain peak anticonvulsant effects, resulting in excess body accumulation. It may further reduce the patient's ability to protect his or her airway during sleep. The concern is that, though relatively nontoxic in themselvesverification needed, benzodiazepines may inadvertently become facilitators of suicidal behaviour. edit PharmacodynamicsRelative to other benzodiazepines, lorazepam is thought to have high affinity for GABA receptors, which may also explain its marked amnesic effects. Lorazepam, as with other benzodiazepine drugs, can cause physical dependence, addiction, and what is known as the benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. * Ataxia – This is a neurological clinical sign, consisting of unsteady and clumsy motion of the limbs and torso, due to failure of gross muscle movement coordination, most evident on standing and walking. Increasing the dose may overcome tolerance, but tolerance may then develop to the higher dose and adverse effects may persist and worsen. Lorazepam tablets and syrups are administered by mouth only. Potent benzodiazepines such as lorazepam, alprazolam and triazolam have the highest risk of causing a dependence.