Driving After Lorazepam: Waiting Period Guidelines

Pharmacological Properties and Impairment

• The European Society of Cardiology notes that lorazepam has a duration of action of 1-24 hours, with prolonged impairment of psychomotor function 1
• The European Society of Cardiology also states that lorazepam is highly deliriogenic, with delayed awakening compared to shorter-acting benzodiazepines 1
• Patients with hepatic or renal impairment, elderly patients, and those taking other CNS depressants may experience prolonged effects requiring extended driving restrictions, as suggested by the European Heart Journal and Gastroenterology 1, 2

Special Considerations

• The American Gastroenterological Association implies that individual variation in patients, such as those with hepatic or renal impairment, elderly patients, and those taking other CNS depressants, may require extended driving restrictions 2