Baby Safety / Compounds / Lorazepam

Is Lorazepam safe for babies and kids?

Elevated risk for kids

Infants have immature drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP450 ontogeny), reduced renal clearance, and different volume of distribution. Accidental exposure or breast milk transfer of Lorazepam poses heightened risk.

What is lorazepam?

The IUPAC name is 7-chloro-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-hydroxy-1,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one.

Also known as: 7-chloro-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-hydroxy-1,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one, Ativan, Temesta, Loraz.

IUPAC name
7-chloro-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-hydroxy-1,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one
CAS number
846-49-1
Molecular formula
C15H10Cl2N2O2
Molecular weight
321.2 g/mol
SMILES
C1=CC=C(C(=C1)C2=NC(C(=O)NC3=C2C=C(C=C3)Cl)O)Cl
PubChem CID
3958

Risk for babies

Elevated risk

Infants have immature drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP450 ontogeny), reduced renal clearance, and different volume of distribution. Accidental exposure or breast milk transfer of Lorazepam poses heightened risk.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Moderate risk

Lorazepam is FDA Pregnancy Category D. Crosses the placenta; distributed in amniotic fluid. Maternal lorazepam use near delivery produces neonatal CNS depression ('floppy infant'), hypothermia, and respiratory depression. As with all benzodiazepines, neonatal withdrawal syndrome can occur with chronic maternal use. Unlike diazepam, lorazepam's lack of active metabolites means maternal and neonatal pharmacokinetics are more predictable. For acute seizure emergencies during pregnancy (including eclampsia-related seizures), IV lorazepam is an acceptable option when IV diazepam or magnesium sulfate are insufficient. Chronic use in pregnancy for anxiety is not recommended; psychological therapies are preferred first-line, and if pharmacotherapy is needed, benzodiazepines should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary duration.

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Lorazepam.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
US FDA (Schedule IV DEA controlled substance; approved drug)2022no carcinogenicity classification; DEA Schedule IV controlled substance (Ativan); FDA-approved for anxiety disorders, status epilepticus (IV), procedural sedation, and insomnia short-term; not classified for carcinogenicity by NTP, IARC, or EFSA

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter lorazepam

  • Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
  • Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Lorazepam:

  • Therapeutic alternatives (consult prescriber)
    Trade-offs: Drug-specific. Cannot substitute without medical guidance.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is lorazepam safe for kids?

Infants have immature drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP450 ontogeny), reduced renal clearance, and different volume of distribution. Accidental exposure or breast milk transfer of Lorazepam poses heightened risk.

What products contain lorazepam?

Lorazepam appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).

What should I do if my child is exposed to lorazepam?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

See Lorazepam in the baby app

Look up products containing lorazepam, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (1)
  1. FDA Lorazepam Ativan Prescribing Information 2022: Schedule IV; Glucuronide Conjugation No Active Metabolites; Status Epilepticus IV First-Line; Propylene Glycol Vehicle Toxicity High-Dose Infusion; Pregnancy Category D; Black Box Opioid Warning (2022) — regulatory

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →