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Lorazepam in the elderly—a retrospective study of the side-effects in 20 patients

Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Canada

G.D. Embury

Geriatric Division, Riverview Hospital, British Columbia, Canada

G.W. MacEwan

Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Canada

J.S. Kennedy

Geriatric Division, Riverview Hospital, British Columbia, Canada

In a retrospective study of 20 elderly patients who were prescribed lorazepam prior to their admission to a geriatric psychiatry inpatient unit, the average length of prescription of the drug was 18 weeks with inadequate follow-up. Side-effects were common and consisted of oversedation, amnestic disorders, confusion, depression and ataxia. The majority of such events resolved on withdrawal of lorazepam in hospital. Particular note is made of the pro duction of a drug-induced pseudodementia misdiagnosed as a 'true' dementia which again resolved on cessation of the drug. It is concluded that there are insufficient data to recommend lorazepam over any other agent in the elderly and care should always be exercised when prescribing in older patients.

Journal of Psychopharmacology, Vol. 1, No. 2, 126-127 (1987)
DOI: 10.1177/026988118700100209


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