Posted by sukarno on March 20, 2007, at 22:21:03
In reply to Re: Why is Ativan preferred more at hospitals?, posted by tessellated on March 20, 2007, at 5:24:18
"The use of diazepam is limited by its rapid redistribution out of the CNS. The duration of action of diazepam is approximately 20–30 minutes. Pharmacokinetic studies of lorazepam have shown it has an elimination half life of 13 hours. Lorazepam has a much longer duration of anticonvulsant action than diazepam and has an equivalent onset of action."
"Clinical bottom line -
Intravenous lorazepam is effective and safe in the treatment of status epilepticus. It should be the first line of treatment."Quoted from:
Lorazepam or diazepam for generalised convulsions in adults
http://emj.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/18/2/116-a
That's in regards to intravenous use. I used to wonder too why ER doctors would prefer IV lorazepam as it is indeed shorter-acting than diazepam when taken orally. It was explained to me that lorazepam acts differently when used intravenously.
poster:sukarno
thread:741478
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070320/msgs/742678.html