Lorazepam is a type of benzodiazepine, an antianxiety medication that is metabolized more rapidly than many other benzodiazepines. Lorazepam is mainly used for the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety associated with depression, and it has been used to treat insomnia, nausea, and vomiting. Lorazepam has been evaluated as an adjunctive medication for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with cancer.
Herrstedt, J., & Roila, F. (2008). Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: ESMO clinical recommendations for prophylaxis. Annals of Oncology, 19(Suppl. 2), ii110–ii112.
PURPOSE: To provide guidance to clinicians for the prevention and management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
PATIENT POPULATION: Patients receiving cancer chemotherapy of varying emetogenic potential
PROCESS OF DEVELOPMENT: The process was not fully described. The references cited were the antiemetic resource center on the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer's (MASCC's) website and the Antiemetic Subcommittee of MASCC's 2004 consensus conference, cited in Annals of Oncology 2006, volume 17, pages 20–28. The levels of evidence and grades of recommendation used by the American Society of Clinical Oncology were applied to specific recommendations and considered by the authors and ESMO faculty.
This reference provides definitions of nausea and vomiting; the relative emetogenic potential of oral and IV drugs; recommendations of drugs, dosing, and schedules for antiemetic drugs; and recommendations for the management of nausea and vomiting based on emetogenic potential.