ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/lorazepam
US brand names:Ativan
Lorazepam is dosed at 0.3 mg/kg intranasal single dose; sedation assessed at 20 minutes in zebra finches, per Khelik I, Kanda I, Grindstaff JL, Brandão J. Effective Dose 50 of Intranasal Lorazepam for Clinical Sedation in Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata). J Avian Med Surg. 2026;40(1):32-38. doi:10.1647/avianms-d-24-00060 https://europepmc.org/article/MED/41926276. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Intermediate-acting benzodiazepine enhancing GABA-A receptor function. Glucuronide conjugation (no active metabolites).
DEA Schedule IV. Useful in hepatic disease (glucuronidation, not oxidation). Status epilepticus treatment. Cats: may cause hepatic necrosis (rare). Sedation, ataxia.
Species references:All Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Zebra Finch drugs
Controlled substance in the US
Controlled-drug status and schedules differ by country — check your local scheduling rules.
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 0.05–0.2 mg/kg | IV bolus, may repeat | Moderate | Naeser J, Lichtenberger M, Mariani C, Thamm DHM, Kirby R. Clinical comparison of lorazepam Vs. diazepam in the control of canine seizures. J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2004;14(S1):S1-S17. doi:10.1111/j.1476-4431.2004.t01-30-04035.x doi:10.1111/j.1476-4431.2004.t01-30-04035.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.807 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.778, Lorazepam monograph spanning p.778-780; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
Upgrade to Pro or Student to unlock the full dose ranges and frequency for every species. The drug's mechanism, warnings, indications, and cited sources are free to read.
View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.