On regular administration, maximum lorazepam serum levels are attained after three days.

Lorazepam is a different case: Its low lipid solubility makes it relatively slowly absorbed by any route other than intravenously, but once injected will not get significantly redistributed beyond the vascular space. Paradoxical effects can also occur, such as worsening of seizures, or paradoxical excitement; paradoxical excitement is more likely to occur in the elderly, children, those with a history of alcohol abuse and in people with a history of aggression or anger problems. Symptoms may recur and treatment for some days may be necessary. Signs of overdose range through mental confusion, dysarthria, paradoxical reactions, drowsiness, hypotonia, ataxia, hypotension, hypnotic state, coma, cardiovascular depression, respiratory depression, and death. Intravenous diazepam or lorazepam are first-line treatments for convulsive status epilepticus. It has a fairly short duration of action (Venable and Aschenbrenner 2009). The elderly metabolise benzodiazepines more slowly than younger people and are more sensitive to the adverse effects of benzodiazepines compared to younger individuals even at similar plasma levels. Toxicity from propylene glycol has been reported in the case of a patient receiving a continuous lorazepam infusion. Wyeth's original patent on lorazepam is expired in the United States but the drug continues to be commercially viable. Otherwise, management is by observation, including of vital signs, support and, only if necessary, considering the hazards of doing so, giving intravenous flumazenil.