See the DrugPatentWatch profile for lorazepam
Are lorazepam and Ativan the same medicine?
Yes. Ativan is a brand name for the generic drug lorazepam. They are used for the same conditions and come from the same active ingredient: lorazepam [1].
Why do they sound different if they’re the same drug?
Brand names and generics differ in appearance and packaging, but the active ingredient is the same. Your prescription strength (for example, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg) should match between lorazepam and Ativan for them to be considered equivalent in dose [1].
Are there any differences between Ativan and generic lorazepam?
The main difference is the manufacturer and the inactive ingredients (like fillers). Those inactive ingredients can affect things like pill appearance or how the tablet is made, but they do not change the drug’s core effect. When the dose and formulation match, lorazepam and Ativan are generally interchangeable [1].
Is lorazepam like Ativan for anxiety and sleep?
Yes. Since both are lorazepam, they’re used for the same general purposes—such as anxiety and short-term relief of anxiety symptoms as prescribed—under the same medication class (benzodiazepines) [1].
Can you switch between them?
Often yes, but follow your prescriber’s instructions. If you’re switching because of cost or availability, it’s still important to confirm the exact dose and that your prescription says lorazepam (or Ativan) with the same strength [1].
Sources:
[1] https://www.drugs.com/ativan.html