Lorazepam is a new benzodiazepine derivative with potent anxiolytic and sedative properties inherent in the group. Many studies suggest that it is a more potent drug with minimal side effects. There is a structural similarity between lorazepam and oxazepam, since both result from a demethylation and hydroxylation of diazepam, with lorazepam being distinguished by the presence of a chlorophenyl side chain.
It has been reported that chlorpromazine, lithium and several psychotropic drugs elevated the blood alcohol level in rabbits.
In view of these findings, the author conducted an animal experiment to investigate the effect of lorazepam on blood alcohol level in rabbits.
Material and´ Method
1. The experimental work was done with mature rabbits of both sexes, weighing about 2.Okg.
2. The experimental animals were divided into 2 groups; the control and the experimental groups.
3. The control group was given alcohol alone.
4. The experimental group was divided into 2 subgroups;
a) alcohol plus lorazepam, 1.Omg/kg of body weight,
b) alcohol plus lorazepam, 2.Omg/kg of body weight.
5. Each alcohol plus lorazepam group was further divided into 2 subgroups, in which one subgroup was given lorazepam for 5 days and another for 10 days.
6. Lorazepam was given orally in a single daily dose. The last dose was given 60 minutes before alcohol administration.
7. In all groups, 20% ethanol solution was given in a dose of 5.0 ml/kg of body weight, at a constant rate for 5 minutes, by intravenous route.
8. All of the blood specimens were obtained by cardiac puncture at 15 and 45 minutes respectively after alcohol administration.
9. The blood alcohol level was determined by Cavett´s method.
Results
1. Alcohol plus lorazepam (lmg/kg for 5 days) subgroup. Lorazepam elevated the blood alcohol level significantly at both 15 minutes (P <0.005) and 45 minutes (P<0.005) after alcohol administration.
2. Alcohol plus lorazepam (1mg/kg for 10 days), subgroup. Lorazepam elevated the blood alcohol level significantly at both 15 minutes (P 3. Alcohol plus lorazepam(2mg/kg for 5 days) subgroup. Lorazepam elevated the blood alcohol level significantly at both 15 minutes (P 4. Alcohol plus lorazepam(2mg/kg for 10 days) subgroup. Lorazepam elevated the blood alcohol´ level significantly at both 15 minutes (P Conclusions
1. The orally administered lorazepam in a dose of lmg/kg of body weight daily for 5 or 10 days elevated significantly in rabbits at both 15 and 45 minutes after alcohol administration.
2. The orally administered lorazepam in a dose of 2mg/kg of body weight daily for 5 or 10 days elevated significantly in rabbits at both 15 and 45 minutes after alcohol administration.
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