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Lorazepam (Ativan)

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About Lorazepam

What it is

Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine that strengthens the calming effect of GABA in the brain. It is used for short-term relief of severe anxiety, before procedures, to stop prolonged seizures, and for alcohol withdrawal and agitation. It is sold as Ativan, among other names.

How genes come into it

Unlike many benzodiazepines, lorazepam is not broken down by CYP enzymes; it is joined to glucuronic acid by UGT2B15 and UGT2B7 and cleared by the kidneys. A study linked the UGT2B15*2 variant to slower clearance, and others looked at UGT2B7. The findings come from a few studies, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and Lorazepam. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Rated evidence (1 rated variant)

PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.

UGT2B15 rs1902023: Level 3. Metabolism/PK. 1.

Response (2 findings)

Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.

UGT2B7 rs7438284: Allele A is associated with increased response to lorazepam and valproic acid in healthy individuals as compared to allele T.

UGT2B7 rs7439366: Allele T is associated with increased response to lorazepam and valproic acid in healthy individuals as compared to allele C.

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

Benzodiazepines (class) (Benzodiazepines)

Byfavo (Benzodiazepines)

Onfi (Benzodiazepines)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

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Content updated September 2026.

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