The 3 Differences Between Lorazepam And Lormetazepam

Anxiety disorders spread like wildfire in the general population, since anyone belonging to a globalized country will know firsthand the dizzying pace at which society moves.

Therefore, it is no coincidence that the consumption of anxiolytics and hypnotics has increased in practically the entire world.

Despite being prescribed by a doctor, the abuse of these drugs is increasingly a concern for public health organizations. Based on this reason, knowing exactly the differences between medications that try to address nervous pathologies becomes essential. Here we will focus on the differences between lorazepam and lormetazepam

Main differences between lorazepam and lormetazepam

Lorazepam, alprazolam, oxazepam, temazepam, lormetazepam, triazolam… Without a doubt, the number of anxiolytics that end in “pam” can generate confusion even in the greatest of experts in the field. Therefore, here we will talk about the 3 differences between lorazepam and lormetazepam, two benzodiazepines widespread in the pharmaceutical world.

First of all, we see it as essential to frame the situation of anxiety and the disorders that it entails Various studies show us data of great interest:

A generalized anxiety disorder prevalence of 5% may seem very low, but we have to keep one thing in mind: Far from all cases are diagnosed and we are facing a variant that requires permanence Many people suffer from very strong anxiety episodes, but if these do not last over time, they are not considered a disorder as such. Thus, the numbers would surely be inflated if we took into account all the possible meanings of the term “anxiety.”

Before explaining the differences between lorazepam and lormetazepam, we have to keep in mind that Both drugs are within the group of benzodiazepines These are defined as psychotropic medications acting on the central nervous system with sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, amnesic and muscle relaxing effects.

The Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) published the report on the use of anxiolytics during the years 2000-2018 in Spain, which includes the most consumed active ingredients. At the top of the list we have lorazepam, with a consumption of 39.47%. The rest of the news is not positive, since for the year 2011, the number of Defined Daily Doses (DDD) of this type of drugs corresponded to 82.9 DDD per 1,000 inhabitants per day.

In recent years things have skyrocketed, as other sources indicate that from 2000 to 2012 the consumption of anxiolytics has increased by 57%. Furthermore, the figures in our country are some of the highest in Europe, surpassing Germany or the United Kingdom. Exposing these data is necessary, since some care must be taken with this type of drugs and the dependency they generate.

Now let’s look at the differences between lorazepam and lormetazepam.

1. The key to the differences lies in their use

Although both belong to the group of benzodiazepines, lorazepam and lormetazepam are used for relatively different disorders

First of all, lorazepam is an anxiolytic with sedative, muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant and amnesic properties. It has a high potency, since its bioavailability (the speed and effectiveness with which it reaches the target tissue) is 90% and reaches its peak concentration two hours after oral administration. According to the drug’s own medical leaflet, lorazepam is used in the following cases:

On the other hand, lormetazepam is a short-acting benzodiazepine with hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative, amnesic, and muscle relaxant properties (yes, almost the same as lorazepam). The essential difference between this medication and lorazepam is its hypnotic property This means that it is used almost exclusively for the short-term treatment of insomnia.

This drug normalizes the time to fall asleep and its duration, while reducing the number of interruptions of rest during the night. For this reason, it can also be used to induce sleep in pre- and post-operative periods.

As we can see, the essential functional difference between both medications is that lorazepam is used in a wide spectrum of situations to combat anxiety (since it does not severely affect the individual’s cognitive abilities), while lormetazepam seeks to ensure that the patient has deep, uninterrupted sleep.

2. Two types of administration for two different medications

Following again the medical leaflets of each of the drugs, we can discover even more differential properties between lorazepam and lormetazepam. The doses to be used are, without a doubt, a different element between both treatments

First of all, the administration of lorazepam is recommended (as long as it has been prescribed by a professional) in anxiety symptoms in a total concentration of 0.5 mg to 3 mg, divided into different doses during the day. This dose can be increased or decreased depending on the patient’s age or psychological needs. In general, treatment should not exceed 8-12 weeks (always being as short as possible). For the treatment of insomnia, a single dose of 1 mg is recommended in the first instance, which can be increased up to 4 mg, always before going to bed.

On the other hand, unlike lorazepam for anxiolytic use, It is recommended that the dose of lormetazepam be single and 1 mg 15 to 30 minutes before the patient goes to bed As it has a unique hypnotic effect, its administration during the day in small doses is not contemplated. Furthermore, in this case the dose can only be increased up to 2 mg in any case. Still, as with any benzodiazepine, treatment should last as short as possible.

3. Differences in popularity

As we have already said before, lorazepam (along with alprazolam) are the leading benzodiazepines as far as general consumption is concerned. In Spain, for example, lorazepam leads the way in consumption, with almost 40% of all prescribed anxiolytics This is followed by alprazolam (27.96%) and diazepam (16.46%). Between the years 2000 and 2011, a total of 20.5 Defined Daily Doses (DDD) of lorazepam were calculated per 1,000 inhabitants per day. It was also recorded that their consumption increased by 75% in this interval.

In the previous paragraph we have not stopped moving in the field of anxiolytics, so it is normal that lorazepam is at the top of the mountain, but things change when we look at hypnotics. Within its own territory, lormetazepam is king, since between 2000 and 2011 a total of 18.3 DDD per 1,000 inhabitants per day were calculated. Things get more interesting if we take into account that this drug increased its consumption by 103% in the measured interval.

From all this terminological conglomerate, one thing is clear: the consumption of lorazepam is more widespread than that of lormetazepam, but both are the dominant drugs within their own group of action.

Summary

As we have seen, the differences between lorazepam and lormetazepam are found in the details: one focuses more on sleep therapy and the other on generalized anxieties, they are administered in different ways and lorazepam is relatively more widespread in the general population. Nonetheless, Since they are both benzodiazepines, they share many more characteristics that differentiate them

Finally, it is necessary to highlight that all of these drugs present various complications: they generate dependency, can give rise to a rebound effect and can endanger the lives of people with respiratory disorders and other pathologies (such as sleep apnea). For this reason, its administration should only be contemplated under a medical prescription and during very strict temporary periods.