If you are taking TRANQIPAM, you are taking a medicine that contains lorazepam. Lorazepam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines, which are used for certain anxiety-related conditions. In South Africa, TRANQIPAM is a Schedule 5 (S5) medicine, so it must be used only under medical supervision and exactly as prescribed.
You may be given TRANQIPAM if your doctor believes your anxiety symptoms need medicine. It is used for anxiety disturbances, panic disturbances, phobic anxiety disturbances, anxiety linked to organic disease, and adjustment disturbances with anxiety or stress reactions. It is not meant for ordinary everyday tension or stress that does not need an anxiety medicine.
What it is and what it is used for
TRANQIPAM is a tranquilliser medicine. Its active ingredient is lorazepam, which is a benzodiazepine with anxiety-relieving effects.
If your doctor has prescribed TRANQIPAM for you, it may be for one of the uses listed below.
Conditions it is used for
TRANQIPAM is indicated for:
- Anxiety disturbances or anxiety states, including:
- General anxiety disturbances
- Panic disturbances
- Phobic anxiety disturbances
- Anxiety associated with and caused by organic disease
- Adjustment disturbances with anxiety or stress reactions
It is important to know that the source states that anxiety or tension linked to everyday life does not require treatment with an anxiolytic medicine. An anxiolytic is a medicine used to reduce anxiety.
Strengths available
| TRANQIPAM product | Active ingredient | Strength per tablet |
|---|---|---|
| TRANQIPAM – 0,5 | Lorazepam | 0,5 mg |
| TRANQIPAM – 1 | Lorazepam | 1 mg |
| TRANQIPAM – 2,5 | Lorazepam | 2,5 mg |
How it works
TRANQIPAM works in your central nervous system, which includes your brain and spinal cord. It is thought to help by increasing the calming effects of a natural brain chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid, often shortened to GABA.
You can think of GABA as one of the body’s natural “braking systems” for nerve activity. When lorazepam supports this calming effect, overactive signals in the brain may settle down. This can help reduce anxiety symptoms in people who need this type of treatment.
After you take TRANQIPAM by mouth, it is absorbed quickly. The highest level in your blood usually happens about 2 hours after taking it. The source states that the half-life of unconjugated lorazepam in human plasma is about 12 to 16 hours, which means the medicine stays in the body for a period of time after you take it.
Who should NOT use this medicine
Do not use TRANQIPAM if you:
- Are allergic or hypersensitive to lorazepam
- Are allergic or hypersensitive to other benzodiazepines
- Already have central nervous system depression
- Are in a coma
- Have porphyria
Warning: If any of these apply to you, do not take TRANQIPAM. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Warnings and precautions
TRANQIPAM can be helpful when used correctly, but it also has important safety risks. Because it affects your brain and nervous system, you need to take it with care.
Alcohol and sedating medicines
Your tolerance for alcohol and other central nervous system depressants may be reduced while you are taking TRANQIPAM. This means you may feel the effects of alcohol or sedating medicines more strongly than usual.
TRANQIPAM can add to the effects of other substances that slow down the central nervous system, including:
- Alcohol
- Barbiturates
Warning: Avoid alcohol while taking TRANQIPAM unless your doctor has specifically advised you otherwise.
Driving, machinery, and risky activities
TRANQIPAM may make you:
- Drowsy
- Dizzy
- Less alert
- Slower to react
- Unsteady
- Less coordinated
You should not drive, operate dangerous machinery, or climb dangerous heights until you know that TRANQIPAM does not affect you in these ways.
This matters in everyday life. For example, if you drive to work, use power tools, work on machinery, climb ladders, or look after children, you need to be sure you can do these things safely.
Mental health conditions
TRANQIPAM should generally be avoided if you have:
- Psychotic illness
- Mental depression
- Suicidal tendencies
The source says this medicine should generally be avoided in these situations unless there is a clear anxiety component in the illness.
If you have depression, severe mood changes, or thoughts of harming yourself, tell your doctor before using TRANQIPAM. Also tell your doctor if your mood gets worse while taking it.
Epilepsy and seizures
If you have epilepsy, you may need special care while using TRANQIPAM. The source states that starting benzodiazepine treatment or suddenly stopping it has provoked seizures in epileptic patients.
Do not suddenly stop taking TRANQIPAM unless your doctor tells you to. Your doctor may need to reduce your dose gradually.
Older or physically weakened patients
If you are elderly or debilitated, you may be more sensitive to TRANQIPAM. You may have a higher risk of:
- Over-sedation
- Breathing depression
- Unsteadiness
- Poor coordination, also called ataxia
The starting dose should be reduced in elderly or debilitated patients.
Breathing or lung conditions
Use TRANQIPAM carefully if you have:
- Pulmonary disease
- Limited pulmonary reserve
- Impaired respiratory function
Because TRANQIPAM can slow down the central nervous system, it may increase the risk of breathing-related problems in people who are already vulnerable.
Liver or kidney problems
Your doctor needs to know if you have problems with your:
- Liver
- Kidneys
- Breathing
The source states that caution is required in people with impaired liver, kidney, or respiratory function. It also states that the way TRANQIPAM behaves in the body may change in impaired kidney function.
Glaucoma
You should use TRANQIPAM with caution if you have acute narrow-angle glaucoma.
Dependence and withdrawal
TRANQIPAM can lead to dependence. This means your body may become used to the medicine, especially if you take it continuously.
The source also states that there is potential for abuse. People who may be more addiction-prone, such as people with drug addiction or alcohol addiction, should be carefully monitored while taking TRANQIPAM.
Withdrawal symptoms can happen if TRANQIPAM is stopped suddenly. These may include:
- Low mood or uneasiness
- Trouble sleeping
- Convulsions
- Tremor
- Stomach cramps
- Muscle cramps
- Vomiting
- Sweating
These symptoms are more common in people who have taken high doses for a long time. However, the source also states that withdrawal symptoms have been reported after suddenly stopping TRANQIPAM even when it was taken continuously at therapeutic doses.
Warning: Do not stop TRANQIPAM suddenly unless your doctor tells you to. It should be stopped gradually to help avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Long-term monitoring
If you are on long-term TRANQIPAM treatment, your doctor may want to monitor your health. The source recommends periodic:
- Blood counts
- Liver-function tests
This is because some people taking benzodiazepines have developed blood abnormalities, and some have had raised liver enzymes.
Lactose and diabetes
TRANQIPAM contains lactose, a type of sugar. The source states that lactose may affect glycaemic control in people with diabetes mellitus.
You should not take TRANQIPAM if you have rare hereditary conditions such as:
- Galactose intolerance, including galactosaemia
- Lapp lactase deficiency
- Glucose-galactose malabsorption
- Fructose intolerance
Pregnancy, planning pregnancy, and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, in labour, or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor before using TRANQIPAM.
The source states that TRANQIPAM should be used carefully during pregnancy and should preferably be avoided.
TRANQIPAM and its glucuronide can cross the placenta. This means the medicine can pass from the mother to the baby during pregnancy.
If TRANQIPAM is given during labour, it crosses the placenta and may cause floppy infant syndrome. The source describes this as including:
- Central respiratory depression
- Hypothermia, which means low body temperature
- Poor sucking
TRANQIPAM should not be given to nursing mothers because there is evidence that it passes into human breast milk.
Note: If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not start or stop TRANQIPAM without medical advice.
Interactions
Interactions can happen when another medicine, drink, or substance changes how TRANQIPAM affects you.
Alcohol
Alcohol can increase the sedating effects of TRANQIPAM. You may become more drowsy, dizzy, confused, or unsteady. The risk of central nervous system depression may also increase.
Other central nervous system depressants
TRANQIPAM can have additive depressant effects when taken with other medicines or substances that slow down the central nervous system.
The source specifically mentions:
- Barbiturates
- Alcohol
Before taking TRANQIPAM, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all other medicines you use, especially anything that makes you sleepy or affects your alertness.
Food interactions
Not specified in the source.
Medical tests and monitoring
The source recommends periodic blood counts and liver-function tests for patients on long-term treatment. No other specific test interaction is stated.
How to take TRANQIPAM
Take TRANQIPAM exactly as your doctor has prescribed. Do not change your dose on your own.
The source states that the dose should be individualised for the best beneficial effect. This means your doctor will choose the dose that suits your needs and your ability to tolerate the medicine.
Step-by-step use
- Check that you are taking the correct strength: 0,5 mg, 1 mg, or 2,5 mg
- Take the dose in the number of daily portions your doctor prescribed
- Do not take extra tablets to calm yourself more quickly
- Do not mix it with alcohol
- Do not stop suddenly unless your doctor tells you to
- Ask your doctor periodically whether you still need treatment
- Be careful with driving, machinery, and heights until you know how it affects you
Adult dose for anxiety
For anxiety, the average daily dose is 2 mg to 3 mg per day, taken in two to four portions.
The source states that the total daily dose may range from 1 mg to 6 mg per day.
Dose for elderly or debilitated patients
For elderly or debilitated patients, the initial dose is 1 mg or 2 mg per day, taken in two to four portions.
The dose may then be adjusted as needed and tolerated.
Children under 12 years
The dosage for children under 12 years has not been established.
Taking it with food
Not specified in the source.
Missed dose
Not specified in the source.
If you take too much
Taking too much TRANQIPAM can be dangerous.
Overdose symptoms usually involve central nervous system depression. Mild overdose may cause:
- Drowsiness
- Mental confusion
- Lethargy
More serious overdose may cause:
- Poor coordination
- Low blood pressure
- Deep sedation or hypnosis
- Coma
- Respiratory depression
- Cardiovascular depression
- Death
The source states that treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
Warning: If you think you or someone else has taken too much TRANQIPAM, seek urgent medical help immediately.
Dosing table
| Age or patient group | Dose | Frequency | Maximum daily dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults using it for anxiety | Average total daily dose: 2 mg to 3 mg | Divided into 2 to 4 portions | Source states the range may be 1 mg to 6 mg daily |
| Elderly or debilitated patients | Initial total daily dose: 1 mg or 2 mg | Divided into 2 to 4 portions | Not specified in the source |
| Children under 12 years | Dosage not established | Not specified in the source | Not specified in the source |
Note: This table is not a self-dosing guide. Your doctor must decide your dose.
Possible side effects
You may experience side effects while taking TRANQIPAM. Some are mild, but others can be serious.
Because TRANQIPAM affects the brain and nervous system, many of its side effects involve sleepiness, balance, speech, mood, memory, or coordination.
Common side effects
The most frequently reported side effects are:
- Drowsiness
- Over-sedation
If you feel very sleepy, do not drive, operate machinery, or do risky tasks.
Less common side effects
Other side effects that may occur include:
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Unsteadiness
- Confusion
- Lethargy
- Vertigo, which feels like spinning
- Light-headedness
- Mental depression
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty speaking clearly, also called dysarthria
- Changes in libido
- Ataxia, meaning poor coordination
- Tremor
- Urinary retention
- Urinary incontinence
- Changes in salivation
- Jaundice, which may appear as yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Nausea
- Change in appetite
- Headache
- Sleep disturbance
- Agitation
- Skin-related symptoms
- Eye-function disturbance
- Temporary amnesia
- Memory impairment
Some people taking benzodiazepines have developed blood dyscrasias, which means abnormal blood changes. Some have also had raised liver enzymes.
Serious — seek urgent help
Seek urgent medical help if you experience:
- Severe drowsiness
- Breathing problems
- Severe confusion
- Collapse
- Very low blood pressure
- Coma
- Convulsions
- Severe unsteadiness
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Unusual agitation or rage-like behaviour
Respiratory depression and low blood pressure may occur with high doses.
The source also reports paradoxical reactions, such as sudden highly excitable states with rage. “Paradoxical” means the medicine causes an unexpected opposite effect instead of calming you.
Warning: If your mood worsens, you feel unusually agitated, or you have thoughts of self-harm, contact a healthcare professional urgently.
Storage and disposal
Store TRANQIPAM carefully so that it stays safe to use.
Keep it:
- At or below 25 °C
- In a cool, dry place
- In its original packaging until needed
- Out of reach of children
Expiry guidance
Not specified in the source.
Disposal guidance
Not specified in the source. Ask your pharmacist how to safely dispose of tablets you no longer need.
What the medicine contains
TRANQIPAM contains lorazepam as the active ingredient.
Active ingredient
| TRANQIPAM product | Lorazepam per tablet |
|---|---|
| TRANQIPAM – 0,5 | 0,5 mg |
| TRANQIPAM – 1 | 1 mg |
| TRANQIPAM – 2,5 | 2,5 mg |
Other ingredients
The source lists the following excipients:
- Lactose
- Magnesium stearate
- Microcrystalline cellulose
- Polacrilin potassium
Lactose content
| TRANQIPAM product | Lactose content |
|---|---|
| TRANQIPAM – 0,5 | 33,875 mg |
| TRANQIPAM – 1 | 67,50 mg |
| TRANQIPAM – 2,5 | 134,475 mg |
Note: TRANQIPAM contains sugar in the form of lactose. This may matter if you have diabetes mellitus or certain rare hereditary sugar-related conditions.
Pack information and appearance
TRANQIPAM is supplied as tablets in different strengths.
What the tablets look like
| Product | Appearance |
|---|---|
| TRANQIPAM – 0,5 | White, round tablet |
| TRANQIPAM – 1 | Flat, white to off-white, round tablet with bevelled edges, bisected on one side and marked C11 on the other side |
| TRANQIPAM – 2,5 | Flat, white to off-white, round tablet with bevelled edges, bisected on one side and marked C18 on the other side |
Pack sizes
The source lists the following pack information:
- TRANQIPAM – 0,5 may be packed in bottles of 100, 250, 500, or 1 000 tablets
- TRANQIPAM – 0,5 may also be packed in blister strips of 10 tablets, with six or ten blister strips in a carton
- TRANQIPAM – 1 may be packed in bottles of 100 tablets
- TRANQIPAM – 2,5 may be packed in bottles of 100 tablets
Not all strengths, packs, and pack sizes are necessarily marketed.
Practical FAQs
Can I take TRANQIPAM for normal daily stress?
The source says anxiety or tension linked to everyday life does not require treatment with an anxiolytic medicine. If you are struggling with stress, speak to your doctor about the safest and most appropriate support.
Can I drink alcohol while taking TRANQIPAM?
No. TRANQIPAM can increase the effects of alcohol on your brain and nervous system. You may become more sleepy, dizzy, confused, or unsteady.
Can I drive after taking TRANQIPAM?
Do not drive, operate dangerous machinery, or climb dangerous heights until you know that TRANQIPAM does not make you drowsy, dizzy, or impaired.
Can TRANQIPAM make me dependent?
Yes, the source states that TRANQIPAM may lead to dependence. The risk is especially important if it is used continuously or stopped suddenly.
Can I stop taking TRANQIPAM suddenly?
No, unless your doctor tells you to. Sudden stopping may cause withdrawal symptoms, including insomnia, tremor, cramps, vomiting, sweating, and convulsions. TRANQIPAM should be stopped gradually.
Is TRANQIPAM suitable for children?
The dosage for children under 12 years has not been established in the source.
What should I do if I feel very sleepy?
Do not drive or do risky tasks. Speak to your doctor if the drowsiness is severe, unsafe, or does not improve.
Can I take TRANQIPAM while pregnant?
The source states that TRANQIPAM should be used carefully during pregnancy and preferably avoided. Speak to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy.
Can I breastfeed while using TRANQIPAM?
No. The source states that TRANQIPAM should not be given to nursing mothers because there is evidence that it passes into human breast milk.
Does TRANQIPAM contain lactose?
Yes. TRANQIPAM contains lactose. If you have diabetes mellitus or a rare hereditary condition involving galactose, lactase, glucose-galactose malabsorption, or fructose intolerance, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using it.
Sources :
Written by: RxZest Editorial Team
Editorial review: Checked for readability, structure, and source alignment
Based on SAHPRA-approved information
Last updated: [01/05/2026]
