Ativan Lorazepam tablets 1mg

What Is Lorazepam And What Does It Treat?

Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine. It is approved for the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, or sleep difficulty due to anxiety or stress, status epilepticus (continuous seizures), and as a medication given right before anesthesia. However, benzodiazepines can also be used to treat alcohol withdrawal.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) occurs when a person experiences excessive anxiety or worry for at least six months. Other symptoms include:

• Restlessness
• Fatigue (low energy, feeling tired all the time)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Muscle tension
• Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling asleep or waking up in the middle of the night)

What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Lorazepam?

Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you because you may notice that you feel tired or dizzy.

When starting lorazepam, anxiety or insomnia may improve rapidly or over a period of days.

Benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam, are often used for short periods of time only. They may produce emotional and/or physical dependence (addiction) even when used as recommended. Only your healthcare provider can determine the length of treatment that is right for you.

Do not stop taking lorazepam without talking to your healthcare provider first. Stopping lorazepam abruptly may result in one or more of the following withdrawal symptoms: irritability, nausea, tremor, dizziness, blood pressure changes, rapid heart rate, and seizures.

The use of lorazepam with drugs like opioid medications has led to serious side effects including slowed and difficulty breathing and death. Opioid drugs are medications used to treat pain and include medications such as: codeine, oxycodone, morphine, and illegal drugs like heroin. Some opioid medications are also in cough syrup.

If you are taking lorazepam with an opioid medication, get medical assistance immediately if you feel dizziness or sleepiness, if you have slow or troubled breathing, or if you pass out. Caregivers must get medical help right away if a patient does not respond and does not wake up.

Avoid alcohol while taking this medication.

Are There Specific Concerns About Lorazepam And Pregnancy?

If you are planning on becoming pregnant, notify your healthcare provider to best manage your medications. People living with anxiety disorders who wish to become pregnant face important decisions. It is important to discuss this with your doctor and caregivers.
Regarding breastfeeding, caution is advised since lorazepam does pass into breast milk.

What Should I Discuss With My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Lorazepam?

• Symptoms of your condition that bother you the most
• If you have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself
• Medications you have taken in the past for your condition, whether they were effective or caused any adverse effects
• If you experience side effects from your medications, discuss them with your healthcare provider. Some side effects may pass with time, but others may require changes in the medication.
• Any other psychiatric or medical problems you have including obstructive sleep apnea
• All other medications you are currently taking (including over the counter products and herbal and nutritional supplements) and any medication allergies you have
• Other non-medication treatment you are receiving such as talk therapy or substance abuse treatment. Your provider can explain how these different treatments work with the medication.
• If you are elderly or prone to falls
• If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
• If you dring alcohol or use drugs

How Should I Take Lorazepam?

Lorazepam may be taken with or without food. Take with food if you experience an upset stomach.

Lorazepam may be taken every day at regular times or on an as needed (“PRN”) basis. Typically, your healthcare provider will limit the number of doses you should take in one day.

Your healthcare provider will determine the dose and method of taking the medication that is right for you based upon your response.

Lorazepam liquid: Measure with a dosing spoon or oral syringe which you can get from your pharmacy.

If you take the medication every day (instead of ‘as needed’), use a calendar, pillbox, alarm clock, or cell phone alert to help you remember to take it. You may also ask a family member or friend to remind you or check in with you to be sure you are taking your medication.

What Happens If I Miss A Dose Of Lorazepam?

If you miss a dose of lorazepam, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is closer to the time of your next dose. Discuss this with your healthcare provider. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed.

What Should I Avoid While Taking Lorazepam?

Avoid drinking alcohol and using illegal drugs while you are taking lorazepam. They may decrease the benefits (e.g., worsen your condition) and increase the adverse effects (e.g., sedation) of the medication. Alcohol increases the risk of accidental overdose with medications like lorazepam.

What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Lorazepam?

Common side effects

• Feeling dizzy, drowsy, fatigued, or lightheaded
• Impaired coordination, decreased ability to concentrate

If you experience these side effects after starting lorazepam they will often improve over the first week or two as you continue to take the medication.
Rare/serious side effects

• Shortness of breath, trouble speaking, feeling very tired, dizziness, or passing out.
• Increased heart rate, headache, memory impairment, irritability, restlessness
• Some people taking benzodiazepines develop a severe allergic reaction and swelling of the face. This can occur as early as with the first dose.
• Some people taking benzodiazepines for sleep have experienced various behaviors while they were asleep/not fully awake, such as sleep driving, making phone calls, and preparing or eating food. The individuals have no memory of the events when they awaken.
• Signs of feeling depressed or low mood, thoughts of harming or killing yourself, or lack of interest in life.

Are There Any Risks For Taking Lorazepam For Long Periods Of Time?

Lorazepam is a safe and effective medication when used as directed. Benzodiazepines may produce emotional and/or physical dependence (addiction) even when used as recommended. Physical dependence may develop after 2 or more weeks of daily use.

What Other Medications May Interact With Lorazepam?

Lorazepam should not be taken with other benzodiazepine medications.
Lorazepam causes drowsiness, so caution should be used when combining it with other medications that cause drowsiness. These could include:

• Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl^®)
• Narcotic pain medication such as morphine, oxycodone (OxyContin^®), and hydrocodone (Vicodin^®and Lortab^®)
• Opioid cough medications such as codeine cough syrup
• Sleeping medications such as zolpidem (Ambien^®)
• Other anti-anxiety medications, antipsychotic medications, certain anticonvulsant medications, and tricyclic antidepressant medications (such as amitriptyline)

How Long Does It Take For Lorazepam To Work?

When starting lorazepam, anxiety or insomnia may improve rapidly or over a period of days or within hours of the first dose of medication.

Summary of Black Box Warnings

The FDA has found that benzodiazepine drugs, such as lorazepam, when used in combination with opioid medications or other sedating medications can result in serious adverse reactions including slowed or difficult breathing and death. Patients taking opioids with benzodiazepines, other sedating medications, or alcohol, and caregivers of these patients, should seek immediate medical attention if that start to experience unusual dizziness or lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slow or difficulty breathing, or unresponsiveness.