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Ativan (lorazepam) belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. Ativan affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with anxiety.
Ativan is used to treat anxiety disorders.
Ativan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not use Ativan if you have narrow-angle glaucoma or myasthenia gravis, or if you are allergic to similar medicines (including alprazolam or Xanax, clonazepam or Klonopin, diazepam or Valium, and others).
Do not use lorazepam if you are pregnant. This medicine can cause birth defects or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in a newborn.
Lorazepam may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Misuse of habit-forming medicine can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Ativan should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Do not drink alcohol while taking Ativan. Lorazepam can increase the effects of alcohol.
It is dangerous to purchase Ativan on the Internet or from vendors outside the United States. Medications distributed from Internet sales may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy. The sale and distribution of Ativan outside the U.S. does not comply with the regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the safe use of this medication.
You should not take Ativan if you have:
narrow-angle glaucoma;
myasthenia gravis; or
a history of allergic reaction to any benzodiazepine (such as alprazolam or Xanax, clonazepam or Klonopin, diazepam or Valium, and others).
To make sure Ativan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
seizures or epilepsy;
kidney or liver disease (especially alcoholic liver disease);
asthma or other breathing disorder;
open-angle glaucoma;
a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior (Ativan may make these symptoms worse);
a history of drug or alcohol addiction; or
if you use a narcotic (opioid) medication.
Do not use Ativan if you are pregnant. This medicine can cause birth defects. Your baby could also become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are taking Ativan.
Lorazepam can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Ativan.
Ativan is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
The sedative effects of lorazepam may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are taking Ativan.
Take Ativan exactly as it was prescribed for you. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Never use Ativan in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your symptoms.
Lorazepam may be habit-forming. Never share Ativan with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.
Misuse of habit-forming medicine can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Selling or giving away Ativan is against the law.
Ativan should be used for only a short time. Do not take this medicine for longer than your doctor recommends.
Do not stop using Ativan suddenly or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, including a seizure (convulsions). Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.
Call your doctor if this medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your anxiety symptoms.
Store Ativan at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Lorazepam is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of lorazepam can be fatal. Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination, feeling light-headed, and fainting.
Avoid drinking alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.
Ativan may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls or other accidents.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Ativan: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
severe drowsiness;
thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
unusual changes in mood or behavior;
confusion, aggression, hallucinations;
worsening sleep problems;
sudden restless feeling or excitement;
muscle weakness, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, or trouble swallowing;
vision changes; or
upper stomach pain, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common Ativan side effects may include:
dizziness, drowsiness;
weakness;
slurred speech, lack of balance or coordination;
memory problems; or
feeling unsteady.
Side effects, especially drowsiness and unsteadiness, tend to worsen with increasing age.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Usual Adult Dose of Ativan for Anxiety:
Tablets:
Initial dose: 2 to 3 mg orally per day administered 2 to 3 times per day
Maintenance dose: 1 to 2 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day
Parenteral:
IV: 2 mg total, or 0.044 mg/kg, whichever is smaller
Comments:
-The daily dosage may vary from 1 to 10 mg per day.
-The dosage should be increased gradually when needed to help avoid adverse effects.
-When higher dosage is indicated, the evening dose should be increased before the daytime doses.
Use: Management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety or anxiety associated with depressive symptoms
Usual Adult Dose for Light Anesthesia:
IM: 0.05 mg/kg up to a maximum of 4 mg
IV: 2 mg total, or 0.044 mg/kg, whichever is smaller
Comments:
-Doses of other injectable central-nervous-system depressant drugs should be reduced.
-For optimum effect, intramuscular drug should be administered at least 2 hours before the anticipated operative procedure.
-Narcotic analgesics should be administered at their usual preoperative time.
-IV: This dose should not ordinarily be exceeded in patients over 50 years of age.
-IV: Larger doses as high as 0.05 mg/kg up to a total of 4 mg may be administered.
-For optimum effect, intravenous drug should be administered 15 to 20 minutes before the anticipated operative procedure.
Use:
-Preanesthetic medication for adult patients, producing sedation (sleepiness or drowsiness), relief of anxiety, and a decreased ability to recall events related to the day of surgery
Usual Adult Dose for Status Epilepticus:
0.1 mg/kg IV up to 4 mg per dose; may repeat in 5 to 10 minutes
Maximum dose: 8 mg
Comments:
-Vital signs should be monitored, an unobstructed airway should be maintained, and artificial ventilation equipment should be available.
-When an intravenous port is not available, the IM route may prove useful.
Use: Treatment of status epilepticus
Usual Adult Dose for Insomnia:
2 to 4 mg orally administered at bedtime
Comments:
-The dosage should be increased gradually when needed to help avoid adverse effects.
Use: Management of insomnia
Usual Geriatric Dose for Anxiety:
Elderly or debilitated patients:
1 to 2 mg orally per day in divided doses
Comments:
-The dosage should be increased gradually when needed to help avoid adverse effects.
Use: Management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety or anxiety associated with depressive symptoms
Usual Pediatric Dose for Anxiety:
12 years or older:
Initial dose: 2 to 3 mg orally per day administered 2 to 3 times per day
Maintenance dose: 1 to 2 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day
Comments:
-The daily dosage may vary from 1 to 10 mg per day.
-The dosage should be increased gradually when needed to help avoid adverse effects.
-When higher dosage is indicated, the evening dose should be increased before the daytime doses.
Use: Management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety or anxiety associated with depressive symptoms
Usual Pediatric Dose for Insomnia:
12 years or older:
2 to 4 mg orally administered at bedtime
Comments:
-For elderly or debilitated patients, an initial dosage of 1 to 2 mg/day in divided doses is recommended.
-The dosage should be increased gradually when needed to help avoid adverse effects.
Use: Management of insomnia
Taking Ativan with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before taking Ativan with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, prescription cough medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression or seizures.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
any other medicines to treat anxiety;
probenecid;
aminophylline or theophylline;
an antidepressant, or medicine to treat mental illness;
a barbiturate such as phenobarbital;
narcotic pain medicine;
seizure medicine; or
medicine that contains an antihistamine (such as sleep medicine, cold or allergy medicine).
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with lorazepam, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Ativan only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Ativan (www.drugs.com/ativan.html).
Note: This document contains side effect information about lorazepam. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Ativan.
Common side effects of Ativan include: sedated state. Other side effects include: dizziness. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to lorazepam: oral solution, oral tablet
Other dosage forms:
Oral route (Tablet)
Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve use where alternative treatments are inadequate. Limit the dosage and duration, and monitor signs and symptoms.
Along with its needed effects, lorazepam (the active ingredient contained in Ativan) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking lorazepam:
More common
Incidence not known
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking lorazepam:
Symptoms of overdose
Some side effects of lorazepam may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
Applies to lorazepam: compounding powder, injectable solution, intravenous solution, oral concentrate, oral tablet
Oral: The most commonly reported side effects included sedation, dizziness, weakness, and unsteadiness.
Parenteral: The most commonly reported side effects included somnolence, respiratory failure, hypotension, and injection site reactions (pain and burning).
Parenteral:
Very common (10% or more): Burning (up to 17%), pain (up to 17%)
Common (1% to 10%): Painful response, redness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site reaction
Frequency not reported: Arteriospasm, gangrene, injection site tolerance
Oral:
Very common (10% or more): Sedation (up to 15.9%)
Common (1% to 10%): Anterograde amnesia, ataxia, daytime drowsiness, dizziness, unsteadiness
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Dysarthria, headache, memory impairment, reduced alertness, slurred speech, transient anterograde amnesia
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Coma, extrapyramidal reactions, tremor
Frequency not reported: Amnesia, autonomic manifestations, convulsions/seizures, drowsiness, extremity numbness/tingling, hyperreflexia, hypersensitivity to light/noise/sound, involuntary movements, short-term memory loss, vertigo
Parenteral:
Common (1% to 10%): Coma, excessive drowsiness/sleepiness, headache, sedation, somnolence, stupor
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Brain edema, convulsion, myoclonus, tremor
Frequency not reported: Dizziness
Postmarketing reports: Amnesia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, paralysis
Oral:
Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, fatigue, weakness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chills
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hypothermia
Frequency not reported: Hyperacusis, hyperthermia, paradoxical reactions, rebound phenomena
Parenteral:
Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, crying, fatigue, sobbing
Frequency not reported: Depressed hearing, falls, hypothermia, paradoxical reactions, tinnitus
Postmarketing reports: Fatalities
Oral:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Change in libido, confusion, decreased orgasm, depression, disinhibition, euphoria, numbed emotions, sleep disturbances, unmasking of depression
Frequency not reported: Aggression, aggressiveness, agitation, anxiety, catatonia, dependence, delirium, delusion, disorientation, drug withdrawal symptoms, excitation, hallucinations, hostility, impotence, inappropriate behavior, irritability, insomnia, nightmares, panic attacks, psychoses, rage, restlessness, sexual arousal, suicidal attempt/ideation, tension
Parenteral:
Common (1% to 10%): Confusion, delirium, depression, restlessness, unmasking of depression, visual hallucinations
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal thinking, agitation, ataxia, change in libido, decreased orgasm, hallucinations
Frequency not reported: Aggression, agitation, anxiety, disinhibition, excitation, euphoria, hostility, inappropriate behavior, insomnia, irritability, mania, psychosis, rage, sexual arousal, sleep disturbances, stimulation, suicidal attempt/ideation
Postmarketing reports: Acute brain syndrome, nervousness
Oral:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Apnea, respiratory depression, worsening of obstructive pulmonary disease, worsening of sleep apnea
Parenteral:
Common (1% to 10%): Apnea, hypoventilation, respiratory disorder, respiratory failure
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyperventilation
Frequency not reported: Airway obstruction
Postmarketing reports: Lung edema, lung hemorrhage, pneumothorax, pulmonary hypertension, respiratory arrest
Oral:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hypotension
Frequency not reported: Palpitations, small decreases in blood pressure
Parenteral:
Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension
Postmarketing reports: Arrhythmia, bradycardia, heart arrest/failure, heart block, pericardial effusion, tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmia
Oral:
Frequency not reported: Muscle pain
Parenteral:
Common (1% to 10%): Muscle weakness
Oral:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Constipation, nausea, salivation changes
Frequency not reported: Abdominal cramps, dry mouth, gastrointestinal symptoms, hypersalivation, vomiting
Parenteral:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased salivation, nausea, vomiting
Frequency not reported: Constipation
Postmarketing reports: Gastrointestinal hemorrhage
Oral:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Change in appetite, increase in alkaline phosphatase
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hyponatremia
Frequency not reported: Loss of appetite
Parenteral:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Acidosis, increased alkaline phosphatase
Frequency not reported: Hyponatremia
Oral:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Allergic dermatitis, rash
Frequency not reported: Allergic skin reactions, alopecia, dermatological symptoms, sweating
Parenteral:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypertension, hypotension
Frequency not reported: Allergic skin reactions, alopecia, skin rash
Oral:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Abnormal liver function test values, increase in bilirubin, increase in liver transaminases, jaundice
Parenteral:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal liver function tests
Postmarketing reports: Liver damage
Oral:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Impotence
Parenteral:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Impotence
Postmarketing reports: Urinary incontinence
Parenteral:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): infection
Parenteral:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cystitis
Oral:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Blurred vision, diplopia, eye function/visual disturbance
Parenteral:
Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, diplopia
Oral:
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Agranulocytosis, leukopenia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia
Parenteral:
Frequency not reported: Agranulocytosis, hypochromic anemia, leukocytosis, pancytopenia, thrombocythemia, thrombocytopenia
Postmarketing reports: Coagulation disorder
Oral:
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Anaphylactoid reactions, anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity
Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reactions
Parenteral:
Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reactions, anaphylactoid reactions, angioedema, hypersensitivity reactions
Oral:
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)
Parenteral:
Frequency not reported: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)
Postmarketing reports: Aggravation of pheochromocytoma
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Ativan (www.drugs.com/ativan.html).
March 23, 2020
March 24, 2020
March 5, 2020
March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020
March 28, 2020
