Lorazepam (Alzapam, Ativan, Loraz, Intensol)
Lorazepam is an anti-anxiety agent (benzodiazepines, tranquilizer) used for the relief of anxiety, agitation, irritability, to relieve insomnia, and intravenously as a sedative for severe nervous tension or prior to surgery to relief the anxiety.
It is often used as a regular medicine for the acutre phase of anxiety or panic reducing to ‘as required’ as recovery proceeds.
It has less of an effect on the liver then other benzodiazepines, making it better suited if you are taking birth control pills, anti-abuse drugs, propranolol, ulcer medications, or any other drug that effects the liver.
Ativan may also be used to help in the prevention of severe alcohol withdraw symptoms (Delirium Tremens, DTs ) to treat serial seizures in children by placing it under the tongue, to promote amnesia, or in patients who are undergoing chemotherapy and have severe vomiting.
Benefits Seen
In first few doses.
If Stop Taking
Do not stop without consulting your doctor and never abruptly if been taken for four or more weeks. It wil need to be weaned off.
Overdose symptoms include
Confusion, loss of consciousness, or sleepiness.
Warnings
- Narcotics may increase the sedative effects of this drug. Do not take other sedative, benzodiazepines, or sleeping pills with this drug. The combinations could be fatal.
- Do not drink alcohol when taking benzodiazepine. Alcohol can lower blood pressure and decrease your breathing rate to the point of unconsciousness.
- The habit-forming potential is high.
- Do not stop taking this drug abruptly, this could cause psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms.
- Do not take this drug if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
- Do not take this drug if you are breast-feeding.
- Do not give this drug to children and only in small doses if over sixty.
Do not use if
- You had negative reactions to other benzodiazepine.
- If you have a history of drug dependence.
- If you have had a stroke.
- If you have multiple sclerosis.
- If you have Alzheimer’s disease.
- If you are seriously depressed.
- If you have other brain disorders.
Symptoms or Side Effects
Common
- Clumsiness
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Unsteadiness
- Weakness
Rare
- Abdominal cramps
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Convulsions
- Dis-inhibition
- Dry mouth
- Forgetfulness
- Hallucinations
- Headache
- Memory loss
- Racing heartbeat
- Palpitations
- Shaking
- Slurred speech
- Sore breast/milk secretion
- Staggering
- Trembling
- Trouble breathing
- Irregular menstruation’s
- Urination problems
See doctor always
- Abdominal cramps
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Convulsions
- Dis-inhibition
- Dry mouth
- Forgetfulness
- Hallucinations
- Headache
- Memory loss
- Racing heartbeat
- Palpitations
- Shaking
- Slurred speech
- Sore breast/milk secretion
- Staggering
- Trembling
- Trouble breathing
- Irregular menstruation’s
- Urination problems
See doctor if severe
- Clumsiness
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Unsteadiness
- Weakness
See doctor NOW
- Convulsions
- Hallucinations
- Memory loss
- Trouble breathing
- Staggering
- Trembling
