Ativan Uses
Ativan (lorazepam) is a tranquilizer medication that is generally used for short term anti anxiety treatment. It belongs to Benzodiazepines family of anxiety drugs. This medication is also used to treat conditions of insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, tension, vomiting and nausea due to alcohol withdrawal, acute seizures and also various bipolar disorder symptoms.
Ativan acts as a depressant on the patient’s central nervous system. They act by enhancing the effect of GABA, a neurotransmitter to the brain, thus reducing the activity of the brain. Doctors usually prescribe 1 mg tablet to be taken three times a day. The dosage may be increased depending on the condition of the patient. Elderly people are generally advised to take a lesser dosage. In case of insomnia, doctors prescribe a higher dose.
Ativan Side Effects
Ativan do not have many side effects and hence is popularly used. The side effects that may arise while taking the drug are drowsiness, dizziness, unsteadiness, stomachache, slurred speech, sweating, poor appetite, etc. These symptoms occur in the 1st week of the treatment. They usually subside with time. In any case, if any undesired consequence arises like hallucinations, seizures, low blood pressure after taking the drug, contact your doctor immediately. It is easily removed from the blood and hence there are very less chances for concentration of the drug in your blood.
Ativan Precautions
If you have been on this medication for more than a month, you should not stop taking them all of a sudden. Discuss with your doctor and stop them slowly. Various withdrawal symptoms associated with the drug are ringing in the ears, muscle cramps, insomnia, sweating, diarrhea, mood depressions, etc.
Long-term usage of Ativan is not recommended due to the rapid development of drug tolerance and drug dependency. For treatment of everyday life stress, do not go for this medication. This drug gives a feeling of well being and euphoria as it contains high potency benzodiazepine. Hence, it can be addictive and it is often abused by patients. You should not combine Avitan with alcohol.
An overdose of the drug may lead to symptoms like sedation, speech problems, breathing difficulty, confusion and even loss of life.