What is Ativan ?

Ativan (lorazepam) belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). It is thought that lorazepam works by enhancing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Ativan is a prescription medicine used to treat anxiety disorders. Ativan 2 mg Tablet is used in the treatment of short term anxiety. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Ativan 2 mg Tablet is a benzodiazepine. Ativan 2 mg Tablet may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol This medication is used to treat anxiety. Lorazepam belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines which act on the brain and nerves (central nervous system) to produce a calming effect. This drug works by enhancing the effects of a certain natural chemical in the body (GABA).

It is dangerous to purchase Ativan on the Internet or outside the United States. The sale and distribution of medicines outside the U.S. does not comply with safe-use regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These medications may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy. Ativan is quick-acting. When taking orally, most people start to feel the effects in 20 to 30 minutes. Ativan is effective within one to three minutes when given intravenously.

Overall, lorazepam is generally thought to be a weaker benzodiazepine than Xanax — though dosage amounts, timing, and a patient’s own unique brain chemistry must always be considered. Ativan overdose is possible, and treatment may be necessary.

Ativan 1mg

Ativan is the brand name of Lorazepam that belongs in the benzodiazepines drug category. This medicine is mainly used to treat anxiety issues and panic attacks. It is available in different mg and it starts from 1 to 10. Ativan 1 mg is the lowest dose of Ativan, which is mainly prescribed when a patient is in the primary stage of anxiety disorder.

Ativan 2 mg

Ativan 2 mg is used to generalize the anxiety disorder. This is a popular medicine, that is only available with a prescription, especially in the USA. It is illegal to buy or sell this medicine without a prescription. If a person is caught with Ativan without any legal proof then he/she may punish with some penalty charge.

Though it helps many people, this medication may sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Do not suddenly stop using this drug without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is abruptly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

When this medication is used for a long time, it may not work as well. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.

Side Effects

Drowsiness, dizziness, loss of coordination, headache, nausea, blurred vision, change in sexual interest/ability, constipation, heartburn, or change in appetite may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any unlikely but serious side effects, including: mental/mood changes (such as hallucinations, depression, thoughts of suicide), trouble speaking, vision changes, unusual weakness, trouble walking, memory problems, signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat).

Get medical help right away if you have any rare but very serious side effects, including: yellowing eyes or skin, seizures, slow/shallow breathing.

This medication can rarely have the opposite of its usual calming effect. Symptoms of this opposite effect may include agitation, irritability, violent behavior, confusion, restlessness, excitement, and talking more than normal. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any of these effects.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

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.

Lorazepam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe drowsiness;

unusual changes in mood or behavior, being agitated or talkative;

sudden restless feeling or excitement;

thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;

confusion, aggression, hallucinations;

sleep problems;

vision changes; or

dark urine, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Drowsiness or dizziness may last longer in older adults. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury.

Common Ativan side effects may include:

dizziness, drowsiness;

weakness; or

feeling unsteady.

After you stop using Ativan, get medical help right away if you have symptoms such as: unusual muscle movements, being more active or talkative, sudden and severe changes in mood or behavior, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, suicidal thoughts or actions.

Some withdrawal symptoms may last up to 12 months or longer after stopping this medicine suddenly. Tell your doctor if you have ongoing anxiety, depression, problems with memory or thinking, trouble sleeping, ringing in your ears, a burning or prickly feeling, or a crawling sensation under your skin.

How should I take Ativan?

Take Ativan exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Never use Ativan in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of this medicine.

Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

Do not stop using Ativan without asking your doctor. You may have life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if you stop using the medicine suddenly after long-term use.

Store in tightly closed container at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Keep your medicine in a place where no one can use it improperly.

Ativan (lorazepam) is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety or anxiety associated with depressive symptoms. Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic.

The effectiveness of Ativan (lorazepam) in long-term use, that is, more than 4 months, has not been assessed by systematic clinical studies. The physician should periodically reassess the usefulness of the drug for the individual patient.

Dosing information

The Ativan dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

the type and severity of the condition you’re using Ativan to treat

your age

the form of Ativan you take

other medical conditions you may have

Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the dosage that’s right for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs.

Drug forms and strengths

Ativan comes as oral tablets and a solution that’s given by intramuscular (IM) injection or intravenous (IV) injection. The available strengths of each form are described below.

Ativan tablet strengths: 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg

Ativan tablets come in the following strengths:

0.5 milligrams (mg)

1 mg

2 mg

Ativan solution strengths: 2 mg/mL and 4 mg/mL

Ativan solution comes in the following strengths:

2 mg of drug per milliliter (mL) of solution

4 mg/mL

General dosage information for Ativan tablets

The usual oral dosage for Ativan tablets is 2 to 6 mg daily. This dosage amount is usually divided and taken two or three times daily.

Dosage of Ativan tablets for anxiety

Typical dosage: 2 to 3 mg taken two or three times daily.

Dosage of Ativan tablets for insomnia due to anxiety or stress

Typical dosage: 2 to 4 mg at bedtime.

Dosage of Ativan solution for IM or IV injection

Ativan solution will be given as an IV or IM injection by your healthcare professional. Your doctor will determine the best dosage for your condition.

Special dosage considerations

Older adults and people with certain physical conditions may need to start with a lower dosage. This might be 1 to 2 mg, taken two or three times daily for anxiety or once at bedtime for insomnia.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. However, if it’s just a few hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one on schedule

Never try to catch up by taking two doses at a time. This can cause dangerous side effects.

Ativan uses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves drugs to treat certain conditions. Ativan is approved to treat several conditions. In addition, it’s sometimes used off-label for purposes that aren’t approved by the FDA.

Approved uses for Ativan

Ativan is FDA-approved for treating several different conditions. These conditions are described below.

Ativan for anxiety

Ativan is FDA-approved for managing anxiety disorders, including the short-term treatment of anxiety symptoms.

It’s also commonly used off-label for treating panic attacks. (With off-label use, a drug is prescribed for a condition other than those it’s approved to treat.)

Ativan for sleep or insomnia

Ativan is FDA-approved for short-term treatment of insomnia (trouble sleeping) that’s caused by anxiety or stress.

Ativan is also used off-label for other types of insomnia. However, according to the American Academy of Sleep MedicineTrusted Source, it’s not a first-choice medication for this use.

Ativan for seizures

The liquid form of Ativan is FDA-approved for treating a severe type of seizure called status epilepticus. With this condition, seizures don’t stop, or one seizure comes after another without allowing the person time to recover.

Ativan for sedation during surgery

The liquid form of Ativan is FDA-approved to cause sleep before surgery.

Non-FDA-approved uses

Ativan is also sometimes prescribed off-label. Off-label use is when a drug is approved for one use but is prescribed for a different use.

Ativan for nausea from vertigo

Ativan is sometimes used off-label for the short-term treatment of symptoms of vertigo. These symptoms include nausea and vomiting. In some cases, Ativan may be used along with other medications for this purpose.

Ativan for depression

Ativan and other similar medications aren’t prescribed to treat depression itself. However, some people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety or insomnia. In these cases, your doctor may prescribe Ativan to reduce those symptoms.

If you have depression only, your doctor will likely prescribe a different medication.

Ativan for pain

Ativan isn’t typically used to treat pain itself. However, people who have severe, long-lasting pain are often prescribed Ativan or similar medications. This may be because they have anxiety or trouble sleeping due to their pain.

People with severe pain are often treated with opioid pain medications. Ativan and other benzodiazepine medications shouldn’t be used with opioids. This is due to the risk of life threatening side effects such as serious sedation, decreased breathing, coma, and death.

If you’re taking an opioid pain medication with Ativan, talk with your doctor about safer options.

Ativan for migraine

Ativan is not approved to treat symptoms of migraine, such as headache. But it may be prescribed off-label for migraine headaches in some cases. (With off-label use, a drug is prescribed for a condition other than those it’s approved to treat.)

Also, keep in mind that headache is a possible side effect of this drug.

Other off-label uses for Ativan

Ativan may also be used off-label to treat other conditions such as:

agitation

alcohol withdrawal

nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy

anxiety when flying