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Ativan Patient Education - Epocrates Online Ativan
lorazepam
Patient Education
Generic Name: lorazepam (oral)
Pronounced: lor A ze pam
Brand Name: Ativan
What is the most important information I should know about lorazepam?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to lorazepam or to other benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), oroxazepam (Serax).
This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use lorazepam if you are Before taking lorazepam, tell your doctor if you have any breathing problems, glaucoma, kidney orliver disease, or a history of depression, suicidal thoughts, or addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Do not drink alcohol while taking lorazepam. This medication can increase the effects of Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy. They can add to sleepiness caused by lorazepam.
Lorazepam may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for.
Lorazepam should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history ofdrug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
It is dangerous to try and purchase lorazepam on the Internet or from vendors outside of the UnitedStates. Medications distributed from Internet sales may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not bedistributed by a licensed pharmacy. Samples of lorazepam purchased on the Internet have been foundto contain haloperidol (Haldol), a potent antipsychotic drug with dangerous side effects. For moreinformation, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or visitwww.fda.gov/buyonlineguide.
What is lorazepam?
https://online.epocrates.com/noFrame/monographPrintAction.do Ativan Patient Education - Epocrates Online Lorazepam is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). Lorazepamaffects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.
Lorazepam is used to treat anxiety disorders.
Lorazepam may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lorazepam?
It is dangerous to try and purchase lorazepam on the Internet or from vendors outside of the UnitedStates. Medications distributed from Internet sales may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not bedistributed by a licensed pharmacy. Samples of lorazepam purchased on the Internet have been foundto contain haloperidol (Haldol), a potent antipsychotic drug with dangerous side effects. For moreinformation, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or visitwww.fda.gov/buyonlineguide.
Do not use this medication if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, or if you are allergic to lorazepam or to other benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium),clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), or oxazepam (Serax).
Before taking lorazepam, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have: asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathingproblems; a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior; or a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely takethis medication.
FDA pregnancy category D. Lorazepam can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use lorazepam without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you becomepregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using thismedication.
It is not known whether lorazepam passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
The sedative effects of lorazepam may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common inelderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while youare taking lorazepam.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 12 years old.
How should I take lorazepam?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in largeramounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on yourprescription label.
https://online.epocrates.com/noFrame/monographPrintAction.do Ativan Patient Education - Epocrates Online Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from thismedication.
Measure the liquid form of lorazepam with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular tablespoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Lorazepam should be used for only a short time. Do not take this medication for longer than 4 months without your doctor's advice.
Lorazepam may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for.
Lorazepam should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history ofdrug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Contact your doctor if this medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your symptoms.
Do not stop using lorazepam suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
Your symptoms may return when you stop using lorazepam after using it over a long period of time.
You may also have seizures or withdrawal symptoms when you stop using lorazepam. Withdrawalsymptoms may include tremor, sweating, muscle cramps, stomach pain, vomiting, unusual thoughtsor behavior, and seizure (convulsions).
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your doctor may need to check yourprogress on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Store lorazepam at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Store the liquid form of lorazepam in the refrigerator.
Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine.
Benzodiazepines are drugs of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is usingthis medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip themissed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicineto make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of lorazepam can be fatal. Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, muscle weakness, fainting, orcoma.
What should I avoid while taking lorazepam?
https://online.epocrates.com/noFrame/monographPrintAction.do Ativan Patient Education - Epocrates Online Do not drink alcohol while taking lorazepam. This medication can increase the effects of Lorazepam can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by lorazepam. Tell your doctor if youregularly use any of these other medicines.
What are the possible side effects of lorazepam?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: confusion, depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself; muscle weakness, lack of balance or coordination; amnesia or forgetfulness, trouble concentrating; This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusualor bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect lorazepam?
Before taking lorazepam, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral),secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect),selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate); https://online.epocrates.com/noFrame/monographPrintAction.do Ativan Patient Education - Epocrates Online medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol),mesoridazine (Serentil), pimozide (Orap), or thioridazine (Mellaril); narcotic medications such as butorphanol (Stadol), codeine, hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin),levorphanol (Levo-Dromoran), meperidine (Demerol), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose),morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph), naloxone (Narcan), oxycodone (OxyContin),propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet); or antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), amoxapine (Asendin), citalopram (Celexa),clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), escitalopram (Lexapro),fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline(Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), protriptyline (Vivactil), sertraline (Zoloft), or trimipramine(Surmontil).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with lorazepam. Tell yourdoctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins,minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medicationwithout telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about lorazepam.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicineswith others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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