Many seniors are more likely to experience side effects such as drowsiness or dizziness. This can increase their risk of falls, which can lead to bone fractures. Lower dosages are often needed for seniors. Ativan is FDA-approved for short-term use, up to four months. Long-term use of Ativan should be avoided because it can cause serious side effects. These include:. Ativan can impair your ability to drive. This side effect may go away with continued use of the drug. Some people who take Ativan report having headaches afterward.
Ativan can cause your breathing to slow down. In rare cases, this can lead to respiratory failure. However, weight changes may still occur. Some people who take Ativan say they have a bigger appetite. This might cause them to eat more and gain weight.
And other people who take it have a reduced appetite. This might cause them to eat less and lose weight. Some people who take Ativan can have temporary memory loss. If this happens, you may have trouble remembering things that occurred while you were taking the medication. People with vertigo often feel dizzy.
If you have this side effect, talk with your doctor about alternatives to Ativan. 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. 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. Intravenous IV Ativan will be given by your doctor or nurse.
Your doctor will determine the best dosage for your condition. 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. Ativan is approved to treat several conditions. Ativan is FDA-approved for the short-term treatment of anxiety symptoms.
Ativan is also used off-label for other types of insomnia. 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 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. However, some people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety or insomnia.
In these cases, your doctor may prescribe Ativan to reduce those symptoms. 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. This is due to the risk of life-threatening side effects such as serious sedation, decreased breathing, coma, and death.
Consuming alcohol with Ativan can increase the risk of serious side effects such as:. Ativan can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements and foods. Different interactions can cause different effects.
For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects. Below is a list of medications that can interact with Ativan. Before taking Ativan, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Taking opioids with Ativan can cause dangerous side effects. These include excessive drowsiness, breathing problems, respiratory failure, and coma. Taking sedative drugs with Ativan can cause excessive drowsiness and breathing problems.
Examples of sedative drugs include:. Taking Ativan with probenecid, a drug that can be used to treat gout, can increase the levels of Ativan in your body. This can increase your risk of Ativan side effects. For people who take probenecid and Ativan together, the Ativan dosage needs to be reduced by half. Taking Ativan with valproic acid Depakene, Depakote , a drug used to treat seizures and other conditions, can increase the levels of Ativan in your body. For people who take valproic acid and Ativan together, the Ativan dosage needs to be reduced by half.
Zoloft sertraline can make some people feel tired or drowsy. Ativan can also cause drowsiness. Taking these medications together may cause you to feel even more tired or drowsy. Both medications are used to help promote sleep. If taken together, they can cause excessive sleepiness and sedation. Taking this combination of medications can also increase the risk of odd behaviors such as sleep-driving trying to drive while asleep. Taking Ativan with herbs or supplements that have sedative effects can cause excessive drowsiness and breathing problems.
Examples of sedative herbs and supplements that can cause these effects include:. Using marijuana with Ativan can cause excessive drowsiness or sedation. Some people can have bothersome withdrawal symptoms after stopping Ativan. These can occur after taking Ativan for as little as one week. If Ativan is taken longer, withdrawal symptoms are more likely to occur.
Talk with your doctor before stopping Ativan. Your doctor may recommend that you slowly reduce your dosage before stopping the drug completely. If you think you or your child has taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or seek guidance from the American Association of Poison Control Centers at or through their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
There are other medications that are often used to treat the same conditions as Ativan. Some may be better suited for you than others. Note: Some of the drugs listed here are used off-label for treating conditions also treated by Ativan. Some people use certain herbs and dietary supplements to help manage their anxiety. Examples include:. You may wonder how Ativan compares to other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Lorazepam is a safe and effective medication when used as directed.
Physical dependence may develop after 2 or more weeks of daily use. The risk of withdrawal reactions when stopping therapy with lorazepam is increased with prolonged use of the medication.
Lorazepam causes drowsiness, so caution should be used when combining it with other medications that cause drowsiness. These could include:. When starting lorazepam, anxiety or insomnia may improve rapidly or over a period of days or within hours of the first dose of medication.
The FDA has found that benzodiazepine drugs, such as lorazepam, when used in combination with opioid medications or other sedating medications can result in serious adverse reactions including slowed or difficult breathing and death.
Patients taking opioids with benzodiazepines, other sedating medications, or alcohol, and caregivers of these patients, should seek immediate medical attention if that start to experience unusual dizziness or lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slow or difficulty breathing, or unresponsiveness.
As a benzodiazepine, lorazepam comes with the risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction to the medication. Physical dependence to lorazepam can occur with prolonged use of the medication.
A withdrawal reaction may occur when stopping lorazepam, but this risk can be reduced by slowly reducing the dose of lorazepam when stopping. Do not stop taking lorazepam abruptly, and do not make any changes to therapy without consulting your health care provider. Last Updated: January This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists.
This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions.
Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein. The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists disclaims any and all liability alleged as a result of the information provided herein. Search Close Menu. Sign In About Mental Illness. About Mental Illness Treatments. About Mental Illness Research. Your Journey Individuals with Mental Illness.
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Any questions or concerns you may have about your prescription should be addressed with your doctor or pharmacist. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Lorazepram Avitan. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Updated January National Library of Medicine. Revised May 15, Food and Drug Administration. Published January Mental Health Medications. National Institute of Mental Health. Revised October Your Privacy Rights.
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