Lorazepam
Trade Name:
Ativan
Type of Drug:
Lorazepam belongs to a general class of antianxiety drugs called benzodiazepines.
How Drug Works:
Lorazepam binds to certain receptors in the brain and spinal cord to bring about reduced anxiety, cause muscle relaxation, and prevent seizures. Lorazepam may also be used to prevent nausea and vomiting following chemotherapy. Lorazepam causes amnesia (difficulty remembering an event).
How Drug Is Given:
Lorazepam can be taken as a pill by mouth or under the tongue, or as an injection under the skin or in a muscle. The dose depends on the reason you are taking it and how well it works. Keep the medicine in a tightly closed container away from heat and moisture and out of the reach of children and pets.
How Should I Take This Drug?
Take this drug exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or nurse to explain them to you.
Read the following information. If you do not understand it or if any of it causes you special concern, check with your doctor.
Before taking this drug, tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and herbals.
Should I avoid any other medicines, foods, alcohol, and/or activities?
Your prescription and nonprescription medicines may interact with other drugs, causing harm. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medicine"prescription or nonprescription"without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, food, or other medicines. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and affect activities such as driving.
Precautions:
Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs as they may have serious interactions with lorazepam: oral contraceptives, isoniazid (INH), ketoconazole, cimetidine, digoxin, levodopa, or a tricyclic antidepressant drug.
You should not take this drug if you have acute angle closure glaucoma.
Take lorazepam only as directed by your doctor. It may cause psychological dependence (addiction) and physical dependence (body goes into withdrawal if drug is suddenly stopped). When taken as directed by your doctor or nurse, this will not be a problem.
Abruptly stopping the drug can cause anxiety, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and tiredness. The drug should be gradually stopped.
When you start taking the drug, you may feel drowsy, dizzy, confused, weak, or have a headache. This should go away after a few days of taking the drug. If not, talk to your doctor; your dose may need to be reduced.
The drug should not be given to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Since lorazepam affects the central nervous system (CNS), it is important not to take other drugs or substances that are known CNS depressants such as alcohol, sedatives, and hypnotics.
Tell all the doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.
  • Most of the following side effects probably will not occur.
  • Your doctor or nurse will want to discuss specific care instructions with you.
  • They can help you understand these side effects and help you deal with them.
Side Effects:
More Common Side Effects
  • Drowsiness (when first starting the drug)
  • Tiredness (when first starting the drug)
  • Confusion (when first starting the drug)
  • Weakness (when first starting the drug)
  • Headache (when first starting the drug)
Less Common Side Effects
  • Nausea
  • Dry mouth
  • Constipation
  • Lack of coordination
  • Decreased mental alertness
  • Change in heart rate
  • Change in blood pressure
Rare Side Effects
  • Vivid dreams
  • Bizarre behavior
  • Vomiting
  • Change in weight
  • Palpitations
  • Swelling of feet
  • Hives
  • Rash
Side Effects / Symptoms of the Drug

When you start taking the drug, you may feel drowsy, dizzy, confused, weak, or have a headache. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you are drowsy or dizzy. This should go away after a few days of taking the drug. If it does not, talk to your doctor; your dose may need to be reduced.

Be careful walking around or changing position if you are drowsy. Stop the drug and call your doctor or nurse if the drowsiness does not go away, or if you have trouble walking or moving because of it.

Tell your doctor or nurse if you get fine tremors, feel like your body is rigid, or have difficulty speaking or swallowing. You can be given another medicine to lessen these problems.
Other side effects not listed above can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop any problems.
FDA Approval: Yes