Drug Name: Lorazepam
Brand Name: Ativan
Generic Name: Lorazepam (lor a' ze pam)
Uses: Lorazepam is a medication used to relieve anxiety. It is also used to treat epilepsy, nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment, bowel syndrome, insomnia and controls tension from alcohol withdrawal.
How to use: Lorazepam comes in liquid and tablet form to be taken orally and sublingual (under the tongue). It can also be administered through intra-muscular injection and intravenous. For sublingual, the tablet is placed under the tongue and will dissolve within 20 seconds. While Lorazepam is under the tongue, you should not swallow for at least 2 minutes for faster absorption. Lorazepam can be taken with or without food. For the liquid form, it may be diluted in 1 ounce water, juice or carbonated beverages and can also be mixed with applesauce. For injection, Lorazepam is given undiluted and injected into a mass of muscle.
Side Effects: Among the side effects of Lorazepam include amnesia, disorientation, headache, drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, change in weight, weakness, depression, blurred vision, fatigue, sleep disturbance, change in appetite, vomiting, sexual disturbance and skin rashes. For injectable, patients may experience pain at the site, burning sensation, redness, hypertension and hypotension. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms – shuffling walk, irregular heartbeat, fever, severe skin rash, persistent tremor, difficulty breathing or swallowing and yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Precautions: Lorazepam may cause sedation so patients should take extra careful in doing hazardous activities that require mental alertness and motor coordination or refrain from driving within 24 to 48 hours after taking the drug. No reports have been given if Lorazepam is safe for pregnant women so this should not be given to them or to those who are breastfeeding.
Drug Interaction: Lorazepam may produce depressant effects to the central nervous system if given along with barbiturates, alcohol, MAO inhibitors and other antidepressants. Lorazepam can cause drowsiness which may worsen if given with other medications for depression, pain, seizures, asthma, Parkinson's disease, colds or allergies; sedatives; muscle relaxants; oral contraceptives; sleeping pills and tranquilizers.
Overdose: Drowsiness, mental confusion and lethargy are among the signs of mild overdose of Lorazepam. Other signs of more serious overdose include low blood pressure, coma and death though rare.
Notes: Lorazepam should not be taken in larger doses other than what is prescribed since this drug can be habit-forming and those patients taking it may develop tolerance, making the drug less effective. Alcohol should not be taken along with Lorazepam since it can make the patient more drowsy. Smoking cigarette may also decrease the effectiveness of Lorazepam.
Missed Dose: If Lorazepam is taken several doses a day, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Important Note: If you are taking Lorazepam as therapy for longer periods, you should subject yourself for regular blood counts and liver function tests.
Storage: Keep Lorazepam in a tightly-closed container and store at room temperatures.
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