Ativan Quick Facts
Ativan is used for the short-term treatment of anxiety, insomnia, acute seizures including status epilepticus and sedation of hospitalized patients, as well as sedation of aggressive patients.
Other Brand Names:Temesta, Alzapam, Lora
Generic Name: Lorazepam
Primary Uses:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
Other Uses:
- Acute seizures
- Sedation
- Recreational (ILLEGAL)
Availability: Lorazepam is available in 0.5-mg, 1-mg, and 2-mg tablets and in an injectable form.
Contraindications:
- Allergy or hypersensitivity
- Severe respiratory failure
- Acute intoxication
- Ataxia
- Acute narrow-angle glaucoma
- Sleep apnea
- Myasthenia gravis
- Pregnancy and breast feeding
Side Effects:
- confusion, depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself
- hyperactivity, agitation, hostility
- hallucinations
- feeling light-headed, fainting.
Less serious side effects may include:
- drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness
- blurred vision
- sleep problems (insomnia)
- muscle weakness, lack of balance or coordination
- amnesia or forgetfulness, trouble concentrating
- nausea, vomiting, constipation
- appetite changes
- skin rash
Black Box Warnings: In the United Kingdom, Ativan has carried a “black box” warning for decades. In the United States, it has not. You should not take Ativan if you have sleep apnea as it can be fatal.
Metabolized: Liver
Excreted: Kidneys
Half-life: 10-20 hours
Withdrawal Effects:
Withdrawal symptoms include headaches, anxiety, tension, depression, insomnia, restlessness, confusion, irritability, sweating, dysphoria, dizziness, derealization, depersonalization, numbness/tingling of extremities, hypersensitivity to light, sound, and smell, perceptual distortions, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, hallucinations, delirium, seizures, tremor, stomach cramps, myalgia, agitation, palpitations, tachycardia, panic attacks, short-term memory loss, and hyperthermia. It takes approximately 18–36 hours for the benzodiazepine to remove itself from the body.
The risk and severity of withdrawal is increased with long-term use, use of high doses, abrupt or over-rapid reduction, among other factors. Short-acting benzodiazepines such as lorazepam are more likely to cause a more severe withdrawal syndrome compared to longer-acting benzodiazepines.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorazepam
http://www.drugs.com/ativan.html
About Author
Faye Nox
I am a photographer and writer, trying to make it in a competitive industry. I have struggled with depression and anxiety for most of my life, though for the better part of ten years, I managed to avoid the health care system, until a breakdown in 2009. While I am currently on medication for my depression, my goal is to be drug free and to share holistic solutions that I find on my journey.
Protracted withdrawal is not unusual for someone with dependency/addiction issues. Other long term withdrawal effects include parasthesia, depersonalization, the feeling of ‘jello under the skin’, depression, headaches and issues with balance. These effects may take up to two years to dissipate, sometimes longer.
I’ve been off of benzos for just over 2.5 years and still live with some of these symptoms. They are minimal, but still there. My opinion is that benzos are horrible drugs.