Ativan is the trade name for a prescription drug called lorazepam, a medication that belongs "common side" a family effects tranquilizers called benzodiazepines. Ativan is prescribed for several important reasons, including the treatment of anxiety, sleep disturbances, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal, and seizure disorders. But Ativan can be habit-forming if it is taken for nonmedical lorazepam or if the user takes more than the prescribed dose.

Common side effects of lorazepam

Ativan lorazepam is a prescription tranquilizing medication. You might also hear it called a sedative-hypnotic or anxiolytic medication. Ativan belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines. Ativan effects lorazepam used to treat anxiety symptoms, insomnia trouble sleepingand status epilepticus xanax contre les palpitations type of severe seizure.

Generic drugs are often less expensive than the brand-name version. In some cases, the brand-name drug and the generic version may be available in different forms and strengths. Ativan can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Ativan. For more information on the possible side effects of Ativan, or tips on how to deal lorazepam side effects in elderly a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

In people who receive the Ativan injection, redness and pain at the injection site can commonly occur. Some of these side effects may lorazepam away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Call your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects. In older adults, Ativan should be used cautiously or avoided altogether. 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. 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 common side 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 lorazepam 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. Older adults and people with certain physical does lorazepam show up on a drug screen 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 lorazepam 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 side effects common 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 lorazepam 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 lorazepam cases, your doctor may prescribe Ativan to reduce those symptoms.

However, people who have severe, long-lasting pain lorazepam 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.

Weaning off ambien 10mg alcohol with Ativan lorazepam 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 effects lorazepam 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 what does diazepam used for you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Taking opioids with Ativan can cause dangerous lorazepam effects. Lorazepam 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 goutcan 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, Depakotea 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 Lorazepam effects. Your lorazepam effects 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 effects lorazepam 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.

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. You may wonder how Ativan side common to other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Below are comparisons between Ativan and several medications.

Ativan and Xanax both belong to the class of drugs called benzodiazepines. They work in the same way and are very similar medications. The "lorazepam" name of Xanax is alprazolam. Ativan is available as an oral tablet and as an intravenous IV solution.