Ativan (lorazepam) belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepine. Lorazepam works by enhancing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.
Ativan is a prescription medicine used to treat anxiety disorders.
It is dangerous to purchase Ativan on the Internet or outside the United States. These medications may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy. The sale and distribution of medicines outside the U.S. do not come with safe-use regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
This medication is used to treat anxiety. It belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines which act on the brain and nerves (central nervous system) to produce a calming effect. This drug works by enhancing the effects of a certain natural chemical in the body (GABA).
Ativan side effects
Lorazepam can slow or stop your breathing, particularly if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol. The person present at the moment, looking after you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- unusual changes in mood or behavior, being irritable, agitated or talkative;
- thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
- Dark urine or jaundice(yellowing of the skin or eyes).
- confusion, aggression, hallucinations;
- sudden restless feeling or excitement;
- sleep problems;
- severe drowsiness;
- vision changes;
Common Ativan side effects may include:
- dizziness, drowsiness;
- weakness; or
- Feeling trembling.
After you stop using Ativan, get medical help right away if you have symptoms such as: unusual muscle movements, being more active or talkative, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, sudden and severe changes in mood or behavior, suicidal thoughts or actions.
Some withdrawal symptoms may last up to 12 months or longer after stopping this medicine suddenly. Consult with your doctor if you have ongoing anxiety, depression, problems with memory or thinking, and a crawling sensation under your skin, trouble sleeping, ringing in your ears, a burning or prickly feeling.
Warnings
Misuse of ativan can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Keep the medication in a place where children cannot get to it.
You should not use Ativan if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, or if you are allergic to Valium or a similar medicine, severe respiratory insufficiency.
Do not use Ativan if you are pregnant. Lorazepam can cause birth defects or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in a newborn.
Lorazepam may be habit-forming or addictive and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Misuse of habit-forming medicine can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Ativan should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction.
Do not stop using Ativan without asking your doctor. You may have life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if you stop using the medicine suddenly after long-term use. Some withdrawal symptoms may last up to 12 months or longer.
