What is Lorazepam?
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Brand Name
Ativa
Other Names
What is Lorazepam?
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How
Lorazepam can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer time than your doctor tells you to. Tolerance may develop with long-term or excessive use, making the drug less effective. Do not take lorazepam for more than 4 months or stop taking this medication without talking to your doctor. Stopping the drug suddenly can worsen your condition and cause withdrawal symptoms (anxiousness, sleeplessness, and irritability). Your doctor probably will decrease your dose gradually.
Side Effects
drowsinessdizzinesstirednessweaknessdry mouthdiarrheaupset stomachchanges in appetiterestlessness or excitementconstipationdifficulty urinatingfrequent urinationblurred visionchanges in sex drive or abilityshuffling walkpersistent, fine tremor or inability to sit stillfeverdifficulty breathing or swallowingsevere skin rashyellowing of the skin or eyesirregular heartbeathttp://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html
Precautions
Before taking lorazepam,tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to lorazepam, alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Librax), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), estazolam (ProSom), flurazepam (Dalmane), oxazepam (Serax), prazepam (Centrax), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), or any other drugs.tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially antihistamines; digoxin (Lanoxin); levodopa (Larodopa, Sinemet); medications for depression, seizures, pain, Parkinson's disease, asthma, colds, or allergies; muscle relaxants; oral contraceptives; probenecid (Benemid); rifampin (Rifadin); sedatives; sleeping pills; theophylline (Theo-Dur); tranquilizers; valproic acid (Depakene); and vitamins. These medications may add to the drowsiness caused by lorazepam.tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glaucoma; seizures; or lung, heart, or liver disease.tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking lorazepam, call your doctor immediately.if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking lorazepam.you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this drug.
Overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
What If I Forget
If you take several doses per day and miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Storage
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
Miscellaneous
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Other Uses
Lorazepam is also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, epilepsy, insomnia, and nausea and vomiting from cancer treatment and to control agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.
The AHFS MedMaster Consumer Medication Information CMI® database is copyrighted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. © 2008, ASHP, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. All Rights Reserved. Duplication must be expressly authorized by ASHP, unless such duplication consists of printing or downloading portions of the data inherent in the program for non-commercial use. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the database provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such database and specifically disclaims all such warranties and representations. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the database is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug in the database. The information contained in the database is not a substitute for medical care.
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