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Ativan

side effects drug center ativan (lorazepam) drug - patient side effects and images

 

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CONSUMER

SIDE EFFECTS

Ativan Patient Information Including Side Effects

Brand Names: Ativan, Lorazepam Intensol, Loreev XR

Generic Name: lorazepam (oral)

What is lorazepam (Ativan, Lorazepam Intensol, Loreev XR)?

Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peen) that is used to treat anxiety disorders.

Lorazepam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of lorazepam (Ativan, Lorazepam Intensol, Loreev XR)?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Lorazepam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol. A person caring for you should give 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:

  • severe drowsiness;
  • unusual changes in mood or behavior, being agitated or talkative;
  • sudden restless feeling or excitement;
  • thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
  • confusion, aggression, hallucinations;
  • sleep problems;
  • vision changes; or
  • dark urine, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Drowsiness or dizziness may last longer in older adults. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury.

Common side effects may include:

  • dizziness, drowsiness;
  • weakness; or
  • feeling unsteady.

After you stop using lorazepam, get medical help right away if you have symptoms such as: unusual muscle movements, being more active or talkative, sudden and severe changes in mood or behavior, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, suicidal thoughts or actions.

Some withdrawal symptoms may last up to 12 months or longer after stopping this medicine suddenly. Tell your doctor if you have ongoing anxiety, depression, problems with memory or thinking, trouble sleeping, ringing in your ears, a burning or prickly feeling, or a crawling sensation under your skin.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about lorazepam (Ativan, Lorazepam Intensol, Loreev XR)?

Lorazepam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol.

MISUSE OF THIS MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep this medicine where others cannot get to it.

Do not stop using lorazepam 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.

Get medical help right away if you stop using lorazepam and have symptoms such as: unusual muscle movements, being more active or talkative, sudden and severe changes in mood or behavior, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, or thoughts about suicide.

Ativan Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lorazepam (Ativan, Lorazepam Intensol, Loreev XR)?

You should not use lorazepam if you have:

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you use lorazepam during pregnancy, your baby could be born with life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, and may need medical treatment for several weeks.

You should not breastfeed.

If you do breastfeed, tell your doctor if you notice drowsiness, feeding problems, or slow weight gain in the nursing baby.

Not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old. Extended-release lorazepam should not be used by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take lorazepam (Ativan, Lorazepam Intensol, Loreev XR)?

Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Never use lorazepam in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of this medicine.

Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

Measure the oral concentrate (liquid) with the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon). Mix the liquid with water, juice, soda, or soft food such as applesauce or pudding. Swallow this mixture right away.

Swallow the extended-release capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and mix the medicine with applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing. Then drink a glass of water.

Do not stop using lorazepam without asking your doctor. You may have life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if you stop using the medicine suddenly after long-term use.

Store tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Store the liquid form of lorazepam in the refrigerator. Throw away any liquid not used within 90 days.

Keep your medicine in a place where no one can use it improperly.

Ativan Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose

What happens if I miss a dose (Ativan, Lorazepam Intensol, Loreev XR)?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose (Ativan, Lorazepam Intensol, Loreev XR)?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of lorazepam can be fatal if you take it with alcohol, opioid medicine, or other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.

Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness, confusion, slurred speech, feeling restless, muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination, feeling light-headed, slow heartbeats, weak or shallow breathing, or coma.

What should I avoid while taking lorazepam (Ativan, Lorazepam Intensol, Loreev XR)?

Avoid drinking alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

What other drugs will affect lorazepam (Ativan, Lorazepam Intensol, Loreev XR)?

Taking lorazepam with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

  • probenecid, aminophylline, or theophylline;
  • medicine to treat mental illness; or
  • medicine that contains an antihistamine (such as sleep medicine, cold or allergy medicine).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect lorazepam, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information (Ativan, Lorazepam Intensol, Loreev XR)?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about lorazepam.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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