Effectiveness and Safety of Ativan in Treating Anxiety Disorders

Ativan, which is also known as lorazepam, refers to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. This drug has an influence on chemicals present in brain and impairs them in people suffering from anxiety. Ativan is taken for the cure of anxiety disorders.

• Ativan should not be used if the person has myasthenia gravis or narrow-angle glaucoma and also in conditions of being allergic to Valium or related drugs.
• In case of pregnancy, Ativan is avoided. This is because it can lead to birth defects or dangerous withdrawal symptoms in a newborn child.
• Ativan can be addictive and must be taken by the person who is prescribed. Inappropriate use of this addiction-causing drug can lead to overdose and even death apart from addiction. It should not be shared with a person who is not prescribed in particular to that person who has drug abuse history or addiction. To hide it from such people, medicine should be kept in a safe place.
• While taking Ativan, alcohol is prohibited as the effects of alcohol can be increased.

Ativan is one of the brands of lorazepam which is benzodiazepine. Lorazepam is a sort of medicine used for peace and sedation. It is considered to act on GABA receptors of the brain. Ativan causes sedative, anti-anxiety and anti-convulsant effects.

Ativan is effective in promoting relaxation and alleviating anxiety. It can also taken for the cure of prolonged seizures. Can also be taken in other cases like back pain when other curative measures have failed; nevertheless, there is not enough evidence in this regard. Ativan can also be used before operation to decrease anxiety.

• Driving and doing machinery work is avoided. Tasks which involve alertness are also avoided.
• Be careful while standing from a sitting or lying position.
• Alcohol is avoided with Ativan.
• The dose of Ativan should neither be increased nor be decreased without the doctor’s permission and least effective dose is preferred.
• Ativan can be taken in split doses while the greatest dose should be taken before sleeping to decrease anxiety.
• Symptoms of withdrawal may take place which involve tremor, convulsions, cramps, sweating, vomiting or insomnia along with sudden discontinuation; gradually reduce under the supervision of a doctor. Should be discontinued on advice of doctor.

Ativan has a good response and effectiveness. Peak effects after taking ativan varies on the basis of formulation used. Maximum effects when used before surgery appear under two hours of intramuscular injection while in case of intravenous injection, maximum effects appear within 15 minutes of administration. Expected effects generally disappear after six to eight hours but they may prolong in specific conditions.

Ativan should be taken just as prescribed. All directions on the prescription label should be followed. Overdose is avoided. The doctor should be informed if the medicine is not working in treating the symptoms. Ativan can be addictive and must be taken by the person who is prescribed. Inappropriate use of this addiction-causing drug can lead to overdose and even death apart from addiction. It should not be shared with a person who is not prescribed in particular to that person who has drug abuse history or addiction. To hide it from such people, medicine should be kept in a safe place.

Inappropriate use of this addictive medicine, Ativan, can leads to overdose and even death. Selling of this drug is illegal without prescription. Ativan drug should be used for a short duration and should not be taken longer than the doctor’s recommendations.

Ativan is safe for short periods of duration and the positives of Ativan out weights the negatives and this is what a doctor considers when they are about to prescribe the medicine.

The Side Effects of Ativan are:

• Unsteadiness while standing and drowsiness elevate the danger of falling.
• Ativan can imbalance the reflexes and influence the ability of a person to operate machinery or drive. Prevent alcohol.
• Psychological and physical reliance.
• Symptoms of withdrawal may take place which involve tremor, convulsions, cramps, sweating, vomiting or insomnia along with sudden discontinuation; gradually reduce under the supervision of a doctor.
• Sometimes Ativan can lead to difficulty in breathing; the danger increases with increase in dose.
• Patients above the age of 50 are more at danger of intense and prolonged relaxation after IV administration.

Ativan is one of the brands of lorazepam which is taken for the effective treatment of anxiety disorders and also used as a preoperative medicine. It is a perfect short-tenure medicine because it causes addiction as well as withdrawal symptoms.