How to Take Lorazepam

Lorazepam, brand name Ativan, is an anti-anxiety medicine that is available in tablets and injections. It belongs to a class of medicines known as benzodiazepine, designed to treat conditions like depression and insomnia. The drug was originally manufactured by Wyeth. Now, there are several generic products that contain Lorazepam.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• prescription

1. Take the right dosage as prescribed by your physician. The dose may vary depending on the condition being treated. Exceeding the recommended dosage may lead to a disorder known as anterograde amnesia, or the inability to remember traumatic events.

2. Take Lorazepam on a short-term basis only. It should not be taken for a period exceeding four months without a prescription. A typical dose is 2 or 3 tablets daily.

3. Get information about the possible side effects of the medicine. Mild side-effects include insomnia, drowsiness and changes in appetite. Serious side-effects, such as hallucinations, suicidal tendencies and depression should be reported to your physician immediately.

4. Use a specially-made medicine dropper when taking the liquid form of Lorazepam. You need to dissolve the solution in an ounce of juices or carbonated drinks prior to taking Lorazepam.

5. Continue taking the drug until your doctor says it's okay to stop. You may have to go through a gradual withdrawal from the drug top avoid dangerous side-effects.

Tips & Warnings

• Prior to taking Lorazepam, make sure that you inform your doctor of any condition that you have such as difficulty in breathing, asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, glaucoma, kidney or liver disease, past depression, attempts to commit suicide or drug and alcohol addiction.

• Inform your doctor of any allergic reactions to Lorazepam or similar drugs like alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, diazepam, or oxazepam. Also tell the doctor if you are currently taking antihistamines, oral contraceptives, rifampin, vitamins, sedatives or sleeping pills which could react with Lorazepam.

• Store Lorazepam at room temperature and out of direct sunlight

• Make regular visits to your doctor to ensure Lorazepam is working correctly.

• If you miss a dose of Lorazepam you should take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the dose and continue taking Lorazepam as prescribed.

• Side effects of Lorazepam may include confusion, depression and thoughts of suicide, hyperactivity, agitation, hallucinations, light-headedness, fainting, drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, blurred vision, insomnia, weak muscles and lack of coordination, loss of balance, amnesia, poor concentration, nausea, vomiting, constipation, poor appetite and skin rash.

• Consult your doctor if you're taking or have recently taken any of the following; amobarbital, butabarbital, mephobarbital, secobarbital, Phenobarbital, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, chlorpromazine, haloperidol, mesoridazine, pimozide, thioridazine, butorphanol, codeine, ****, levorphanol, meperidine, methadone, morphine, naloxone, oxycodone, Propoxyphene, amitriptyline, amoxapine, citalopram, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, imipramine, nortriptyline, paroxetine, protriptyline, sertraline, or trimipramine.

• If you are pregnant or nursing, do not take Lorazepam because this could harm your baby.

• Once you are on Lorazepam, do not skip your dose. You could suffer seizures or other severe withdrawal symptoms.

• Lorazepam can increase the effects of alcohol. Do not drink while taking this medication.

• Do not take any medications that cause drowsiness while taking Lorazepam.

• Never share Lorazepam with another person.

• Lorazepam could be addictive.

• Do not give Lorazepam to anyone under twelve years of age.

• Do not take Lorazepam for more than four months without a doctor's ok.