Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories – A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.
Ativan falls into category D. There is evidence of risk to the unborn baby based on studies in humans or adverse reaction data, but this medication may be given to a pregnant woman if her healthcare provider believes that its benefits to the pregnant woman outweigh any possible risks to her unborn baby.
Ativan may harm your unborn baby.
Serious side effects have been reported with Ativan. See “Drug Precautions” section.
Common side effects of Ativan include:
- sedation
- dizziness
- weakness
- unsteadiness
This is not a complete list of Ativan side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
You should not take Ativan if you are breastfeeding. It may be excreted in your breast milk and may harm your nursing child.
Keep tightly closed in container.
Store at room temperature.
Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.
Ativan (generic: lorazepam) is a prescription medication used to treat anxiety disorders, symptoms of anxiety, and anxiety associated with depression. Ativan belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines, which has a sedating effect on brain activity.
This medication comes in tablet form and can be taken once or multiple times per day, depending on reason for use.
Common side effects of Ativan include sedation, weakness, and unsteadiness, and these may be seen more frequently with age.
Ativan can cause dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Ativan affects you.
Ativan is available as 0.5, 1, and 2 mg tablets.
Active ingredient: lorazepam
Inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and polacrilin potassium
Ativan is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of anxiety, anxiety disorders, and anxiety associated with depression.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Serious side effects have been reported with Ativan including:
- Worsening or unmasking preexisting depression: Ativan is not recommended in those with primary depression (depression not related to life stressors) or psychosis that has not been treated.
- Respiratory depression (increased difficulty in breathing): Special precaution is encouraged for those with underlying COPD or other breathing disorders.
- Impaired mental function: Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms…
- memory loss, confusion, disorientation
- extremes in moods (very sad or very happy)
- suicidal thoughts or desires, especially those diagnosed with depression
- Physical or psychological dependence, tolerance, or abuse risk: Risk increases with higher dosage and longer duration of therapy, those with personality disorders, and for those with a history of drug or alcohol abuse.
- Liver impairment: Use of Ativan with decreased liver function may require dose adjustment or may worsen encephalopathy (brain damage caused by a dysfunctional liver).
- Paradoxical reaction: A reaction that results in over stimulation rather than a calming effect may occur when using Ativan, especially in elderly patients or in children. Discontinuation is advised if this occurs.
Ativan can cause dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Ativan affects you.
To avoid withdrawal side effects (insomnia, anxiety, irritability), do not stop taking Ativan suddenly. Discuss with your doctor about slowly decreasing the dose before stopping use of this medication altogether.
Do not take Ativan if you:
- have had an allergic reaction to any benzodiazepines, to Ativan, or to any of the ingredients within the Ativan tablet
- have glaucoma
Before taking Ativan, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:
- have had an allergic reaction to any benzodiazepines, to Ativan, or to any of the ingredients within the Ativan tablet
- have a history of seizures
- have glaucoma
- have a history of depression or psychosis
- have a history of alcohol or drug abuse
- have liver or kidney dysfunction
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Take Ativan exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.
The usual range is 2 to 6 mg every day taken in divided doses, but the daily dosage may vary from 1 to 10 mg/day:
- For anxiety, most patients start with 2 to 3 mg total, given two to three times per day.
- For insomnia due to anxiety, a single daily dose of 2 to 4 mg may be given, usually at night before bedtime.
- For elderly patients, a starting dose of 1 to 2 mg per day is recommended, and may be adjusted as needed and tolerated.
- The dosage of Ativan should be increased gradually when needed to help avoid adverse effects.
- The dosage of Ativan should be decreased gradually when appropriate to help avoid adverse effects during a withdrawal period.
- In general, Ativan should be used for short periods only (2 to 4 weeks). Your doctor will want to determine the need for continued therapy after this time period.
Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Ativan, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Ativan.
If you take too much Ativan, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:
- alcohol
- antipsychotics such as aripiprazole (Abilify), haloperidol (Haldol), quetiapine (Seroquel), or clozapine (Clozaril)
- sedatives such as zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta), or zaleplon (Sonata)
- anxiolytics such as clonazepam (Klonopin), alprazolam (Xanax), or temazepam (Restoril)
- antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac), escitalopram (Lexapro), or citalopram (Celexa)
- opioid analgesics such as oxycodone (OxyContin), morphine (MS Contin), or hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Norco)
- antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or promethazine (Phenergan)
- anticonvulsants such as phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Tegretol, Equetro), or phenobarbital
- probenecid; the dose of Ativan should be reduced by 50% if also taking probenecid
This is not a complete list of Ativan drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Take Ativan exactly as prescribed.
Ativan comes as a tablet and may be taken by mouth one to three times every day, depending on reason for use. It can be taken with or without food.
If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Ativan at the same time.