IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.
Table of Contents
- Uses and How to Use
- Dosage and Storage
- Precautions and Side Effects
- Drug Interactions
- Drug Images
Pronounced: (lor-AYE-zeh-pam)
Ativan Oral Side Effects
Drowsiness, dizziness, loss of coordination, headache, nausea, blurred vision, change in sexual interest/ability, hair loss, constipation, heartburn, or change in appetite may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:
- memory loss
- shaking
- difficult/slurred speech
- vision changes
- mental/mood changes (e.g., depression, including rare thoughts of suicide)
- trouble breathing (especially during sleep)
- stomach/abdominal pain
- yellowing of skin/eyes
- dark urine
- seizures
- easy bruising/bleeding
- signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat)
- unusual weakness
- low body temperature
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Ativan Oral Precautions
Before taking lorazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, alprazolam, clonazepam); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have:
- narrow-angle glaucoma
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- heart disease
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- severe lung/breathing problems (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder-COPD, sleep apnea)
- mental/mood disorders (e.g., depression, psychosis)
- another type of glaucoma (open-angle type)
- muscle weakness
- drug/alcohol abuse
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.
The elderly may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially drowsiness and unsteadiness. Also, the elderly may not experience relief of anxiety with lorazepam. It may have the opposite effect on the elderly, causing mental/mood changes, sleeping problems, increase in sexual interest, or hallucinations.
Children may not experience relief of anxiety with lorazepam. It may have the opposite effect on children, causing agitation, shaking, or hallucinations.
This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Infants born to mothers who took this drug during the last weeks before delivery have had withdrawal symptoms, including unusual drowsiness, slowed breathing, and feeding problems. Consult your doctor for more details
This drug passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Ativan Oral Medical Alert
Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
Copyright 2007 First DataBank, Inc.
