Lorazepam, commonly known under the brand name Ativan, belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. It has pronounced soothing, sedative, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant effects.

Ativan is used to treat a variety of disorders, including:

• Anxiety Disorders: Lorazepam relieves symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks by helping manage the chemical balance in the brain.
• Insomnia: Temporary use of lorazepam may help improve sleep quality and speed up falling asleep.
• Epilepsy: Lorazepam can control uncontrolled seizures in patients with epilepsy.
• Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: Lorazepam can help reduce symptoms of alcohol poisoning, such as anxiety, insomnia, and tremors.

Rules of Use and Dosage

Ativan should be taken strictly as prescribed by a physician, who will determine the dose and duration of treatment based on the individual patient and the characteristics of the disease. Treatment usually begins with a minimum effective dose, which can be adjusted depending on the outcome.

Reducing the dose or suddenly stopping this medication can cause withdrawal syndrome. This can be life-threatening. The risk of dependence and withdrawal increases with long-term use of this medication or when you take it in high doses. Consult your doctor before reducing the dose or stopping this medication. You should follow your doctor's instructions.

Seek medical help immediately if you have trouble controlling body movements, seizures, behavioral or mood changes, such as depression or suicidal thoughts, thoughts of harming someone, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that do not exist), loss of contact with reality, frantic movements or talking, or any other side effects, appear or become more severe.

Side Effects and Cautions

Ativan can cause several side effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, nausea, memory problems, and coordination problems. It can also be addictive, especially when used for long periods or in high doses. Therefore, it is important to use lorazepam only under your doctor's supervision and follow his or her recommendations for dosage and duration of treatment.

Ativan is contraindicated for liver function disorders and during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Be careful when driving or performing other potentially dangerous tasks, as lorazepam may impair your ability to concentrate and cause drowsiness.

What should I tell my doctor BEFORE taking this medicine:

• If you are allergic to this medicine, any of its ingredients, other medicines, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about your allergies and how they have appeared.
• If you have any health conditions listed: glaucoma, depression, or mental disorder.
• If you have sleep apnea or breathing problems.
• If you have any health conditions: kidney or liver disease.
• If you are breastfeeding, some forms of this medicine are not intended for use while you are breastfeeding.

Interaction with other Drugs

Ativan may interact with other medicines, which may change the effectiveness of treatment or increase side effects. Some examples of such interactions include alcohol, narcotic analgesics, antidepressants, antihistamines, and muscle relaxants. Any strong sedative must be taken with caution in combination with other medications. The so-called "big" tranquilizer group is based on benzodiazepine, diphenylmethane, and other chemical groups.

Withdrawal of the Drug

Long-term use of Ativan can develop physical and mental dependence. Because of this, abrupt withdrawal from the drug may cause withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and seizures. To avoid these symptoms, your doctor may advise gradually reducing the drug dose until withdrawal is complete.

Conclusion

Lorazepam (Ativan) is an effective medication for anxiety, insomnia, epilepsy, and alcohol withdrawal syndrome. However, because of the risk of side effects and addiction, your doctor should strictly monitor its use. Be sure to follow your doctor's recommendations for dosage and duration of treatment, and remember to report all medications you are taking to avoid unwanted interactions.