Ativan (Lorazepam)

The drug Ativan (Lorazepam) was first developed back in 1977 and entered the market under the trade names Temesta and Ativan. DJ Richards was the lead developer of this drug, which works as a benzodiazepine. More often than not, we see doctors recommending it as an anxiolytic and a sedative.
Originally, it was intended for the treatment of anxiety disorders. However, it has transitioned to treating various conditions, including the aforementioned ailments — but also including insomnia, which is more of a hypersomnia disorder in many, alongside vertigo, seizures, and more.
Ativan is classified as a GABA modulating drug that influences the central nervous system to relax and therefore elevates the levels of GABA within the brain, effectively aiding in alleviating tension. Generally increases the brain capabilities to function when modulated, bringing a sense of relief to patients with social fears and tension.
Due to the increased sense of social ability and tension relief mentioned earlier, people often desire medication after experiencing the effects of ataractic, leading to 19.1% of adults suffering from anxiety. The National Comorbidity Study Replication collected the data during comorbidity interviews

How to use Ativan?-

While using Ativan, patients must comply with the doctor’s recommendations. The recommended dosage limit varies based on the severity of the condition being treated, and following it helps extend the safe use of the drug. Doctors should carefully prescribe Ativan and ensure patients use the least possible dosage for the shortest possible time.”
Yet, sudden git the drug cessation will have an abrupt adverse effect on patients that have been on long term treatment, and that could be even life threatening.

Doses Information of Ativan-

Doctors commonly prescribe a daily dose of 2-3mg, but they determine this based on a comprehensive assessment of the patient. Patients should follow the doctor’s instructions scrupulously, according to Clarke and Maximo. Specific considerations apply to the measures, as doctors accommodate the individual needs of each person. Most medical experts do not recommend more than 6mg of this drug daily. Additionally, doctors typically start with conservative dosages of around 0.5mg and gradually adjust the dosage until they reach the desired amount.

Ativan compare with Xanax

Most of the medical professionals that seek to reduce the chance of a patient being dependent on the drug will prescribe only moderate dosage. But both Ativan and Xanax come to the aid of patients who struggle with emotional and physiological responses to anxiety, panic attacks and other related issues.
When determining a better option between Ativan and Xanax, one can claim that Ativan appears to be a better option for people who have to deal with anxiety episodes since it is not overly quick in how it works, but both have their pros and cons.
In the past, experts have suggested that prolonged abuse of a drug renders it useless, and this is the case here as well. The only variation with the drug Ativan is that you can start it within a time range of 15 to 30 minutes, which is quite early compared to other medicines. A set of psychotropic and pharmacological treatments already exists, but they are not entirely dependable and carry a risk factor, which can be a nightmare. In addition, the negative effects of these treatments are the most horrible experience in the entire medication setup.

Side effect of Ativan:

Some of the side effects that many experience with these medications include the following:

Drowsiness, Dizziness, Nausea, Headache, Constipation, Heartburn, Online appetite change. More often than not, these effects are temporary and will eventually fade away, but If they appear to linger, you need to consult a specialist. Nausea, Headache, may be experienced as well. There is online appetite change and Heartburn along with Drowsiness and Dizziness as well. Now you see, on most occasions, Breezy can lead to certain side effects, and these are very much normal, but expect a time frame within the span of which your body adapts to this new change; however, if the side effects go beyond that or are much worse, do visit a specialist.

In addition to the side effects discussed above, also a few extreme ones do exist:

which do need medical assistance instantly, Difficulty waking up, Any unexplained lightheadedness, and Stomach Ninety-eight degrees Fahrenheit.
Blood in urine or blood stool
Little exertion out of the muscles
Suicidal thoughts or actions
Seeing sensitivity
Discomfort in the balance
Actions that cannot be controlled
People have observed that in some situations, Ativan can cause side effects, such as:
Having problems in learning
Giving rise to any negative thoughts
Disinterest in routine and day to day work
Restless feeling
Rebounding anxiety
Twelve per cent of mnemonics, Taking into consideration Ativan, it is a well-established fact that In some rare situations, it can have an effect on the brain in a negative way. But it’s best it does have an emotional disturbance in the lower region of the brain, however, it can change the way one feels and perceives the world out there.

Warnings of this medication-

Ativan is recommended for only 30 days in order to avoid the risk of addiction. On the other hand, it is not wise to cease it all at once. There is a risk of experiencing adverse outcomes by doing so, one of which can be an increased chance of abuse, which may lead to an overdose or, in a worst-case scenario, death.
It is wise to be extra careful while using this coupled with other drugs, as it is in the benzodiazepines family. Do not use alcohol, cannabis, opioids, codeine, hydrocodone, or other illegal drugs with this medication due to the possible adverse effects.
This medication has a potential side effect of causing drowsiness and breathing problems when used with other medications.
Ativan withdrawal can sometimes last weeks or even months, making the whole process more annoying and complicated than necessary. This medicine is not to be used in women who are pregnant and or breastfeeding.

Go Through your Medical History with your Doctors

Inform your physician about any allergies you may have before taking Ativan, especially if you’re allergic to benzodiazepines. Always have in mind, though, among other conditions, you should outline the following that appear in your medical history during your interaction with your doctor:
Kidney impairment-ties
Respiratory syndromes
Pulmonary ulcers
Hepatic diseases
Eye disorders like glaucoma
Schizophrenic
Depression
Apneic
Drug abuse
It was highlighted earlier on that this medication may result in drowsiness and blurred vision. Generally, elderly patients tend to suffer more from fear- dizziness than the younger patients, while the younger ones usually cite poor coordination and lack of concentration as the side effects of the drug.

Conclusion

Users of Ativan are very likely to develop addiction and dependence over an extended period of time, which is why doctors recommend this medication for short-term use only. Abrupt stopping of the depression meds withdrawal can also be fatal, so the patient must be able to figure out how to stop the drug safely.
If you are contemplating taking this medication, ensure you talk to your doctor about it beforehand.
For insomnia associated with anxiety or excessive stress, some physicians tend to prescribe this medication. Doctors can also use Ativan off-label for other types of insomnia. However, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine advises against using it as the first option due to its adverse effects and addiction potential.