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GENERIC
NAME: lorazepam
BRAND NAME:
Ativan
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM:
Lorazepam is an antianxiety medication in the
benzodiazepine family, the same family that
includes diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax),
clonazepam (Klonopin), flurazepam (Dalmane), and
others. Lorazepam and other benzodiazepines act
by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric
acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is a
neurotransmitter, a chemical that nerves in the
brain use to send messages to one another. GABA
inhibits activity in many of the nerves of the
brain, and it is thought that this excessive
activity is what causes anxiety or other
psychological disorders. Because lorazepam is
removed from the blood more rapidly than many
other benzodiazepines, there is less chance that
lorazepam concentrations in blood will reach
high levels and become toxic. Lorazepam has
fewer interactions with other medications than
most of the other benzodiazepines.
PRESCRIPTION: yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets
(white): 0.5mg and 1mg, 2mg
STORAGE: Tablets should be
kept at room temperature.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Lorazepam
is used for the management of anxiety disorders,
the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety
or anxiety associated with depression. The
effectiveness of lorazepam, or other
benzodiazepines , have not been adequately
studied for treatment beyond 4 months. Lorazepam
also has been shown to be effective for
improving sleep in people with insomnia, for
panic attacks, and as an adjunct (i.e., when
added to other medications) to prevent nausea
and vomiting in patients receiving
cancer chemotherapy.
DOSING: The dose of
lorazepam is tailored to the patient's needs.
Scheduled doses, given twice or three times
daily, are sometimes used for persons with
continuous anxiety or at bedtime for insomnia.
Alternatively, lorazepam may be prescribed on as
"as needed" basis, the physician instructing the
patient to take lorazepam when he/she feels
anxious.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Lorazepam and all benzodiazepines, interact with
other medications and drugs that slow the
brain's processes such as alcohol, barbiturates,
and narcotics. There have been cases of marked
sedation when lorazepam was given to patients
taking the tranquilizer loxapine (Loxitane); it
is unclear if there is a drug interaction at
all, but concern is warranted.
PREGNANCY: Lorazepam and
other benzodiazepines have been associated with
fetal damage, including congenital
malformations, when taken by pregnant women in
their first trimester. Lorazepam is best avoided
if at all possible in the first trimester and
probably throughout pregnancy.
NURSING MOTHERS: It is not
known if lorazepam is secreted in breast milk.
SIDE EFFECTS: The most
commonly noted side effects associated with
lorazepam are sedation (which is reported in
approximately 1 in 6 people), dizziness (1 in
15), weakness, and unsteadiness. Other side
effects include a feeling of depression, loss of
orientation, headache, and sleep disturbance.
Like all
benzodiazepines, lorazepam can cause physical
dependence. Suddenly stopping therapy after a
few months of daily therapy may be associated
with a feeling of loss of self-worth, agitation,
and insomnia. If lorazepam is taken continuously
longer than a few months, stopping therapy
suddenly may produce seizures, tremors, muscle
cramping, vomiting, and/or sweating.
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