Treats anxiety, anxiety with depression, and insomnia (trouble sleeping). This medicine is a benzodiazepine.
Brand Names:
Ativan, Lorazepam Intensol
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to lorazepam or to other medicines that are like lorazepam (such as Valium®, Xanax®, or Dalmane®).
Uses:
Tablet, Liquid
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup.
If a dose is missed:
If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If you are more than 1 hour late, skip the missed dose and wait until it is time for your next dose.
Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Storage:
Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Make sure your doctor knows if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy (such as sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain killers, or sedatives).
Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine. Avoid drinking coffee, tea, or soft drinks that contain caffeine.
Warnings:
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have glaucoma, liver disease, or lung problems.
This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not take more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
This medicine may make you drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Depression or severe confusion
Severe drowsiness and weakness
Slow heartbeat
Trouble breathing
Unsteadiness (having a hard time standing up)
Blurred vision or headache
Dizziness, clumsiness, or trouble concentrating
Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
Feeling "hungover" in the morning after taking this medicine at bedtime
