What is Ativan, and What is it Used for?
Ativan, or Lorazepam is a prescription drug that is most commonly used to treat symptoms of anxiety, as well as depression associated anxiety. It’s also, but less commonly used to treat the symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal, to prevent seizures, vomiting and nausea that comes as a side effect of chemotherapy, and insomnia (trouble sleeping). It’s seldom used in other, “off label” ways – so don’t be surprised if your doctor prescribes it to treat a condition not mentioned here.
My doctor prescribed Ativan to treat my anxiety – how should i take it? Ativan is almost always prescribed in pill or tablet form. You can take Ativan orally on an empty or full stomach, but the exact dose and frequency of use will be determined by your doctor, depending on the specificities of your condition and the response to the effects of the drug. If you have any questions about the drug or the way it’s used, don’t hesitate to ask your health care provider.
I am worried about the Side effects of Ativan. Is it safe for me?
Although Ativan is reasonably side effect free when compared to some other anxiety medications, there are several side effects of Ativan that have been reported by it’s users. If you exhibit any of the side effects, and they don’t pass in a day or two, you should stop taking Ativan and contact your doctor. Some of the most common Ativan/Lorazepam side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, slight headaches or lightheadedness, and feeling sleepy. These are normal, and should go away soon enough, but if you experience any of the following:
Allergic reactions to the drug (skin rash, itching and redness, tightness in the chest or trouble breathing);
Swelling in the face, lips, tongue or mouth;
Memory loss, confusion and disorientation;
Severe mood and mental state changes – depression, rage, anger;
You should quit taking Ativan at once and call your doctor.
Ativan has a fairly quick half life, meaning that the drug doesn’t take too long to be flushed from your system once it’s done it’s job. This means that the chances of overdose are small, since you would have to take a large quantity over a short time span to build high enough levels of the drug in your bloodstream to be considered toxic. Still, you should never take more Ativan than your doctor prescribed, but if you are afraid that you might have taken too much by mistake, and are experiencing symptoms such as confusion, trouble staying awake or loss of consciousness, get someone to drive you to the nearest hospital as soon as you can.
Ativan can be bought online, with or without a prescription. However, there will always be unreliable people, so make sure that you are buying your Ativan from a reputable online pharmacy with a proven track record and if possible, recommendations from real users. It’s possible to find both a low price on Ativan (Lorazepam), and a reliable provider – just do your research before buying.