What is Ativan? Uses, warnings & side effects

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read it carefully before taking Ativan. 

Ativan tablets can be taken with or without food.

Ativan injections are administered by a healthcare professional in a hospital or outpatient clinic.

Store Ativan tablets at room temperature in a tightly closed container that is out of the reach of children.

Take a missed dose as soon as you remember. If the dose is 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.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Do not use Ativan if you have had an allergic reaction to lorazepam.

Do not use Ativan if you are experiencing narrow-angle glaucoma.

Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Your doctor will need to talk to you and perform lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Take the prescribed dose. Taking too much Ativan can cause extreme dizziness, weakness, trouble breathing, slow heartbeat, seizures, and cold, clammy skin.

Ativan can cause physical dependency and be habit-forming. Ativan abuse can result in overdose and death. Do not use more than your prescribed dose or take Ativan for longer than prescribed. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.

Ativan may not be safe to take for longer than four months. Long-term use can lead to physical dependency and result in protracted withdrawal symptoms when discontinued.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. To prevent withdrawal, the prescriber will need to slowly decrease your dose before it’s stopped. 

Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have:

• Kidney disease

• Liver disease

• Lung or breathing problems such as COPD or sleep apnea

• Glaucoma

• A history of drug or alcohol abuse, depression, mental health problems, or seizures

This medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell the doctor right away if you start to feel depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourself.

It may not be safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant.

Tell the doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Lorazepam can make a nursing infant sleepy or less willing to feed.

Ativan may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that’s risky until you know how this medicine affects you.

Ativan is a federally controlled substance. Giving or selling this drug to anyone else is dangerous and against the law.

Because of the risk of overdose, death, or misuse, keep Ativan securely out of the reach of children.

To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements you are using before taking diazepam.

Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

Taking Ativan along with narcotic pain relievers (opioids) can cause serious problems including slowed breathing, coma, and death.

Ativan is a sedative, so it can cause excessive sleepiness, impairment, and even slowed breathing when combined with other drugs that slow down the nervous system. These include other benzodiazepines, sleeping pills, antidepressants, antihistamines, or alcohol. 

Do not drink alcohol when taking lorazepam.

Tell the prescribing doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:

• Drugs that treat mental health conditions

• Seizure medications

• Valproate, clozapine, probenecid, theophylline, aminophylline