Anti Anxiety

Overview of Ativan 

The generic variant Lorazepam acts as an active component in the branded medicine Ativan. It is used in the treatment of anxiety, seizures, and sleeping disorders as it has the effect of antianxiety, sedative, and anticonvulsant. Buy Ativan online or at the hospital to treat these various problems.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved this drug to treat various disorders such as anxiety, sleeping problems (insomnia), seizures, and for sedative purposes. 

How Does Ativan Work?

It belongs to a medication group called Benzodiazepines, which slow down the central nervous system activity of the brain and have a greater affinity to bind with the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor. 

Benzodiazepine also increases the effect of GABA at the GABA-A receptor without displacing GABA. GABA-A is a ligand-gated Chloride ion channel. It forms a channel of protein which allows it to pass chloride ions into the cells. This is how its inhibitory activity helps to treat anxiety disorder and seizures.

Dosage Strength and Dose of Ativan Medication:

It is available in two forms, such as an oral tablet and a solution, which can be given through either intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injection. 

Dosage strength

The strength of the dose of Ativan tablets is 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg. The concentrated solution of this drug comes in the strength of 2 mg per mL and 4 mg per mL.

Dose for Anxiety in Adults

The minimum dose starts with 2 mg to 3 mg, two to three times in a day.

Dose for Insomnia (caused due to stress or anxiety) in Adults

The dose of 0.5 mg to 2 mg can be taken orally once a day during bedtime.

Dose of Injections

The dose of IM is 0.05 mg per kg should be given 2 hours before operation, and its maximum dose is 4 mg. 

The dose of IV is 0.044 mg per kg and should be administered 15 to 20 minutes before performing surgery. The maximum dose is 4 mg.

Note: The dose of the medication and its dosage strength are administered, determined, and increased or decreased by a doctor.

Uses of Ativan Medicine:

1) Approved Uses:-

• Anxiety disorder:- This drug is approved for short-term treatment for anxiety as it has the effect of antianxiety.
• Status Epilepticus:- It is quite a serious type of seizure that remains for more than half an hour without consciousness between them.
• Insomnia related to anxiety:- When a person gets worried about their concerns, this makes them anxious and due to anxiety keeps them awake and causes disturbance in sleeping.
• Use as Sedative:- Ativan medicine is used due to the anesthetic effect, it is given before performing surgery and to alleviate anxiety.

2) Off-label Uses:-

Apart from FDA-approved uses, there are other uses of this drug that are available off-label means without a prescription. These are as follows:-

• It is also used as a sleeping pill to treat Insomnia.
• Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (produced when a person abruptly stops the consumption of alcohol)
• Agitation (not able to relax or restlessness)
• Nausea and vomiting which are linked to Chemotherapy

Side Effects of Ativan:

Common Side Effects:

• Confusion
• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Stomach problem
• Decrease sexual desire
• Dizziness
• Low appetite

Serious Side Effects:

• Interpret the things or events that are not real (hallucination)
• Self-hurting or suicidal intention
• Severe allergies
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Uncontrollable movements in arms and legs
• Not able to recall recent memories (amnesia)
• Paradoxical reaction (which is caused by an opposite reaction of the drug, such as getting excited, unnecessary movement, being talkative or changing in behavior)
• Pain in the body
• Swollen face, tongue and lips
• Breathing problems
• Addiction

Note:- It has a boxed warning due to the following reasons:-

• It may make you addicted and misuse of this drug can make it difficult to stop it.
• Opioid drugs, may cause fatal consequences and even cause death.

Safety Measures

• Suddenly, when a person stops taking the drug, it may cause withdrawal symptoms like seizures, change in behavior, and unusual muscle movement.
• Do not mix alcohol with this medication, it may be detrimental to your health.
• It is a habit-forming medication due to which it should not be taken without a prescription from a healthcare provider.
• The misuse and overdose of this medicine may cause dependency and even death.
• The consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment.
• Before starting treatment, a doctor should know about the health history of the patient.