Description
Lorazepam is a prescription medicine used to treat anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (excessive worry or restlessness), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic attacks and social phobias. It is also used for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety.
Lorazepam relieves symptoms of anxiety such as nervousness, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, excessive sweating, trembling, weakness or lack of concentration. It may be taken with or without food. However, take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor as it has a high potential of habit-forming.
If you have missed any doses, take it as soon as you remember it and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. You should not stop this medication without talking to your doctor as it may cause nausea and anxiety.
The most common side effects of this medicine are weakness, sedation, and balance disorder (loss of balance). It may also cause dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. Talk to your doctor about potential side effects and ways you might prevent or cope with them. You may also get side effects after stopping the treatment.
Before taking the medicine you should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Taking it along with alcohol affects the way it works and can increase the chance of side effects. If you have been taking this medicine for a long time then regular monitoring of blood and liver functions may be required.
USES OF LORAZEPAM
Short-term anxiety
Anxiety refers to sudden feeling of nervousness, fear, excessive worry and getting panicky. Feeling nervous at times of normal social situations, like exams, job interviews, speaking on stage (stage fear) etc., is considered normal. The type of anxiety that occurs for short time, like an hour, day, or a week, and goes away is called as short term anxiety. You may feel symptoms of anxiety, like, shakiness of hands, excessive sweating, pounding heartbeat, headaches, frequent urination or diarrhea, or muscle twitches, temporarily for the time being.
Anxiety disorder
Feeling anxious at times of special situations, like exams, job interviews, etc., is considered normal. However, exceesive anxiety and overwhelming worry and tension that persists for months is referred as anxiety disorder. You may feel symptoms, like, shakiness of hands, excessive sweating, pounding heartbeat, headaches, frequent urination or diarrhea, or muscle twitches.
BENEFITS OF LORAZEPAM
In Short term anxiety
Lorazepam reduces the symptoms of excessive anxiety and worry that may arise in stressful conditions such as an exam or job interview. It can also reduce feelings of restlessness, tiredness, difficulty concentrating and feeling irritable. This will therefore help you go about your daily activities more easily and be more productive. Keep taking this medicine even if you feel well. Stopping suddenly can cause serious problems.
In Anxiety disorder
Feeling anxious at times of special situations, like exams, job interviews, etc., is considered normal. However, exceesive anxiety and overwhelming worry and tension that persists for months is referred as anxiety disorder. You may feel symptoms, like, shakiness of hands, excessive sweating, pounding heartbeat, headaches, frequent urination or diarrhea, or muscle twitches.
SIDE EFFECTS OF LORAZEPAM
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them.
Common side effects of Lorazepam:
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Sedation
- Balance disorder (loss of balance)
HOW TO USE LORAZEPAM
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Lorazepam may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
HOW LORAZEPAM WORKS
Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine. It works by increasing the action of a chemical messenger (GABA) which suppresses the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.
SAFETY ADVICE
Alcohol
UNSAFE
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Lorazepam
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Lorazepam is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Breastfeeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Lorazepam is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby. Please consult your doctor.
Driving
UNSAFE
Lorazepam may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney
CAUTION
Lorazepam should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Lorazepam may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
CAUTION
Lorazepam should be used with caution in patients with severe liver disease. Dose adjustment of Lorazepam may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
