ATIVAN (LORAZEPAM)

Ativan is a well-known drug from the group of benzodiazepine derivatives, that are extensively used for the remedy of a wide spectrum of mental health issues from sleeping disorders to epileptic seizures. According to the instructions to be used, Ativan additionally has a calming and relaxing effect.

The drug is applicable for neurosis and nervousness states accompanied by somatic disorders, insomnia and panic assaults. It also has an anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant effect.

PHARMACODYNAMICS AND PHARMACOKINETICS

Pharmachologic effect of Lorazepam is due to its similarity with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Lorazepam belongs to the category of benzodiazepine derivatives and affects the CNS buildings, liable for the regulation of emotional exercise (these are limbic system and hypothalamus). The drug offers the flow of chlorine into the excited neuron, which in flip stabilizes neuron.

  • anxiolytic
  • sleeping drug
  • anticonvulsant
  • muscle relaxant

Active substance is properly absorbed from the digestive tract, reaching its maximum concentration within the patient’s blood 2 hours later.

INDICATIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS

Ativan is broadly used in the fashionable medicine for the treatment of such states and psychological illnesses:

  • psychosis
  • various phobias
  • psychosomatic disorders
  • epilepsy
  • panic attacks
  • obsessive-compulsive syndrome
  • mental problems related to injuries
  • behavioral disorders
  • sleep disorders
  • headache attributable to elevated emotional stress and tension
  • nervousness and anxiety
  • consequences of the shock experienced
  • sickness and vomiting, triggered by a course of chemotherapy

Also, Ativan can be utilized as a component of mixture remedy in the course of the therapy of chronic alcohol addiction. Sometimes, it’s prescribed together with analgesic medicines to arrange the sufferers for operative or diagnostic interventions.

Ativan is utilized in medication to remove the symptoms of psychological diseases:

  • nervousness
  • increased anxiety
  • tremor
  • insomnia
  • psychosis
  • alcohol delirium
  • cramps
  • paralysis
  • athetosis

Ativan is a strong substance; subsequently, it’s strictly forbidden to the sufferers, which have the following concomitant illnesses and circumstances:

  • hypersensitivity to the active substance or auxiliary components
  • intolerance to different drugs with an analogous mechanism of action
  • myasthenia
  • glaucoma
  • intoxication with substances depressing the central nervous system
  • breathing problems
  • liver failure
  • apnea syndrome
  • depression
  • addiction to medication, nicotine and alcohol (except withdrawal syndrome)
  • alcohol intoxication
  • acute renal failure

The use of Ativan is strictly forbidden to pregnant and breastfeeding women. If using Lorazepam is crucial for the mother’s well being, she should stop breastfeeding for the time of remedy with this medicine. Also, this medicine is forbidden to the minor patients. Elderly sufferers should take Lorazepam with great warning and intently monitor the body’s response to the drug.

The use of Ativan can have an effect on the patient’s reaction rate. Therefore, through the treatment, you want to chorus from driving and managing other complex mechanisms and limit the work requiring warning.

DOSAGE

According to the instructions for use, you should start the therapy with Ativan with the lowest effective dose, and the course should not be lengthy. With a large dosage and long course, such substances can make the patient addicted. In case of abrupt withdrawal of Ativan, chances are that the affected person could expertise withdrawal or rebound syndrome; therefore, it’s essential to stop the course by progressively lowering the drug dose.