Ativan Lorazepam

What is Ativan?

Ativan

(Lorazepam) is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). Lorazepamaffects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.

Valium is used to treat anxiety disorders, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, or muscle spasms. Valium is sometimes used with other medications to treat seizures.

Valium may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

You should not use Valium if you are allergic to Lorazepam or similar medicines (Ativan, Klonopin, Restoril, Xanax, and others), or if you have myasthenia gravis, severe liver disease, narrow-angle glaucoma, a severe breathing problem, or sleep apnea.

Do not use Valium if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.

Do not start or stop taking Valium during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Lorazepam may cause harm to an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both the mother and the baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this medicine for seizures.

Before you take Valium, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, asthma or other breathing problems, kidney or liver disease, seizures, or a history of drug or alcohol addiction, mental illness, depression, or suicidal thoughts.

Do not drink alcohol while taking Valium. This medication can increase the effects of alcohol.

Never take more of this medication than your doctor has prescribed. An overdose of Valium can be fatal.

Valium may be habit forming. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Valium if you are allergic to Lorazepam or similar drugs (Ativan, Klonopin, Restoril, Xanax, and others), or if you have:

• myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakness disorder);

• severe liver disease;

• narrow-angle glaucoma;

• a severe breathing problem; or

• sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep).

To make sure Valium is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions:

• open-angle glaucoma;

• asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathing problems;

• kidney or liver disease;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• a history of mental illness, depression, or suicidal thoughts or behavior; or

• a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

Valium may be habit forming. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

FDA pregnancy category D. If you take Valium for anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, or muscle spasms, do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Valium may cause low blood pressure, breathing problems, or addiction and withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes the medication during pregnancy.

See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

If you take Valium for seizures, do not start or stop taking this medicine during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Valium may cause harm to an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both the mother and the baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking Valium for seizures.

Lorazepam can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 6 months old.

The sedative effects of Valium may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are taking Valium.

How should I take Valium?

Take Valium exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Valium should be used for only a short time. Do not take this medication for longer than 12 weeks (3 months) without your doctor's advice.

Do not stop using Valium suddenly, or you could have increased seizures or unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.

Call your doctor at once if you feel that this medicine is not working as well as usual, or if you think you need to use more than usual.

While using Valium, you may need frequent blood tests at your doctor's office.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

After you have stopped using this medicine, flush any unused pills down the toilet. Disposal of medicines by flushing is recommended to reduce the danger of accidental overdose causing death. This advice applies to a very small number of medicines only. The FDA, working with the manufacturer, has determined this method to be the most appropriate route of disposal and presents the least risk to human safety.

Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Valium is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at . An overdose of Valium can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, loss of balance or coordination, limp or weak muscles, or fainting.

What should I avoid?

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Do not drink alcohol while taking Valium. This medication can increase the effects of alcohol.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Lorazepam and lead to unwanted side effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.

Valium side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Valium: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;

• unusual risk-taking behavior, decreased inhibitions, no fear of danger;

• depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;

• hyperactivity, agitation, aggression, hostility;

• new or worsening seizures;

• weak or shallow breathing;

• a feeling like you might pass out;

• muscle twitching, tremor;

• loss of bladder control; or

• little or no urinating.

Common Valium side effects may include:

• memory problems;

• drowsiness, tired feeling;

• dizziness, spinning sensation;

• feeling restless or irritable;

• muscle weakness;

• nausea, constipation;

• drooling or dry mouth, slurred speech;

• blurred vision, double vision;

• mild skin rash, itching; or

• loss of interest in sex.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at .

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Valium?

Taking Valium with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects. Ask your doctor before taking Valium with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with this medicine, especially:

• cimetidine;

• omeprazole;

• phenytoin;

• an antibiotic--clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin;

• an antidepressant such as fluoxetine, fluoxetine, and others;

• antifungal medicine--itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole;

• heart or blood pressure medication such as diltiazem, nicardipine, quinidine, verapamil, and others; or

• HIV/AIDS medicine--atazanavir, delavirdine, fosamprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir, or ritonavir.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with Valium, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.