Ativan Addiction

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An estimated 9 million people aged 12 and older used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons in 1999; more than a quarter of that number reported using prescription drugs non-medically for the first time in the previous year.

Q)
What is Ativan?

A)
Ativan is the brand name for Lorazepam, an anti-anxiety agent.
Ativan is a benzodiazepine and mild tranquilizer, sedative,
and central nervous system (CNS) depressant. Ativan is manufactured
in pill form as well as liquid form for injection.

Q)
How is Ativan used?

A)
Ativan tablets are a nearly white powder and are almost insoluble
in water. Each Ativan tablet intended for oral use contains
.5mg, 1mg, or 2mg of lorazepam. In liquid form Ativan is intended
for intramuscular or intravenous use. Each ml or Ativan injection
contains either 2.0 or 4.0 mg of lorazepam, 0.18 ml polyethylene
glycol 400 in propylene glycol with 2.0% benzyl alcohol as preservative.

Q)
When are the effects of Ativan typically felt?

A)
The effects of Ativan are usually felt one to five minutes after
receiving it intravenously, 15 to 30 minutes after muscular
injection, or 1 to 6 hours after oral administration.

Q)
Is Ativan considered addictive?

A)
Yes, Ativan is very addictive and can cause psychological and
physical dependence.

Q)
What are the side effects of Ativan?

A)
There are many side effects that come with the use and abuse
of Ativan, they included but are not limited to:

clumsiness,
dizziness, sleepiness, unsteadiness, weakness, amnesia, insomnia,
agitation, disorientation, depression, headache, visual problems,
nausea, abdominal discomfort, drowsiness, blurred vision,
tachycardia, weakness, disinhibition (where they act inappropriately
grandiose or out-of-control), anterograde amnesia (decreased
or lack of recall of events during period of drug action)
has been reported after administration of Ativan and appears
to be dose-related, injectable Ativan results in an increased
incidence of sedation, hallucination, and irrational behavior,
some patients on Ativan have developed leukopenia, both elevation
and lowering of blood sugar levels have been reported.

Cognitive
Side Effects

Memory functioning is markedly and measurably impaired, especially
the ability to store acquired knowledge into long-term memory.
This memory impairment is highly relevant to students. The
risk of acute amnesia is more pronounced with short-acting
drugs. Ativan (lorazepam), Halcion (triazolam), Xanax (alprazolam)
and Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) are especially likely to induce
such memory impairment.

Q)
What are the symptoms of withdrawal?

A)
Withdrawal symptoms, similar in character to those noted with
barbiturates and alcohol (convulsions, tremor, abdominal and
muscle cramps, vomiting, and sweating), have occurred following
abrupt discontinuance of Ativan. The more severe withdrawal
symptoms have usually been limited to those patients who received
excessive doses over an extended period of time.

Q)
What are the symptoms of Ativan overdose?

A)
The symptoms of Ativan overdose are degrees of central nervous
system depression ranging from drowsiness to coma. In mild cases,
symptoms include drowsiness, mental confusion, and lethargy.
In more serious cases, and especially when other drugs or alcohol
were ingested, symptoms may include ataxia, hypotonia, hypotension,
hypnotic state, stage one (1) to three (3) coma, and very rarely,
death.

Q)
What drug interactions occur with Ativan?

A)
Drugs or substances that may interact with Ativan include:

1.
Clozaril (clozapine) – when taken with Ativan can increase
side effects such as sedation and loss of coordination

2. Heparin, Macrolide antibiotics, Depakene (valproic acid),
and Benemid (probenecid) – when taken with Ativan can increase
its effects

3. Birth control pills, caffeine/amphetamines/other stimulants,
and Theo-Dur (theophylline) – these drugs can reduce Ativan’s
effects

4. Lithium – when taken with Ativan can lower body temperature

5. Perocet (oxycodone) and other central nervous system (CNS)
depressants – can cause a slower rate of breathing when taken
with Ativan

6. Dilantin (pheytoin) – can cause Dilatin or Ativan blood
levels to change

7. Narcotics, marijuana, tobacco smoking – can increase sedation

8. Sedatives, sleeping pills, other benzodiazepines – combination
with Ativan could cause death

9. Alcohol – when taken with Ativan can lower breathing rate
and blood pressure resulting in unconsciousness

For More Information about Ativan Abuse, please use our Addiction Help Line.