Ativan (Lorazepam)
Ativan(Lorazepam) is a prescription medical treatment used to manage anxiety. Lorazepam belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines which act on the brain and nerves (central nervous system) to produce a calming effect that eventually relieves symptoms of anxiety. This drug works by enhancing the effects of a certain natural chemical in the body. This medication may also be used as a treatment for short-term insomnia. Insomnia is a medical condition that involves poor sleep quality and/or quantity of sleep during a period. Ativan vs Xanax
How To Use Ativan
Anxiety Disorders
- Initial: 2-3 mg oral tablet once every 8-12 hours as needed; not to exceed 10 mg/day
- Maintenance: 2-6 mg/day taken orally divided once every 8-12 hours
- Geriatric: Lower initial dose recommended; 1-2 mg orally divided once every 8-12 hours
Short-Term Treatment of Insomnia
- 2-4 mg taken orally at bedtime
- Geriatric: Lower initial dose recommended; 0.5-1 mg orally at bedtime, increase as needed. To avoid over-sedation, the initial daily dose should not exceed 2 mg
Preoperative Sedation, Anxiety Relief, & Anterograde Amnesia
- 0.05 mg/kg intramuscularly (IM) for 1 dose; 2 hours before surgery; not to exceed 4 mg (2 mg in elderly), OR
- 0.044 mg/kg intravenously (IV) for 1 dose; 15-20 minutes before surgery; not to exceed 4 mg (2 mg in elderly)
Status Epilepticus - Adult
- Usual 4 mg/dose slow IV at 2 mg/min
- If seizure persists after 5-10 min, administer 4 mg IV again
Status Epilepticus (Off-label) - Pediatric
- Infants and children: 0.05-0.1 mg/kg IV over 2-5 minutes; not to exceed 4 mg/dose; may repeat every 10-15 minutes as needed
- Alternatively, 0.1 mg/kg at a slow IV rate not to exceed the rate of 2 mg/minute; not to exceed the dose of 4 mg
- Adolescents: 4 mg slow IV; if seizure persists after 10-15 minutes, administer 4 mg IV again
Anxiolytic/Sedation in ICU (Off-label)
- Intubated and mechanically ventilated patients
- 0.02-0.04 mg/kg IV
- 0.02-0.06 mg/kg intermittent IV once every 2-6 hours as needed, OR
- website
- 0.01-0.1 mg/kg/hour continuous IV; not to exceed 10 mg/hour
Children: 0.05 mg/kg orally once every 4-8 hours; not to exceed 2 mg
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea/Vomiting (Off-label)
- 0.5-2 mg orally or intravenously (IV) once every 6 hours; as needed thereafter
- Children 2 years and older: 0.025-0.05 mg/kg intravenously (IV) once every 6 hours as needed; not to exceed 2 mg
Chronic Insomnia (Off-label)
- 2-4 mg orally at bedtime.
Side Effects Ativan
Ativan can cause mild or serious side effects moreover, the following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Ativan.
This list doesn’t include all possible side effects.
For more information on the possible side effects of Ativan, or tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Ativan vs Xanax
Ativan more common side effects
The more common side effects of Ativan include:
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- weakness
Some people may also experience less frequent side effects such as:
- confusion
- lack of coordination
- depression
- fatigue
- headache
- restlessness
People who receive the Ativan injection may experience redness and mostly, pain at the injection site can commonly occur.
Some of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks.
If they’re more severe or don’t go away, you can further talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
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