What do ativan pills look like

Lorazepam On this page About lorazepam Key facts Who can and cannot take lorazepam How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.

About lorazepam Lorazepam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. It's also known by the brand name Ativan.

Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? The full sedating effect lasts for around 6 to 8 hours. The most common side effect is feeling sleepy drowsy during the daytime. It's not recommended to use lorazepam for longer than 4 weeks. If lorazepam makes you feel sleepy, do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery. Do not drink alcohol while taking lorazepam. It can make you sleep very deeply.

Lorazepam is not suitable for everyone. To make sure it's safe for you, tell a doctor before starting lorazepam if you: have had an allergic reaction to lorazepam or any other medicine in the past have liver or kidney problems have breathing or chest problems have myasthenia gravis , a condition that causes muscle weakness have sleep apnoea , a condition that causes breathing problems when you're asleep have or have had depression or thoughts of harming yourself have been diagnosed with personality disorder have or have had problems with alcohol or drugs have arteriosclerosis , a condition that affects blood flow are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or breastfeeding have glaucoma , a condition that causes high blood pressure in the eye are going to have a general anaesthetic for an operation or dental treatment.

Always take lorazepam exactly as a doctor or pharmacist has told you. Will my dose go up or down? What if I forget to take it?

If you forget to take your lorazepam: for anxiety — if it's less than 3 hours since your missed dose, take it as soon as you remember. If more than 3 hours have passed, skip the missed dose. Take you usual dose the next night. If it does not, call the hospital to ask what to do next.

What if I take too much? Urgent advice: Contact for advice if:. Common side effects These common side effects happen to more than 1 in people. If you get these side effects, keep taking the medicine and speak to a doctor: feeling sleepy or very tired in the daytime muscle weakness problems with your coordination or controlling your movements Serious side effects It happens rarely in less than 1 in people, but some people have serious side effects when taking lorazepam.

Tell a doctor straightaway if: your breathing becomes very slow or shallow your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow; this could be a sign of liver problems you find it difficult to remember things amnesia you see or hear things that are not there hallucinations you think things that are not true delusions you keep falling over you notice mood changes such as talking too much, feeling overexcited, restless, irritable or aggressive Mood changes can become serious and are more likely in children or if you're over Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, lorazepam may cause a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis.

Information: You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme. What to do about: feeling sleepy, or unusually tired in the daytime — do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery until you feel better. Do not drink any alcohol as this will make you feel worse. This side effect should get better as your body gets used to the medicine. If your symptoms do not improve after a week or get worse, speak to a doctor as you may need a lower dose.

You may need a blood test to find the cause. If you become pregnant while taking lorazepam, speak to a doctor. Lorazepam and breastfeeding If a doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can use lorazepam during breastfeeding. Lorazepam passes into breast milk in small amounts. Non-urgent advice: Talk to a doctor if you're:. Important For safety, tell a doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements.

How does lorazepam work? Lorazepam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. How will it make me feel? How long does it take to work? How long will I take it for? How long you take lorazepam for depends on why you're taking it: anxiety and sleep problems — it's usually only recommended for up to 4 weeks.

Your dose may be reduced gradually to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Will I become addicted to lorazepam? What happens when I want to stop taking lorazepam?

If you stop taking lorazepam suddenly, you may get side effects, such as: confusion having a seizure or fit depression feeling nervous or irritable sweating diarrhoea If you get any of these side effects, speak to a doctor. Important Do not stop taking lorazepam without talking to a doctor.

Are there other treatments I can try? Can I drink alcohol with it? Will recreational drugs affect it? Home Product Detail print. Product Detail. Strength: 0. Learn how to get this Teva generic Teva's generic medications are available in most pharmacies across the United States, though not all pharmacies carry the same Teva medications. Learn More. Lorazepam may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture not in the bathroom. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily.

To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.

Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to lorazepam. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital.

It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Lorazepam pronounced as lor a' ze pam. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose?

What side effects can this medication cause?