Ativan (also known as Lorazepam) is a medication whose primary purpose is to treat anxiety – basically, your nervous system slows down, and you worry less about your past, present, and future. Despite all the positive impacts of this drug, there are side effects that do not always depend on the age of the patient, other medications they take for other disorders and conditions, or the dosage of the drug.
In our guide we will learn more about the adverse effects of Ativan, examine how it impacts the body and the mind of the person who takes it, and understand the specifics of addiction to this type of medication. We will also discover how Lorazepam may impact blood pressure, look at its potential effects on cardiovascular health, and key factors to consider when managing hypertension.
What Are the Side Effects of Ativan?
Lorazepam side effects – unintended and unwanted consequences of using a drug – may vary from patient to patient. They also depend on the dosage of the medication the person took – the higher the dosage, the more likely it is the individual will cope with various issues. The most common Ativan adverse reactions are as follows:
- Dizziness, fatigue, and headaches – you may feel much weaker and incapable of performing tasks the way you are used to. High blood pressure is another side effect that doctors warn you about – make sure you mention hypertension to your physician as soon as you can.
- Gastrointestinal issues – nausea is one of the mildук symptoms while vomiting and diarrhea are severe yet rare; a patient may also develop constipation.
- Cognitive troubles – it is possible your thoughts will be confused, your mind will be racing, and your memorization skills are impaired while Ativan stays in your system.
Ativan Effects on the Body
The positive effects Lorazepam will cause include relaxation of muscles, elimination of muscle pain, and prevention of seizures that may threaten the life of the person – when a doctor prescribes you Ativan, you can trust this drug to be effective in the right dosage.
However, since Ativan may make the person drowsy, clumsy, and disoriented, it increases the chances the individual gets accidentally injured – the physical sensations of the person on Ativan can be compared to the state of drunkenness – in both cases, the individual may have blurry vision and struggle with their coordination.
Patients prescribed to take Ativan must be particularly careful when they operate heavy machinery or engage in other activities that may harm them and people around them – their physical functions may be affected even further if the individual takes other sedatives or drinks alcohol.
Ativan Effects on the Mind
Ativan adverse reactions will be evident both for the individual taking the medication and others around them – despite the fact that it helps with anxiety and jitteriness, your emotional state may not be the same one you are used to. Research has shown that many patients feel empty and lack the energy to participate in activities and events they enjoy after taking Lorazepam to be able to sleep at night.
If the dosage is not calculated correctly or this is just the wrong benzodiazepine for this particular individual, they will feel confused and tired. Moreover, sometimes the medication backfires – anxiety returns, sleep patterns are broken once more, and the patient is agitated and worried until the drug is out of their system.
Is Ativan Overdose Possible?
Unfortunately, if you misuse Ativan, an overdose may occur – in case you are not following the specific instructions of the doctor or you have access to this drug and are using it without medical supervision, your body might become overwhelmed by the medication you took.
Remember that you do not have to worry about overdose if you are guided in your recovery by a mental health professional. Make sure you always take the right dosage – a high dose of Lorazepam may be fatal for a patient, in particular when this person decides to combine this medication with other drugs whose side effects can be unpredictable. Research has shown that Lorazepam abuse risks are higher for people who often mix Ativan with alcohol, drugs whose purpose is to relieve pain, antidepressants and similar benzodiazepines meant to treat anxiety, and sleeping pills.
Signs of Ativan Overdose
It is vitally important to recognize Lorazepam overdose symptoms to provide urgent medical assistance to a person in need – here is what you should be on the lookout for if you suspect someone in your vicinity is going through an Ativan overdose:
- Extreme drowsiness, vertigo, and lethargy. An overdosed individual will struggle to stand up and even sit straight, their head will be spinning, and they will feel exhausted for no apparent reason for them to be tired.
- Sudden changes in behavior. Overdose will cause irritability, nervous excitement, and in the most extreme cases, panic attacks.
- Physical complications. Slowed heart rate and low blood pressure, low breathing rate, and hyporeflexia (muscles do not respond to various stimuli) are clear indications of an Ativan overdose.
Ativan Withdrawal
When you take Ativan for a considerable amount of time, your body becomes accustomed to it – physically and mentally you adapt to the presence of this medication in your system, and you may struggle to take care of your regular duties when there is no drug available for you to take. An abrupt dose reduction or full discontinuation of use might cause withdrawal – various mental and physical complications that often require medical intervention. Here is a list of the most common Ativan discontinuation symptoms you may experience:
- Psychological issues. From anxiety and intense stress to the rapid development of panic disorder, your mental health will be at risk – some of these manifestations may result in consequences for your physical health, such as high blood pressure or lightheadedness.
- Behavioral changes. Whether you are prone to mood fluctuations or not, when you are going through a Lorazepam withdrawal, you feel angry, irritated by insignificant occurrences, and too agitated to fall asleep or sleep longer than a few hours at a time.
- Physical challenges. Muscle stiffness may be the least of your problems – excessive sweating, tremors, and seizures happen when the withdrawal is severe and a doctor is not helping the person to go through the Ativan detox process. A rapid heart rate and heart palpitations will also be a cause for concern especially for patients whose hearts have not been in perfect health.
Help for Ativan Addiction
Lorazepam addiction treatment should be selected based on the symptoms of the patient and their medical history but usually it encompasses the following methods of treatment:
| Approach | Description |
| Medical Supervision | Although the Ativan withdrawal timeline depends on the dosage the person has gotten used to as well as their health in general, within three or four days since the last administration of this drug you may experience the most serious symptoms – seek professional help, and the doctor will ensure the withdrawal symptoms are minimized |
| Residential Treatment | In the most severe cases of addiction, staying at a rehabilitation center where you are monitored round-the-clock and get to attend therapy on a daily basis while your body is going through drug detox and adjusting to your healthy lifestyle can be the best solution for a patient |
| Individual Counseling | Open up to a therapist – they will be able to pinpoint the causes of your addiction and explore coping mechanisms designed for people in your position to prevent relapses and continue with their recovery for years to come |
| Group Therapy | Whether you were struggling with Ativan adverse reactions in the past or you are worried about challenges that may appear in the future now that you are not relying on drugs to cope with anxiety or insomnia, talking to your peers who have gone through the same experience may be very therapeutic |
| Lifestyle Changes | In case one of the consequences of Ativan addiction and its use, in general, was its negative impact on your cardiovascular health, you should keep your hypertension under control – exercise to get rid of extra weight, limit the amount of alcohol you are consuming, sleep eight hours per night, and quit smoking |
FAQs
- What are the main uses of Lorazepam?
The purpose of this medication is to help patients with anxiety – Ativan has a calming influence on the nerves and brain of the patient, they worry less, sleep more, and no longer have panic attacks that bothered them in the past.
- Is it possible to overdose on Ativan?
It is essential to follow the instructions the doctor provides you with regarding the use of Lorazepam – like many other prescription drugs, it is highly potent and may cause seizures and coma if administered incorrectly.
- What are the Ativan dependence signs?
If you are worried someone else close to you may be addicted to Ativan, pay attention to their behavior – they will keep using Lorazepam in doses higher than prescribed, spend a long time recovering from the drug once it is administered, and put their life on hold as they are focusing on this medication at the expense of their personal and professional aspirations.
- Can Lorazepam long-term effects hurt my cardiovascular system?
Patients with various cardiovascular diseases must warn their physicians about their diagnoses before getting an Ativan prescription – in certain cases, it causes hypertension or hypotension, impacts heart rhythm, and even increases the odds of cardiac arrest.
- Should I seek help for my Ativan addiction?
Although initially you may benefit from Lorazepam and the stress relief it brings you, it is easy to develop an addiction to this medication just like it happens with many antidepressants whose dosage is supposed to be regulated. Luckily, addiction treatment helps people recover from their dependence without major complications in the future – reach out to a mental health professional and free yourself from addiction.
