Ativan Side Effects
Common side effects experienced by patients taking Ativan include:
- Dizziness
- Sedation
- Unsteadiness
- Weakness
There are other possible side effects to Ativan treatment, some of which include:
- Allergic skin reactions
- Amnesia
- Apnea
- Change in appetite
- Change in libido
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Decreased orgasm
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- Memory impairment
- Nausea
- Suicidal thoughts
- Tremor
- Vertigo
Things to Know, Precautions, Things to Ask Your Physician:
Ativan is not for use in patients younger than 12 years of age.
Ativan should be used for short periods only (2 to 4 weeks), and continuous, long-term treatment is not recommended.
Ativan is not recommended for use in patients with any of the following conditions:
- Hypersensitivity to other benzodiazepines, including alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), or oxazepam (Serax)
- Acute narrow-angle glaucoma
- Psychosis
- Primary depressive disorders
Ativan should be used with caution in patients with:
- A history of suicidal thoughts
- Depression, who are not receiving adequate anti-depressant treatment
- Kidney or liver impairment
- Respiratory conditions (COPD, sleep apnea, and others)
Withdrawal symptoms may occur if treatment with Ativan is stopped abruptly, even in cases where treatment has lasted as little as one week. Sign of withdrawal include:
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Numbness or tingling in the extremities
- Restlessness
- Sweating
- Tension
- Tremor
- Vomiting
What to Avoid When Taking the Drug:
Avoid alcohol while taking Ativan, as dangerous interactions and respiratory depression may occur.
Ativan may cause your tolerance for alcohol and other CNS depressants to be lowered.
Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while taking Ativan.
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May 9, 2011, 1:27 pm
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May 6, 2011, 1:37 pm
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May 5, 2011, 12:55 pm
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May 4, 2011, 1:29 pm
