Ativan

What is Ativan?

The drug Ativan, a benzodiazepine, is a prescription anti-anxiety medication that works as a sedative, mild tranquilizer and central nervous system depressant. Ativan, the brand name for Lorazepam, is usually taken in either pill form or injected as a liquid.

Depending on the method of ingestion, Ativan's effects are usually immediate when administered intravenously, after half an hour when injected into the muscle and cases where it is taken orally, its effects tends to occur from two to six hours later.Ativan must only be administered via a doctor's prescription; it is highly addictive in nature if taken over a long period of time and if its use is not strictly monitored, it can lead to a chemical dependence both physically and psychologically.

Initially, chemical dependence may not be easy to recognize but signs of Ativan addiction include taking more than prescribed or trying to obtainthe drugillegally on the street or the Internet. Abuse and overuse of this potent antipsychoticcan possibly result inlethal side effects. When takenwith alcohol, Ativan significantly increases the effects associated with alcohol abuse.

Ativan Side Effects

• Sleepiness, dizziness and unsteadiness
• Nausea
• Clumsiness
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Eyesight problems
• Decreased or lack of recall of events while drug in effect
• Impaired memory function
• Depression
• Inappropriate or out-of-control behavior

• Alcohol--slows breathing rate, lowers blood pressure, can cause unconsciousness
• Narcotics, marijuana, tobacco--may increase sedation
• Clozaril(clozapine)--causes sedation and a loss of control and inhibitions
• Lithium--lowers body temperature
• Percocet--slows breathing rate
• Sedatives and other benzodiazepines--potential for overdose and even death

Ativan Withdrawal

• Convulsions
• Tremors
• Sweating
• Abdominal and muscle cramps

Ativan Addiction Treatment

Treatment for Ativan dependency and abuse should begin at a medically supervised drug detoxification program, which should be followed by admission to ativan addiction treatment center.

Find Ativan Addiction Treatment