Ativan Drug
Ativan belongs to the benzodiazepine group of drugs and its pharmacological name is Lorazepam. Lorazepam is a highly potent benzodiazepine drug which possesses all the five intrinsic actions of benzodiazepines like anxiolysis, anticonvulsant property, muscle relaxation, amnesis, and hypnosis or sedation.
The indications for Ativan are generally in the short term treatment of anxiety disorders, insomnia, for premedication before surgeries and certain dental procedures and endoscopy and for treating status epilepticus.
Ativan is available in the doses of 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 2 mg tablets. The commonly used dosage is 2 to 6 mg which is administered in divided doses. The largest dosage should be given during bedtime and the remaining dosage should be adjusted accordingly. For anxiety the initial dose is 2 to 3 mg per day divided into twice or thrice daily dose. For insomnia, a single dose of 2 – 4 mg given at bedtime is the ideal dose.
The side effects of Ativan are CNS depression, respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, constipation, ataxia, vertigo, diplopia or double vision, apnea, impotence, increased liver enzymes levels, allergic reactions and agranulocytosis.
Ativan also causes withdrawal symptoms if the patient is on Ativan for more than 4 weeks and then abruptly stops it. It also causes benzodiazepine dependence if used in higher doses for a long time. Ativan may also cause addiction and rebound effects.
Ativan should not be used concomitantly with other CNS depressants like barbiturates, antipsychotics and anticonvulsants. Theophylline and aminophylline reduce the sedative effect of Ativan.
Ativan is contraindicated in patients with acute narrow angle glaucoma and those allergic to benzodiazepine drugs. It is also to be avoided in pregnancy and during lactation.