Description

Ativan is a trading name of the active ingredient Lorazepam. This is a sedative product used in neurological and psychiatric practice.

Ativan is a benzodiazepine drug with apparent sedative action. It helps to relax, reduce muscle spasms, lower the agitation of the central nervous system, inhibit anxiety and fear. A number of relapses of epilepsy is significantly reduced in patients taking Ativan.

A therapeutic effect of Ativan does not appear instantly. In the body, this drug is absorbed in the gastro-intestinal tract, and its active metabolites reach the receptors of the spinal cord. This way, it interacts with benzodiazepine receptors and enhances a production of gamma-aminobutyric acid, a main regulator of the central nervous system. An improvement of the symptoms of the neurological/psychological disorder occurs in about 7-10 days after the started treatment.

Ativan reduces an agitation of the reflectory system of the central nervous system and lowers an agitation of subcortex responsible for the emotional reactions. This way, an optimal therapeutic effect is achieved that calms down and brings stability.

Ativan shows good results in the therapy of the various psychoemotional and neurological disorders:

• generalized anxiety disorder
• Social phobia
• dystonia
• emotional disorders (psychosis, nervosa)
• somatic disorders caused by central nervous system disorders
• Insomnia

A main advantage of Ativan is a non-toxic action which seldom causes side effects.

In what dose is Ativan used?

Ativan is produced in tablets/capsules for the oral use, in the dose of 1 mg and 2 mg. Even the use of the minimal daily dose brings an apparent sedative effect, and therefore patients are usually prescribed a tablet of Ativan 1 mg 2-3 times per day.

If there is no therapeutic effect within 2 weeks, or it is weak, a dose of Ativan is increased up to 2 mg 2-3 times per day. The maximal daily dose of Ativan is 6 mg. The maximal dose may be used for a short period, not more than 3 weeks. A dose is lowered during the improved disease symptoms.

If insomnia, Ativan 1 mg is used 30 minutes before sleeping, one per day.

The maximal duration of the therapy with Ativan is 7 weeks. If the treatment should be continued, a medicine should be replaced. If you neglect this, a tolerance will develop and the dose should be increased in order to maintain a therapeutic effect, and this will cause a medical addiction.

 

Precautions

• Ativan should be used every day without missing a dose. It is required to achieve a stable sedative effect
• In order to avoid an excessive sedative effect, do not consume alcohol, sedatives, narcotic analgesics or other tranquilizers during the use of Ativan
• Using Ativan during pregnancy, a patient may have suicidal thoughts. It happens due to the excessive inhibition of the central nervous system. So, consult a psychotherapist before the treatment
• Pathologies of the respiratory system, heart/hepatic failure, pregnancy, and age under 18 are contraindications for the use of Ativan

Side effects

Due to the treatment, a patient may experience side effects related to the increased sedative effect: lack of energy, lethargy, drowsiness, muscle weakness, dizziness, decreased blood pressure, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The side effects are usually light/moderate and do not cause a severe discomfort.