What is ATIVAN?
ATIVAN is a prescription medicine used:
- to treat anxiety disorders
- for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety or anxiety that can happen with symptoms of depression
It is not known if ATIVAN is safe and effective in children less than 12 years of age.
It is not known if ATIVAN is safe and effective for use for longer than 4 months.
What is the most important information I should know about ATIVAN?
ATIVAN can cause serious side effects. These serious side effects include:
- ATIVAN is a benzodiazepine medicine. Taking benzodiazepines with opioid medicines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants (including street drugs) can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems (respiratory depression), coma and death.
- ATIVAN can make you sleepy or dizzy, and can slow your thinking and motor skills.
- Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how ATIVAN affects you.
- Do not drink alcohol or take other drugs that may make you sleepy or dizzy while taking ATIVAN without first talking to your healthcare provider. When taken with alcohol or drugs that cause sleepiness or dizziness, ATIVAN may make your sleepiness or dizziness much worse.
- Depression. Pre-existing depression may emerge or worsen during use of benzodiazepines including ATIVAN
- Abuse and dependence. Taking ATIVAN can cause physical and psychological dependence. Physical and psychological dependence is not the same as drug addiction. Your healthcare provider can tell you more about the differences between physical and psychological dependence and drug addiction.
- Withdrawal symptoms. You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking ATIVAN suddenly. Withdrawal symptoms can be serious and include seizures. Mild withdrawal symptoms include a depressed mood and trouble sleeping. Talk to your healthcare provider about slowly stopping ATIVAN to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
- The most common side effects of ATIVAN include:
- sedation
- dizziness
- weakness
- unsteadiness
How should I take ATIVAN?
- Take ATIVAN exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much ATIVAN to take and when to take it.
- If you take too much ATIVAN, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
- Do not take more ATIVAN than prescribed.
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Important Safety Information
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- ATIVAN can cause you to be drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate heavy machinery until you know how ATIVAN affects you.
- You should not drink alcohol while taking ATIVAN. Drinking alcohol can increase your chances of having serious side effects.
- Do not take ATIVAN if you: are allergic to lorazepam, other benzodiazepines, or any of the ingredients in ATIVAN. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in ATIVAN.
Ask your healthcare provider if you do not know.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking ATIVAN?
Before you take ATIVAN, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have or have had depression, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or behavior
- have a history of drug or alcohol abuse or addiction
- have lung disease or breathing problems (such as COPD, sleep apnea syndrome)
- have liver or kidney problems
- have or have had seizures
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. ATIVAN may harm your unborn baby. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you should take ATIVAN while you are pregnant.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. ATIVAN passes into your breast milk and may harm your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take ATIVAN. You should not breastfeed while taking ATIVAN
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Taking ATIVAN with certain other medicines can cause side effects or affect how well ATIVAN or the other medicines work. Do not start or stop other medicines without talking to your healthcare provider.
General information about ATIVAN
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use ATIVAN for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give ATIVAN to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.
What are the ingredients in ATIVAN?
Active ingredient: Lorazepam