Facts About Ativan and How it's Used.

Ativan, otherwise known by its generic name of Lorazepam, is commonly used to treat anxiety disorders by balancing out the chemicals in the brain that cause anxiety. It's also used as a mild tranquilizer or sedative to calm the central nervous system down. It's available as a pill but it's also available in liquid form that can be injected into the body.

Ativan is a prescription that has to be given by a doctor after they have diagnosed their patient. It's dangerous for women who are pregnant and can cause birth defects if it's consumed. It's also not suitable for individuals who have certain health problems, including breathing problems or kidney disease.

How will a doctor prescribe Ativan?

When visiting a doctor, patients will have to answer questions about their health. This will include whether or not they have a history of addiction, if they have a disease, if they have glaucoma and many other questions. Individuals who do experience these sort of health issues can still take Ativan, but their dosage will be adjusted accordingly. Doctors may also administer certain tests in order to determine whether or not medication is safe for their patient.

How is Ativan administered?

The liquid form of this will have to be use a measuring spoon in order to make sure the dosage is correct. This can then be swallowed and taken as needed based on what the doctor prescribes. It's not meant to be taken for an extended period of time because it can be habit forming. The pill form of this medication only needs to be swallowed with a glass of water as directed by a physician.

Side Effects

Not everyone will experience side effects when taking this; it really depends on the individual. Allergic reactions can also occur and cause hives, swelling of the face and other issues. Emergency medical attention should be called right away if this does happen. Some of the most common side effects include:

• Confusion
• Light-headed feelings
• Hallucinations
• Hyperactivity
• Depression
• Thoughts of suicide
• Blurred vision
• Muscle weakness
• Appetite changes
• Amnesia

There are many other side effects that may occur; those that are serious will require medical attention. Problems with health may result in a different type of medication needing to be prescribed.

Addiction

As with all prescriptions that are available today, Ativan can become an addictive drug for many patients. It's one of the top abused sedatives that is commonly prescribed in the country today. It can easily create feelings of depression and suicide attempts in individuals who take too much of it. Over time a habit can form, which will result in taking more and more of this prescription on a daily basis.

Mixing Ativan with other prescriptions can be extremely dangerous and even deadly in some cases. It should only be used by individuals who have seen a doctor and have gotten a prescription. Once a prescription has ran out, the doctor will determine whether or not a refill is needed or if a different prescription is required. Most doctors will not prescribe this particular drug for long periods of time because it can become so addictive.

Someone who has a need to increase their dosage of Ativan will be at risk for addiction. Many people will even get refills based on false symptoms they tell their doctor about. Anyone who wants to get help will have to go through rehab in order to overcome the problems that will arise. Unfortunately, coming off of this can mean dealing with a number of harmful withdrawal symptoms. These can be severe in some cases and even result in death for some.

Withdrawal Side Effects:

• Dizziness
• Numbness
• Confusion
• Headache
• Seizures
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Heart palpitations

If someone who is addicted goes into a rehab center, they will be given medications to reduce these symptoms. Generally this can make the process of withdrawal a lot less difficult than it would be otherwise. More people succeed when they go into rehab because they are surrounded by medical professionals as well as therapists. The combination of these different treatments will help reduce the need for Ativan and make starting a new life without it easier. Addiction isn't something everyone develops, but it can be for individuals who increase dosages.