Side Effects of Ativan: Identifying Them and Taking Necessary Measures
Ativan, a popular medication used to treat anxiety and seizures, comes with a range of short- and long-term effects. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know about the long-term effects of Ativan.
Tolerance, Dependence, and Withdrawal
Taking Ativan for an extended period can lead to tolerance, where higher doses are needed to achieve the same effect, and physical dependence, where the body relies on the drug for normal functioning. Stopping Ativan suddenly can result in withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, insomnia, tremors, sweating, nausea, hallucinations, seizures, and rebound anxiety or insomnia [1][2].
Cognitive and Mood Impairments
Long-term use of Ativan can lead to cognitive impairment, including difficulties with memory, attention, and executive function. Mood disturbances such as emotional blunting, apathy, depression, aggression, and paranoia are also possible [1][3].
Physical Symptoms
Physical symptoms of long-term Ativan use include sedation, fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness, balance disorders, and slowed breathing [2][3][5]. Older adults may be particularly at risk of accidents and falls due to these impairments.
Serious Risks
Overdose or combined use with other depressants like alcohol or opioids can lead to serious risks, including respiratory failure, coma, or death [3][5].
Children and Ativan
While there's no specific evidence that children over 13 face different long-term side effects than adults, similar benzodiazepine risks apply since pharmacological effects are comparable across these age groups [1][2].
Precautions and Side Effects
Ativan carries several precautions, including a Boxed warning about the risk of misuse and addiction, the risk of dependence and withdrawal, and the risk of life-threatening side effects when taken with opioid drugs. Common side effects include nausea, headache, memory loss, sexual side effects, feeling restless, weakness, dizziness, sleepiness, depression, confusion, fatigue, hair loss, injection site reactions with Ativan injection, digestive symptoms, and mild allergic reaction [6].
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Ativan is not safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding as it may harm a fetus or cause side effects in a child.
In summary, the key long-term side effects of Ativan involve tolerance, dependence, cognitive and mood impairments, physical sedation and weakness, and serious withdrawal risks. It's crucial to discuss any concerns about Ativan use with a healthcare provider.
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support: call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org, text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741, call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
References: [1] FDA (2020). Highlights of Prescribing Information for Ativan (lorazepam). Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/019937s049lbl.pdf [2] Mayo Clinic (2021). Ativan (lorazepam). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/ativan-lorazepam/description/drg-20074163 [3] Drugs.com (2021). Ativan Side Effects. Retrieved from https://www.drugs.com/sfx/ativan-side-effects.html [4] MedlinePlus (2021). Ativan. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682447.html [5] NAMI (2021). Benzodiazepines. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Treatments/Mental-Health-Medications/Types-of-Medication/Benzodiazepines [6] MedlinePlus (2021). Ativan. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682447.html#side-effects
- Prolonged use of Ativan, a medication often prescribed for anxiety and seizures, can lead to tolerance and physical dependence, potentially causing distressing withdrawal symptoms upon sudden discontinuation, such as anxiety, agitation, insomnia, tremors, sweating, nausea, hallucinations, seizures, and rebound anxiety or insomnia.
- The long-term effects of Ativan on cognitive functions may include impairments in memory, attention, and executive functioning, as well as mood disturbances like emotional blunting, apathy, depression, aggression, and paranoia.
- In addition to issues with memory and mood, past users of Ativan have reported physical symptoms like sedation, fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness, balance disorders, and slowed breathing.
- Combining Ativan with other depressants like alcohol or opioids can escalate the risks, leading to dangerous consequences including respiratory failure, coma, or death.
- Although there's no specific evidence suggesting that children over 13 experience different long-term side effects from adults when using Ativan, they are still exposed to similar benzodiazepine risks due to comparable pharmacological effects.
