What is Ativan?

Ativan is a brand name of lorazepam, a member of a group of medications called benzodiazepines. It is prescribed for anxiety.¹

What Does Ativan Do? Does it work?

Benzodiazepines are thought to affect some chemicals in the brain which cause a hypnotic or sedative effect.²

A 1978 study reported that lorazepam (Ativan) relieved symptoms of anxiety at higher rates than placebo.³

What should I go over with my doctor before I decide to take Ativan?

All benzodiazepines can cause or worsen depression, and may make some patients suicidal. Benzodiazepines are addictive and patients who stop taking them may experience withdrawal symptoms.⁴

Benzodiazepines may interfere with patients’ respiration and can cause fatal respiratory depression. Elderly patients are more prone to respiratory depression and more likely to experience adverse effects.⁵

Patients taking benzodiazepines may develop a tolerance to the drug and due to this, patients taking these drugs are prone to developing dependence. The FDA recommends that benzodiazepines should be prescribed for short periods only.⁶

In 2007, the FDA issued a warning on lorazepam (Ativan) in particular, that it was linked to risks for dependency, withdrawal “effects” and interactions with other drugs. The warning discussed risk of suicide and fatal respiratory depression.⁷

What if I’m already taking Ativan?

Never stop taking any prescription medication without talking to your doctor first. If you are already taking Ativan and are concerned about side effects, talk to your doctor.

Learn everything you can about Ativan before you start taking it.

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¹ Food and Drug Administration, “Ativan” (Revised March 2007, retrieved 21 October 2012), http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/017794s034s035lbl.pdf
² Modern Anesthetics, Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, Olkkola K.T. and Ahonen J., http://www.springerlink.com/content/p067463653t88154/
³ J Clin Psychiatry, “Clinical assessment of the safety and efficacy of lorazepam, a new benzodiazepine derivative, in the treatment of anxiety,” (October 1978), http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30763
⁴ Food and Drug Administration, “Ativan” (Revised March 2007, retrieved 21 October 2012), http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/017794s034s035lbl.pdf
⁵ Ibid.
⁶ Ibid.
⁷ Medscape, “FDA Safety Changes: Ativan, Femara, Invirase” (retrieved 22 October 2012), http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/560744