What Is Ativan Used For?

Ativan, belonging to the class benzodiazepine is known for its calming and relaxing properties and is extensively used for relieving anxiety.

Apart from prescribing the medication for a particular purpose, it is also used in the treatment of epilepsy, insomnia, vomiting, and nausea due to cancer treatment, epilepsy, irritable bowel syndrome, control agitation, and alcohol withdrawal.

Ativan may not be suitable for everyone therefore it is wise to consult your doctor before you start the usage of this medication.

 How Should I Take Ativan?

It is available in the form of a tablet and as a solution. Doctors recommend the usage of this medication thrice per day in divided doses. It can be taken either with or without food as per the conditions of your health and as per the instructions of your doctor.

The right way to consume the solution is by using the dropper that comes along with the medication. The concentrate ought to be diluted either in water or juice or any carbonated beverages and should be consumed immediately without being kept out for later use.

 

Precautions To Be Followed Regarding Ativan Usage:

 

  • If a patient has allergic reactions to alprazolam, clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam, estazolam, oxazepam, flurazepam, temazepam, or any other medications belonging to the benzodiazepine family then you might suffer from an allergic reaction from Ativan usage too. Before you start the usage of this prescription drug, ask your doctor about the ingredients and whether it might cause any adverse effects to your health.

 

  • You need to inform your doctor if you are taking any sort of medication apart from this be it prescription, non-prescription, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. These specific medications should be taken into consideration while taking Ativan: digoxin, Ritary, medicines for depression, seizures, Parkinson’s disease, colds, asthma, oral contraceptives, sedatives, tranquilizers, and valproic acid. If you are taking the above-said medication your doctor will adjust either of the dosage amounts or prescribe an alternate medication.
  • It is not recommended for use in those having narrow-angle and wide-angle glaucoma.

 

  • Do not take the medicine if you’ve had a history of seizures, heart, lung, or liver disorders.

 

  • Let your primary care physician know if you are pregnant or anticipate becoming pregnant. The medication is known to cause adverse effects on the unborn or newborn child.

 

  • It is not advisable for use in patients above the age of 65. The higher the age the lower the dose should be prescribed for them as the high effectiveness of the medication can cause serious side effects in the user.

 

  • If you have undergone any surgeries or are to undergo them, tell your doctor promptly about them too.

 

  • One of the after-effects of the medicine is to make one feel drowsy, so it is highly recommended to not drive a car or operate any sort of heavy machinery.

 

Should There Be Any Dietary Changes While Taking Ativan?

Ativan is capable of interacting with certain foods and drugs. It is wise to consult your doctor and talk to them about your dietary concerns about whether or not to take certain kinds of foods. Consumption of alcohol, using anesthetics, antidepressants, barbiturates, and antipsychotics can increase the chances of you having serious adverse effects such as memory issues, confusion, memory loss, and difficulty in breathing.

 Avoid eating grapefruit while under Ativan prescription. The components are known to interact with the fruit increasing the effects of the medication as well as the toxicity leading to high adverse effects of the medication. Similarly,  potential adverse effects also occur in people consuming alcohol simultaneously.

 Ativan can be taken with or without food relying upon your ailment. Your doctor will prescribe the dosage depending on the severity of your condition.

 Coffee consumption should be limited while taking Ativan as caffeine interferes with its effectiveness. Caffeine drinks such as coffee, cola, or energy drinks should be avoided as a combination of Ativan and caffeine can cause anxiety and sleep issues.

 There has been no interaction between Ativan and Vitamin D3 but that does not mean they do not exist, so consult your physician before taking them together.

 

Caution While Using Ativan:

Ativan has the potential to develop tolerance and if taken for a long time can even lead to addiction. Take the prescription precisely as recommended by your doctor and do not increase or lessen the dose amounts voluntarily.

Be consistent in taking the medication and take the same dosage amounts every day for the prescribed duration of time.

 It is possible to overdose on the medication therefore one should always follow the dosage regimen exactly as prescribed by their doctor.