Ativan (Pfizer) 2mg

Description

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Ativan if you have:

• narrow-angle glaucoma; or
• a history of allergic reaction to any benzodiazepine (lorazepam, alprazolam, diazepam, Valium, Xanax, Versed, Klonopin, and others).

To make sure Ativan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, or other breathing disorder;
• drug or alcohol addiction;
• depression, mental illness or psychosis, mood changes, or suicidal thoughts or actions;
• seizures;
• an allergy to aspirin or yellow food dye; or
• kidney or liver disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you use Ativan during pregnancy, your baby could be born with life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, and may need medical treatment for several weeks.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of lorazepam on the baby.

If you do breastfeed, tell your doctor if you notice drowsiness, feeding problems, or slow weight gain in the nursing baby.

What should I avoid while taking Ativan?

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how Ativan will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Ativan side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Ativan: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Lorazepam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

Ativan may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe drowsiness;
• unusual changes in mood or behavior, being agitated or talkative;
• sudden restless feeling or excitement;
• seizures, depression, thinking problems, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
• confusion, aggression, hallucinations;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• vision changes; or
• dark urine, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Drowsiness or dizziness may last longer in older adults. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury.

Common Ativan side effects may include:

• dizziness, sedation, drowsiness;
• weakness; or
• feeling unsteady.

After you stop using Ativan, seek medical help right away if you have symptoms such as: unusual muscle movements, being more active or talkative, sudden and severe changes in mood or behavior, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, suicidal thoughts or actions.

Some withdrawal symptoms may last up to 12 months or longer after stopping Ativan suddenly. Tell your doctor if you have ongoing anxiety, depression, problems with memory or thinking, trouble sleeping, ringing in your ears, a burning or prickly feeling, or a crawling sensation under your skin.