Get Informed: Ativan

141

Patient Comments about
Ativan

Active Ingredient(s)

Lorazepam

What does it do?

Ativan

This product is primarily used for the treatment of anxiety. It is a benzodiazepine medication, and works at multiple sites in the brain.

Last Text Update:
 2010-Mar-21 12:33 AM
Last Data Update:
 2010-Mar-20 9:02 PM

Other Names

  • Ativan
  • Lorazepam

How Safe Is It?

Your Risk Rating
Please log in
Average Risk Rating
4: Elevated
Pregnancy Category:
D
Black Box Warning:
No

Facts & Figures

Date Approved
30 Sep 1977
Est US Patients*
1,962,000
Generic Available
Yes
OTC Available
No

User Age Distribution*

5

< 21

16

21-39

42

40-59

37

60+

Age (Years)

* Estimated number of US people currently taking Ativan or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.

Other Resources

Recent alerts for Ativan

There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Ativan during the past year.

Ativan Safety Report

4: Elevated

The iGuard risk rating for Ativan is orange. This rating takes into account the fact that Ativan has been associated with high rates of dependence, and should be managed carefully. It means that Ativan should normally be used cautiously to minimize the risk of serious side effects.

Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings

  • Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Ativan interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.

What is Ativan used for?

iGuard is currently tracking more than 13,000 patients that use Ativan (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.

Disease / Condition % Average Severity
Anxiety 92% 6
Insomnia 38% 5
Bipolar Disorder 7% 6
Restless Leg Syndrome 3% 8
Other 7% 7

How well does Ativan work?

iGuard regularly polls our more than 13,000 users taking Ativan (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iGuard.org.

Average Satisfaction Score

(out of 10)

Average Effectiveness Score

(out of 10)

64 67
78%
of patients are confident that the good things about Ativan outweigh the bad things.
15%
of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Ativan.

Common Side Effects of Ativan

iGuard regularly polls our more than 13,000 users taking Ativan (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.

19%

19% of patients experience side-effects on Ativan

2%

2% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Ativan


Most Common Side Effects...

  • 5% Fatigue
  • 5% Drowsiness
  • 5% Withdrawal Problems
  • 5% Anxiety
  • = 10%

Less than 1%: Grogginess/Confusion, Headache, Urinary Frequency


Global Patient Feedback for Ativan (Lorazepam) ( Post a comment )

Comments, Questions, and Answers
Show Newest | Oldest first

Question/Comment:

I took Lorazepam to lower my heart rate when I was diagnosed as having anxiety attacks, but further tests showed that I had super ventricular tachycardia. I had an ablation done and no more runaway heart rate!, but the Lorazepam would lower my heart rate from 180 to 70 in 10 to 15 minutes.

71 yr. old male

71 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-03-12 00:50:14

Question/Comment:

I am currenty being treated for bipolar disorder. My daily regimen is 500mg depakote, 10mg lorazepam, and 225mg of effexor xr. On top of that,I also take 1,500mg of metformin. So far so good with the regimen, but I will say, my head tends to be a bit more foggy these days. Either way, I was diagnosed with the disorder 13 years ago, and am just now getting to fine tune a treatment that is working. The doctor is considering adding Seraquil as well. Has anyone else had such a heavy med load?

24 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-12-10 09:18:56

iGuard Answer/Reply:

Taking the medications that you listed, in addition to Seroquel, is not an unusually high amount of medication. Many patients do very well on Seroquel, and you may find it will help to "fine tune" your treatment even more. It is indicated for bipolar disorder, and if your doctor feels that it will be beneficial, then consider taking it. However, it may be worthwhile to discuss the side effects of the Seroquel with your doctor so that you weigh them against the benefits and then make a decision.

Posted: 2009-12-12 22:34:58

Question/Comment:

Does Lorazepram cause memory problems?

54 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-09-06 21:30:03

Answer/Reply:

OH YEAH, BELIEVE IT. IM 46 BEEN TAKING ATIVAN FOR TWO YEARS AND I CAN SAY THAT WITHOUT A DOUBT IT HAS CERTAINLY CAUSED ME MEMORY PROBLEMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

46 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-12-03 23:53:21

Answer/Reply:

I don't remember! seriously sometimes

60 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-02-18 14:22:10

Question/Comment:

Has anyone had any problems taking metrolprolol and glucophage? I hope I'm not the only one that has flipped out with it. Since I've stopped My head has cleared up, and feel so much better. Caused depression and related stress problems. Confusion, loss of memory, shakey, unable to relate well to others. etc. Please help. 74 yo. female

74 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-08-20 22:00:10

Question/Comment:

i have been taking lorazepam since August 2004.i have trouble falling asleep and it is a godsend for me. the only drugs my (former) doctor prescribed me were antidepressants. he tried to shove it down my throat that i was depressed when in fact i was not. i was (and still am) happy,but i just could not fall to sleep. anyway i was referred to a more compassionate doctor and he diagnosed me with a anxiety disorder and prescribed me 2mg lorazepam at bedtime and 2mg Xanax XR (24 hr timerelease) upon waking up. i have been on this regimen since then with no problems.i dont walk the floor all the time or stutter anymore. i also sleep well and dont abuse my meds.

47 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-07-30 21:59:56

Answer/Reply:

no

19 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-08-09 18:52:55

Answer/Reply:

Although Lorazepam is a relativly safe medication when taken as directed, if you "must" take it every day, even with the Dr's permission, you're hooked. Try a workout(1/2 - 1 hr.) on a treadmill at least 3 times a week, and you may find that you will need the Lorazepam less often.

69 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-08-24 20:53:37

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DISCLAIMER: iGuard is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. iGuard cannot and does not take into consideration every possible interaction or account for individual responses to medicine. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have before making any changes to your treatment. The use of the iGuard site and its content is at your own risk. The iGuard site and the information contained in it is intended for users in the United States and information in other countries may be different.

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