Ativan Side Effects

Ativan is an type of drug that may be used to provide an anti-anxiety effect. The drug family it belongs to is benzodiazepines. If you are allergy sensitive to this family of drugs, you should not use Ativan. Ativan can also help with depression that is affiliated with anxiety. There is a certain type of neurotransmitter in the brain known as GABA, which is what Ativan stimulates in order to provide a tranquil effect.

Ativan will cause birth defects as has been proven. It is also a drug that should not be given if you have asthma or other breathing disorders, kidney or liver disease, depression problems, a previous history of drug addiction, and any problems with suicidal thoughts or alcohol. No one should be drinking alcoholic beverages while under the influence of Ativan. Before your doctor prescribes Ativan, make sure that they have your complete medical history on file so that no other serious interactions can occur.

Ativan has also been known to be very addictive. Once you start therapy with this drug, it is not very easy to withdrawal from it. This drug has some very unpleasant side effects to it. Withdrawal symptoms when you do this without the guidance of your doctor are stomach pains, very intense anxiety, nightmares, panic attacks, a mouth that is very tender and sore. and paranoia. Withdrawal from this drug can also cause trouble with speaking and ringing in the ears, along with persistent sweating. NEVER go off from this drug without your doctor's careful advice on how to get off from it slowly. It is a general rule that Ativan should not really be used for the longer term due to the fact that it is very addicting.

Other Ativan side effects include sleeping disturbances, a lot of gastrointestinal problems such as bloating and diarrhea. Other troubles are possibly trouble with eyes and vision, your limbs feel very heavy, urgent food cravings, upset stomach, and a possible number or different skin problems. The list doesn't end there either. The drug has sometimes been reported as causing memory problems, coordination problems, a funny metallic taste in the mouth, and a loss of hair.

The starting dosage of Ativan is usually from 2 milligrams and gradually increased to 6 milligrams as needed for anxiety. Since Ativan is known to make a person tired, the best time to take this medication is at bedtime. Never take your Ativan dose and get behind the wheel of a car or operate machinery.