Ativan side effects: What they are and what to do about them

By February 10, 2023July 29th, 2024Sober living

ativan and alcohol

Ativan is typically prescribed as a short-term treatment. Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with Ativan. You should refer to the prescribing information for Ativan for a complete list of interactions. 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. If recommended by your doctor, you may be able to receive a 90-day supply of Ativan, so there’s less concern about running out of the medication.

More About Drugs and Medications

Hallucinations refer to experiencing things that aren’t real. If you’re receiving an Ativan injection and experience nausea, tell your doctor or another healthcare professional. Before starting Ativan treatment, tell your doctor if you take any opioid medications. They will only prescribe Ativan with opioids if there are no other treatment options for your condition. If you experience any of the above side effects, it’s important to seek medical treatment right away.

Ativan (Lorazepam) and Alcohol: Risks, Interactions & Treatment

If you experience any of these severe side effects while taking Ativan, contact your doctor immediately. Ativan comes as tablets and as a liquid that users can swallow. It can also be given as an injection in hospitals for patients with epilepsy who are having seizures. Join 40,000+ People Who Receive Our Newsletter Get valuable resources on addiction, recovery, wellness, and our treatments delivered directly to your inbox.

Lorazepam and Alcohol Interactions

  1. If you have breathing problems, your doctor may prescribe a drug other than Ativan for you.
  2. If you’re older, or if you might be at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, talk with your medical professional about this.
  3. Serious side effects from Ativan aren’t common, but they can occur.
  4. Ativan oral tablets are FDA-approved for the short-term treatment of insomnia that’s caused by anxiety or stress.
  5. If you’ve been taking Ativan regularly for a long time, talk with your doctor about other medication options, and how you might be able to stop taking Ativan.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about withdrawal symptoms and how to manage them. The government has created special rules for how Schedule IV drugs can be prescribed by a doctor and dispensed by a pharmacist. Ativan and Valium both belong to the class of drugs called benzodiazepines.

ativan and alcohol

Lorazepam precautions

Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries. There’s a risk you will not be able to breathe properly, and may have difficulty waking up. Even if your ability to drive is not affected, the police have the right to request a saliva sample to check how much lorazepam is in your body. Lorazepam will not affect any contraception, including the combined pill, progestogen-only pill or emergency contraception. There are also different types of talking therapies for anxiety, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and counselling.