Get Informed: Ativan

66

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:
 2009-Nov-21 12:27 AM
Last Data Update:
 2009-Nov-20 6:53 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*
2,043,000
Generic Available
Yes
OTC Available
No

User Age Distribution*

6

< 21

15

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 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.org is currently tracking more than 11,900 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 70% 5
Insomnia 23% 6
Panic Disorder 13% 6
Restless Leg Syndrome 4% 5
Bipolar Disorder 4% 5
Muscle Spasms 3% 5
Other 13% 6

How well does Ativan work?

iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 11,900 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)

73 72
83%
of patients are confident that the good things about Ativan outweigh the bad things.
18%
of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Ativan.

Common Side Effects of Ativan

iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 11,900 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.

23%

23% of patients experience side-effects on Ativan

1%

1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Ativan


Most Common Side Effects...

  • 5% Drowsiness
  • 5% Fatigue
  • 5% Memory/Speech Problems
  • = 10%

Less than 1%: Addiction, Dizziness, Dry Mouth, Headache, Nausea/Vomiting, Sexual Problems, Shortness of Breath


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

Comments, Questions, and Answers
Show Newest | Oldest first

Question/Comment:

Does Lorazepram cause memory problems?

53 year old Female

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

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

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.

46 year old Male

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

Answer/Reply:

no

19 year old Female

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

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

Question/Comment:

I have used Lorazepam for at least 15 years. Originally I would take 1 mg 30 minutes before boarding an aircraft. I was afraid of flying but had to fly once a week. Now I'm retired I take .5 mg 30 minutes before sleeping, and it helps me by allowing me to go back into a sleep if I have to get up to go to the bathroom. I have never considered it addictive.

66 year old male.

67 year old Male

Posted: 2009-07-29 20:02:16

Answer/Reply:

Lorazepam is a controlled substance, of course...it is addictive! I'm surprised the physician or pharmacist never mentioned that to you. I occasionally take it to sleep but mainly use it when I get a migraine headache.

59 Year old female

60 year old Female

Posted: 2009-08-18 14:31:58

Question/Comment:

Greetings: I am a 70 year old male with enlarged postrate of several years duration. I have been taking Cipro in courses of 7 days which relieves the high fever, etc, but when I finish the course of meds, in about 2 weeks, the fever, discomfort returns? Any suggestions, contra-indicated reactions, etc.
Thank You and Best Regards
Bill

71 year old Male

Posted: 2009-05-29 11:30:06

Answer/Reply:

actually thereare several meds that shrink the prostate ,get a bretter Dr the one you have quacks. There is also a very good operation ,they just take a small (V) snip out of the prostate so that the urine can flow easily and that usually cures the problem, it has been used for quite a while Get a good urologist .

68 year old Male

Posted: 2009-06-14 13:02:36

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