Ativan (At-iv-an) is a medicine which is used in premedication before surgery or investigative procedures, treating status epilepticus and treatment of anxiety, excitement or mania. Ativan contains lorazepam. It is supplied by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

The information in this Medicine Guide for Ativan varies according to the condition being treated and the particular preparation used.

To return to the list of conditions this medicine is used to treat, click here to show conditions.

We have information for a single preparation used in the treatment of anxiety. The preparation name is shown in red below.

Ativan 4mg/1ml solution for injection ampoules

Form: Injection

Regulated Information Patient Information Leaflet Summary of Product Characteristics

 

To get the most benefit from your medicine, take it exactly as prescribed. You should also take care to look after your medicine.

Ativan is a medicine which is used to treat anxiety, excitement, mania and status epilepticus. Ativan is also used as a pre-operative medication. Ativan is used in these conditions due to its anxiolytic, sedative, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant effects.

Ativan should only be used at the lowest possible dose for the shortest time possible. This will minimise the chance of dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

Some people, in the course of taking Ativan for anxiety, may find that an undiagnosed psychiatric condition, such as depression, becomes apparent. People who have a psychiatric condition and who are taking Ativan may experience some changes in behaviour.

If you are given Ativan before having surgery or an investigation it is important to have someone take you home.

Ativan is usually given to you by a healthcare professional. The person responsible for giving you your medicine will make sure that you get the right dose.

If you feel that the medicine is making you unwell or you do not think it is working, then talk to your prescriber or someone involved in your medical care.

The person with responsibility for giving you your medicine will make sure that you have your medicine at the prescribed times.

This medicine will be given to you as an injection. If you have any concerns about this medicine or how this will be given to you, talk to someone who is involved in your medical care.

Having extra doses of some medicines can be harmful. In some cases even one extra dose can cause you problems.

In the case of Ativan, the person who is responsible for giving you your medicine will make sure that you are given the correct dose.

Some people experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop having this medicine. The person in charge of your medical care will decide when to stop giving you this medicine and how best to minimise any withdrawal symptoms.

If you have any concerns about this, talk to someone who is involved in your care.

As Ativan will be given to you as an injection, it will usually be stored by the medical team.

Your prescriber will not give you this medicine if they know of any reasons why you must not take it. Sometimes it is necessary to prescribe this medicine with extra caution. For more information see the ‘Whether this medicine is suitable for you’ section.

If you have been prescribed this medicine you need to be aware of the side-effects that you could develop while taking this medicine. For more information see the 'Side-effects' section.

Ativan is not suitable for everyone and some people should never use it. Other people should only use it with special care. It is important that the person prescribing this medicine knows your full medical history.

Your prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all if you:

Furthermore the prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all for a child under 12 years of age or in a coma.

As part of the process of assessing suitability to take this medicine a prescriber may also arrange tests:

Over time it is possible that Ativan can become unsuitable for some people, or they may become unsuitable for it. If at any time it appears that Ativan has become unsuitable, it is important that the prescriber is contacted immediately.

A medicine is only made available to the public if the clinical trials have shown that the benefits of taking the medicine outweigh the risks.

Once a medicine has been licensed, information on the medicine's effects, both intended and unintended, is continuously recorded and updated.

Some side-effects may be serious while others may only be a mild inconvenience.

Everyone's reaction to a medicine is different. It is difficult to predict which side-effects you will have from taking a particular medicine, or whether you will have any side-effects at all. The important thing is to tell your prescriber or pharmacist if you are having problems with your medicine.

The frequency of these side-effects is unknown

• abnormal laboratory test results
• anaphylactic reactions including angioedema of the tongue or throat - these may be fatal and lead to breathing problems. Seek immediate medical advice if you have an anaphylactic reaction, have difficulty breathing or get swelling in the mouth or throat
• apnoea
• balance or coordination problems
• blood and bone marrow problems
• blurred vision
• breathing problems
• cardiac arrest
• confusion
• convulsions
• crying or sobbing
• double vision
• eye or eyesight problems
• faster breathing rate
• faster heart rate
• feeling dizzy
• feeling drowsy
• feeling restless
• gastrointestinal problems
• hallucinations
• hangover effect
• headache on waking
• heart or circulation problems
• injection site problems
• kidney problems
• liver problems
• lowered blood pressure
• memory problems
• metabolic problems
• paradoxical reactions - if you develop any paradoxical reaction, you should tell your prescriber. You should look out for: restlessness, agitation, irritability, aggressiveness, delusion, rage, nightmares, psychoses or inappropriate behaviour
• physical and psychological dependence - this may happen if Ativan is taken at a high dose for a long period of time
• precipitation of suicide in people with depression
• raised blood pressure
• reduced responsiveness
• respiratory arrest
• respiratory depression - this may be fatal
• seizures
• skin rash or rashes
• sweating
• uncovering depression
• withdrawal symptoms can occur when this medicine is stopped suddenly. These include headaches; muscle pain; anxiety; depression; insomnia; feeling restless, confused or irritable; sweating; derealisation; depersonalization; tinnitus; numbness and tingling of the extremities; hypersensitivity to light, noise and physical contact; problems controlling movement; vomiting; hallucinations or convulsions
• worsening of brain and central nervous system problems in people with liver problems

If you feel unwell or if you have concerns about a side-effect, you will need to seek advice. If you feel very ill, get medical help straight away. Contact your prescriber, pharmacist, nurse or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

If you have been prescribed this medicine you and your prescriber may need to think about whether you need to change any of your everyday activities. You must also discuss with your prescriber any other medicines and any complementary preparations you are taking.

If you are taking more than one medicine they may interact with each other. At times your prescriber may decide to use medicines that interact, in other cases this may not be appropriate.

The decision to use medicines that interact depends on your specific circumstances. Your prescriber may decide to use medicines that interact, if it is believed that the benefits of taking the medicines together outweigh the risks. In such cases, it may be necessary to alter your dose or monitor you more closely.

Tell your prescriber the names of all the medicines that you are taking so that they can consider all possible interactions. This includes all the medicines which have been prescribed by your GP, hospital doctor, dentist, nurse, health visitor, midwife or pharmacist. You must also tell your prescriber about medicines which you have bought over the counter without prescriptions.

The following medicines may interact with Ativan:

The following types of medicine may interact with Ativan:

If you are taking Ativan and one of the above medicines or types of medicines, make sure your prescriber knows about it.

Medicines can interact with complementary preparations and vitamins. In general, there is not much information available about interactions between medicines and complementary preparations or vitamins.

If you are planning to take or are already taking any complementary preparations and vitamins you should ask your prescriber whether there are any known interactions with Ativan.

Your prescriber can advise whether it is appropriate for you to take combinations that are known to interact. They can also discuss with you the possible effect that the complementary preparations and vitamins may have on your condition.

If you experience any unusual effects while taking this medicine in combination with complementary preparations and vitamins, you should tell your prescriber.

When taking any medicine you should be aware that it might interfere with your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.

In the case of Ativan:

You should see how this medicine affects you before you judge whether you are safe to drive or operate machinery. If you are in any doubt about whether you should drive or operate machinery, talk to your prescriber.

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your prescriber may advise you to avoid certain foods.

In the case of Ativan:

Alcohol can interact with certain medicines.

In the case of Ativan:

You must not drink any alcohol in the first 24 to 48 hours after having Ativan.

Taking this medicine could have an impact on your decisions relating to family planning, pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Most medicines, in some way, can affect the development of a baby in the womb. The effect on the baby differs between medicines and also depends on the stage of pregnancy that you have reached when you take the medicine.

In the case of Ativan:

You need to discuss your specific circumstances with your doctor to weigh up the overall risks and benefits of taking this medicine. You and your doctor can make a decision about whether you are going to take this medicine during pregnancy.

If the decision is that you should not have Ativan, then you should discuss whether there is an alternative medicine that you could take during pregnancy.

Certain medicines can pass into breast milk and may reach your baby through breast-feeding.

In the case of Ativan:

Before you have your baby you should discuss breast-feeding with your doctor or midwife. They will help you decide what is best for you and your baby based on the benefits and risks associated with this medicine. If you wish to breast-feed you should discuss with your prescriber whether there are any other medicines you could take which would also allow you to breast-feed. You should not stop this medicine without taking advice from your doctor.

Medicines contain active ingredients. They may also contain other, additional ingredients that help ensure the stability, safety and effectiveness of the medicine. Some may be used to prolong the life of the medicine.

Ativan contains:

If you are not able to take any of the ingredients in your medicine, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist to see if they can suggest an alternative medicine. If you have reacted badly to Ativan before, do not take Ativan. Talk to your prescriber, pharmacist or nurse as soon as possible.