Anxiety/OCD:

Indications for: ATIVAN

Anxiety.

Adult Dosage:

Give in 2 or 3 divided doses, with largest dose taken at bedtime. Individualize. Initially 2–3mg daily; range: 1–10mg daily. Elderly or debilitated: initially 1–2mg daily; adjust gradually if needed.

Children Dosage:

Not established.

ATIVAN Contraindications:

Acute narrow-angle glaucoma.

Boxed Warning:

Risks from concomitant use with opioids. Abuse, misuse, and addiction. Dependence and withdrawal reactions.

ATIVAN Warnings/Precautions:

Increased risk of drug-related mortality from concomitant use with opioids. Therapy for >4 months. Discontinue if paradoxical reactions occur. Primary depressive disorder or psychosis: not recommended. Suicidal tendencies (monitor). Renal or hepatic impairment. Compromised respiratory function. Seizure disorder. Reevaluate periodically. Monitor blood counts, liver function with long-term use. Assess patient's risk for abuse, misuse, addiction prior to and during therapy. Avoid abrupt cessation. Change dose gradually. Drug or alcohol abuse. Elderly. Debilitated. Neonatal sedation and withdrawal syndrome; monitor neonates exposed during pregnancy or labor. Pregnancy (esp. late stage). Nursing mothers: monitor infants.

ATIVAN Classification:

Benzodiazepine.

ATIVAN Interactions:

Increased sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death with concomitant opioids; reserve use in those for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate; if needed, limit dosages/durations to minimum and monitor. Potentiates CNS depression with alcohol, other CNS depressants (eg, barbiturates, antipsychotics, sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, others). Caution with clozapine. May be potentiated by probenecid or valproate (reduce lorazepam dose by 50%). May be antagonized by theophylline, aminophylline.

Adverse Reactions:

CNS depression (esp. sedation), dizziness, weakness, unsteadiness, transient memory impairment, confusion, disorientation, nausea, change in appetite, headache, sleep apnea; withdrawal reactions.

Metabolism:

Hepatic.

Drug Elimination:

Renal. Half-life: ~12 hours.

Generic Drug Availability:

YES

How Supplied:

Tabs 0.5mg, 2mg—100; 1mg—100, 1000