Lorazepam Side Effects
Most people who take lorazepam find that they have no side effects at all. However, it is still possible for side effects to occur when taking this medication. Side effects that are more common include unsteadiness, dizziness and weakness. There are also more serious side effects of Lorazepam and if you notice any side effects, you should tell your doctor right away. Some of the more serious side effects include seizures and thoughts of suicide.
The Basics of the Side Effects of Lorazepam
Lorazepam is the name of the generic drug commonly known as
Ativan. It is part of the group of drugs known as
benzodiazepines. Other brand name drugs in this group include:
Valium,
Xanax,
Klonopin,
Serax. Lorazepam is a prescription medication that is most often used as a treatment for
seizures, to reduce
anxiety problems of varying severity, treat
panic attacks, and calm the body and encourage
muscle relaxation. This medication is also often used to help ease alcohol withdrawal symptoms, insomnia, as well as many other conditions.
As is the case with all medications, there are possible side effects of lorazepam, but not everyone who takes this medication will notice them. It has been found that many people have no problems at all with this medicine. If you do notice any
lorazepam side effects, most of the time they are minor and don't require any treatment at all or can be easily treated by your doctor.
(This article has discussed many of the possible side effects of lorazepam, but has not touched on all of them. Your doctor can give you a more thorough idea of all potential side effects of lorazepam.)
Lorazepam Possible Side Effects That Can Be More Serious
Lorazepam side effects don't happen very often but are possibly serious and you should tell your doctor right away if you notice anything. Side effects might include:
- Depression or worsening symptoms of depression
- Thoughts of suicide
- Trouble Breathing
- Hostility, rage or aggression
- Agitation, excitability and anxiety
- Sleeplessness
- Seizures
- Rash, hives, unexplained swelling and itching
- Hallucinations
Common Side Effects of Lorazepam
There have been many clinical trials done on Lorazepam. During these studies, side effects that frequently occur in a study group of people taking the medication are noted and compared to side effects that another "control" group of people who are not taking the drug experienced. This makes it possible to determine the side effects of the drug and how often they occur in comparison to the "control group" or the group of people who don't take the medication.
During these studies, there are some common side effects of lorazepam including:
- Unsteadiness
- Feeling of drowsiness or calm
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Weakness
Other possible side effects were noticed:
- Loss of memory
- Disorientation
- Tiredness
- Sleepiness
- Confusion
- A feeling of spinning or vertigo
- Changes in vision
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Changes in sex drive
- Impotence
- Trouble speaking
- Constipation
- Loss of hair
- Trouble reaching orgasm
- Lower than normal blood pressure.
Within the first few days of taking this medication the side effects will likely fade. If you notice any effects that have not been listed or if the side effects become worse, you should contact your health care provider immediately. Drowsiness might be a permanent effect when taking this medication. Lorazepam is often prescribed to be taken before bed because of this.
Conclusion on Side Effects of Lorazepam
You might wind up with some of the lorazepam side effects or you might have none of them. While there is no way you're your doctor can know if you'll have side effects before you begin taking the medication, certain factors will affect your likelihood of experiencing them. For this reason, if you notice any side effects while taking this medication, you should talk to your doctor as soon as possible. This includes anything that feels "off" or "different". It may not be a lorazepam side effect, but your doctor will be able to treat the problem with proper diagnosis.
