The generic versions of Ativan and Valium cost about the same. Ativan and Ambien have some similar effects in the body. Both are considered to work as sedative-hypnotic drugs. This means they both cause sleepiness and sedation relaxation. However, these medications belong to different drug classes. Ativan is a benzodiazepine, while Ambien belongs to a class of drugs called non-benzodiazepine hypnotics.
Ambien is available as an oral tablet and as an extended-release tablet called Ambien CR. Both forms are taken once daily just before bedtime.
Ativan and Ambien have some similar side effects, and some that differ. The only condition that both Ativan and Ambien are approved to treat is insomnia. Ativan is usually considered a second-choice option for treating insomnia.
Ativan and Ambien are both brand-name medications. The generic name of Ambien is zolpidem. Brand-name Ativan usually costs more than brand-name Ambien. The generic versions of Ativan and Ambien cost about the same.
Ativan tablets should be taken in the way your doctor prescribed them. Ativan is usually taken two or three times daily. These doses are usually spread out at equal intervals. You can take Ativan with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, try taking it with food to help decrease this side effect. Yes, Ativan can be crushed. Some Ativan tablets may also be split.
Ativan is classified as a benzodiazepine. These drugs are typically used to treat anxiety and insomnia, but can also be used to treat other conditions. Benzodiazepines are often categorized by how fast they work onset of action and how long they last in the body duration. This chart includes examples of these classifications. These medications work by boosting the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid GABA within your body. GABA is a neurotransmitter that transmits messages between cells in different parts of your body.
Increasing GABA in the body results in a tranquilizing effect that reduces feelings of stress and anxiety. Benzodiazepines such as Ativan are categorized based on how fast they work. Ativan is classified as having a rapid to intermediate onset start of action.
Ativan is sometimes prescribed by veterinarians to sedate an animal during surgery or to treat seizures. If you think your dog or cat is in distress, see your veterinarian for an evaluation and treatment. This medication can pass through breast milk and cause side effects in a child who is breastfed.
You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication. Before taking Ativan, talk with your doctor about any medical conditions you have. Ativan may not be appropriate for you if you have certain medical conditions.
Yes, Ativan is a controlled substance. This means that it has an accepted medical use but may also cause physical or psychological dependence and be may be abused. The government has created special rules for how Schedule IV drugs can be prescribed by a doctor and dispensed by a pharmacist.
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more. Some people who take Ativan can become physically and psychologically dependent on the drug. The risk of dependence increases if Ativan is used in doses that are higher than prescribed, or for long periods of time. In some cases, Ativan dependence can lead to misuse or abuse of the drug.
The risk is higher with people who have previously abused alcohol or drugs. Taking Ativan may cause a positive result for benzodiazepines on urine drug screenings.
Most of the effects of Ativan last about six to eight hours. However, this can vary from person to person. Ativan begins to work within minutes, but its maximum effect usually happens about 1 to 1. In some cases, the taper may last several weeks. Talk with your doctor before stopping Ativan to find out the best way to taper the medication.
Ativan can cause withdrawal effects in some people when they stop taking the medication. For people with severe Ativan dependence who abruptly stop taking it, more severe withdrawal symptoms can occur. These can include:. Long-term use of Ativan can increase your risk of certain side effects, especially physical and psychological dependence. This can lead to withdrawal symptoms see above when the medication is stopped.
Ativan is typically prescribed for short-term use of two to four weeks. When Ativan is dispensed from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle. This date is typically one year from the date the medication was dispensed. The purpose of such expiration dates is to guarantee the effectiveness of the medication during this time.
However, an FDA study showed that many medications may still be good beyond the expiration date listed on the bottle. How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where the medication is stored.
Ativan should be stored at room temperature in its original container. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk to your pharmacist to find out whether you might still be able to use it. Ativan has a tranquilizing effect in the central nervous system. Ativan binds to benzodiazepine receptors, which increases the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid. This results in sedation, skeletal muscle relaxation, anticonvulsant effects, and coma.
Ativan has a bioavailability of 90 percent. Peak plasma levels occur about two hours after oral administration. Ativan is contraindicated in people with hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines or any component of Ativan. The use of Ativan can cause psychological and physical dependence. The risk of dependence is also higher in people with a history of drug or alcohol abuse. The risk of dependence and abuse can be reduced by using appropriate doses for the shortest time possible. Disclaimer : Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date.
However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional.
You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
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When starting lorazepam, anxiety or insomnia may improve rapidly or over a period of days. Avoid alcohol while taking this medication. Regarding breastfeeding, caution is advised since lorazepam does pass into breast milk.
Symptoms of your condition that bother you the most If you have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself Medications you have taken in the past for your condition, whether they were effective or caused any adverse effects If you experience side effects from your medications, discuss them with your healthcare provider.
Some side effects may pass with time, but others may require changes in the medication. Any other psychiatric or medical problems you have including obstructive sleep apnea All other medications you are currently taking including over the counter products and herbal and nutritional supplements and any medication allergies you have Other non-medication treatment you are receiving such as talk therapy or substance abuse treatment.
Your provider can explain how these different treatments work with the medication. If you are elderly or prone to falls If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding If you drink alcohol or use drugs How Should I Take Lorazepam? Lorazepam may be taken with or without food. Take with food if you experience an upset stomach. Symptoms of overdose include confusion, impaired coordination, slow reflexes, coma, and death. Common side effects Feeling dizzy, drowsy, fatigued, or lightheaded Impaired coordination, decreased ability to concentrate If you experience these side effects after starting lorazepam they will often improve over the first week or two as you continue to take the medication.
Increased heart rate, headache, memory impairment, irritability, restlessness Some people taking benzodiazepines develop a severe allergic reaction and swelling of the face.
This can occur as early as with the first dose. The individuals have no memory of the events when they awaken. Signs of feeling depressed or low mood, thoughts of harming or killing yourself, or lack of interest in life.
You should only stop using lorazepam under the supervision of a medical professional due to the potential risk of severe withdrawal side effects. Once you have safely stopped taking Ativan, there may be a few things that you can do to speed up how quickly the drug completely clears your system.
Because Ativan is excreted through urine, staying well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids may slightly increase how quickly the drug is removed from your system. An overdose with Ativan is most commonly seen when taken with alcohol or opiate medications like Vicodin hydrocodone and OxyContin oxycodone.
If you suspect that someone has overdosed on Ativan, call immediately. You risk serious breathing problems, sedation, or coma when you take Ativan with alcohol or other medications that can depress breathing.
To prevent accidental overdose or other complications:. Discuss all medications prescription and over-the-counter , supplements, vitamins, and herbal products you take with your doctor as you may need dosages changed when you have Ativan in your system. Always tell your doctor whenever you plan to start a new medication or stop using one. If you need help stopping Ativan use, start by talking to your doctor.
Physical dependence can occur even if you take the drug exactly as prescribed. Quitting Ativan suddenly can be dangerous or even life-threatening due to the increased risk of seizures during the withdrawal process.
You must be monitored by a medical professional as you go through the withdrawal process. In most cases, you can detox from the drug on an outpatient basis. There are no medications approved to treat Ativan dependence, but the standard approach is to slowly reduce the amount of the drug used over a period of time to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor will monitor your progress as you slowly taper off of the drug. Your doctor may also recommend other treatments such as psychotherapy.
Types of psychotherapy that may be used during drug recovery include cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy. If you need help with your treatment, ask your doctor to refer you to a psychiatrist or another mental health professional who specializes in addiction recovery. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Updated February 18, Food and Drug Administration.
Updated September Greenblatt D. Clinical pharmacokinetics of oxazepam and lorazepam. Clin Pharmacokinet. Windows of detection of lorazepam in urine, oral fluid and hair, with a special focus on drug-facilitated crimes. Forensic Sci Int. False-positive urine screening for benzodiazepines: An association with sertraline? A two-year retrospective chart analysis.
Psychiatry Edgmont. Effect of short-term ethanol administration on lorazepam clearance. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellMind.
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