What are the most common Side Effects of Lorazepam?
If you have anxiety or related issues, Lorazepam is your wonder drug. Don't worry about the drug's side effects; go through the article and update yourself. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine for managing anxiety disorders, insomnia, panic attacks, and alcohol withdrawal. This drug is to treat anxiety. The medication belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines which act on your brain and nerves to produce a calming effect. In addition, this drug enhances the performance of a specific natural chemical in the body (GABA).
Lorazepam may also treat irritable bowel syndrome, epilepsy, insomnia, nausea and vomiting from cancer treatment and control agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal.
Side Effects of Lorazepam
Lorazepam is an effective but potentially dangerous drug. It is safe if consumed at the prescribed therapeutic doses. The severity or intensity of the side effects of Lorazepam depends on the amount of the substance intake. The drug has a black box warning to minimise abuse, misuse, physical dependence, and addiction. The FDA warns doctors to prescribe the smallest possible dose of Lorazepam for the shortest period. Recreational use of Lorazepam at larger dosages results in severe and adverse drug effects. Therefore, it is best to consider all the possible side effects and safety warnings before taking it.
Consult your doctor about the possible risks of using Lorazepam for your condition. The drug may cause side effects. Talk to your doctor if any of the following symptoms do not go away or worsen:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Muscle weakness
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Changes in appetite
- Constipation
- Difficulty urinating
- Frequent urination
- Changes in sex drive or ability
- Restlessness or excitement
- Sleep problems
- Insomnia
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Forgetfulness/amnesia
- Difficulty concentrating
- Skin rash
Get medical help immediately if you have rare but severe side effects, including yellowing eyes or skin, seizures, or slow breathing. Lorazepam may rarely have the opposite of its usual calming effect. Symptoms of this opposite effect may include agitation, irritability, violent behaviour, confusion, restlessness, excitement, and talking more than usual. Consult the doctor right away if you notice any of these effects.
A severe allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help immediately if you notice any signs of a severe allergic reaction, like rash, itching, swelling of the face/tongue throat, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.
Who Can Take Lorazepam?
Lorazepam treats anxiety in adults and children aged 13 years and above. Adults and children aged five years or above may also take it as a pre-med. However, the drug is not suitable for everyone. To ensure Lorazepam is safe for you, inform your doctor before taking Lorazepam if you:
- Have an allergic reaction to Lorazepam or any other benzodiazepine drug
- Have kidney or liver problems
- Have chest or breathing problems
- Have myasthenia gravis (a medical condition that causes muscle weakness)
- Have apnoea, a condition that causes breathing problems during sleep
- Have depression or thoughts of harming yourself
- Have been diagnosed with a personality disorder
- Have issues with drugs or alcohol
- Have arteriosclerosis, a condition that affects the blood flow
- Are already pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding
- Have glaucoma (a condition that causes high blood pressure in your eye)
- Are going to have general anaesthesia for an operation or dental treatment
Conclusion
Lorazepam is a drug to relieve anxiety. The drug belongs to a class of medications known as benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines work by slowing activity in the brain to allow relaxation.
It treats anxiety and sleeping problems that are related to anxiety. The most prevalent side effect is feeling sleepy or tired during the daytime.
