1. What is Ativan good for?
Ativan is an anti-anxiety medication. It is administered as a short-term anxiety treatment (two to four weeks) or for anxiety-related sleeping problems. It is used as a sedative before surgery or dental procedures. It also helps with managing seizures (fits). It should not be used to treat mild to moderate anxiety in adults or anxiety and insomnia in children for more than four weeks.
2. Is Ativan hard on the kidneys?
Ativan is removed from the body through the kidneys. If your kidney function is decreased, it may result in an accumulation of ativan in your body, increasing your risk of ativan-related side effects. Long-term use of ativan may also increase your risk of kidney damage.
3. Is Ativan a narcotic?
No, Ativan is not a narcotic medication. It belongs to the benzodiazepine class of medicines. It has sedative, anti-anxiety, and anticonvulsant (used to treat fits) properties. It inhibits the movement of abnormal brain signals. This reduces stress and anxiety and helps to produce a calming effect.
4. Will Ativan help me sleep?
Yes, Ativan can help you sleep. It lowers the excess electrical activity in the brain. This results in having the effect of drowsiness or dizziness. This property of Ativan is beneficial in treating people with sleeping problems, especially insomnia (sleeplessness). This medication should be taken only on your doctor’s prescription.
5. Does Ativan lower BP?
Yes, ativan slows down your heart, lowers your heart rate and blood pressure temporarily. Your heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure shoot up with anxiety, and ativan functions by slowing down overall body functions. However, as you relax, your body's functions normalise. If you use other medicines that lower your blood pressure, inform your doctor before beginning treatment with this medicine.
6. Does Ativan make you gain weight?
Yes, ativan tablets are associated with causing weight gain. It is, however, not seen in everyone and affects people in different ways. If you have noticed weight gain after starting ativan medication, try eating healthier food and exercising more frequently.
7. Can you cut Ativan in half?
No, do not cut the ativan tablet in half. Take this medicine as a whole. Do not chew the tablet in your mouth. If you want to lower the dose, these tablets have various strengths. After talking to your doctor, use the dose of this tablet that is appropriate for you.
8. Can Ativan cause heart palpitations?
Heart palpitations are the unpleasant sensations of having pounding, irregular, or forceful heartbeats. Ativan is not known to cause heart palpitations when used for a short period of time as prescribed by your doctor.
Long-term use of ativan may increase your risk of dependence and addiction. It may also have negative effects on your heart and may cause problems with heart rhythm and blood pressure. Hence, gradual dose reduction is recommended to avoid withdrawal symptoms
9. Why do you put Ativan under your tongue?
Ativan sublingual tablets are to be placed under the tongue to help the medicine get absorbed into the blood faster. Saliva dissolves these tablets, and they are quickly absorbed into the blood vessels under the tongue. You may start to notice its effects within 15 to 30 minutes.
10. Does Ativan hurt your liver?
No, ativan is not known to cause liver damage. However, inform your doctor if you have pre-existing liver problems before starting treatment with this medicine. Your doctor may suggest dose adjustments based on your clinical condition.
