Lorazepam (Ativan) Nursing Drug Card (Simplified) - Pharmacology

[@Tommygunz838]

Thank God for Ativan when needed. It calms you down nicely 👌 sublingual is the best. God bless everyone reading this, you are strong you are unique 🙏 ❤

[@NurseRyan]

Thank you for sharing Tommy! 😀

[@aquarius113]

did u still on ativan?

[@alchemist7418]

This saved me from my racing brain and intense brain fog

[@NurseRyan]

Glad to hear that, thank you for sharing!

[@aquarius113]

Any side effect

[@nelsonreyes5418]

@@aquarius113 why worry about side effects bro ... just feel good 👍 😌

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

I once had metaclopramide and diphenhydramine IV administered rapidly in sequence. It caused horrific akathisia. I felt like every muscle in my body needed to move. Intense restlessness and anxiety. They then gave me lorazepam IV. It was like taking a deep breath. I was then able to comply with further testing without discomfort. I don't remember much beyond the initial feeling of relief, but it saved me from a really traumatic experience. Just wanted to share my experience here. It is a very useful because of the way it's metabolized, somewhat unique for its class. That is something to note about lorazepam. This must be one of the primary reasons why it's preferred over some other benzodiazepines, at least in a hospital setting.

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

I wanted to add: please follow the guidelines for the administration of metaclopramide. Slow and steady. The nurse pushed the entire dose at once, and this was most likely why I had such a bad reaction. I hope this cautionary tale helps someone.

[@NurseRyan]

Thank you for sharing your experiences Bill, and for your replies on the other comments!

[@HD-gw4wf]

Yeah diphenhydramine messes me up! I can't sit still and makes my body feel super restless and like antsy, jus not good all around. Makes me feel like I need to flex my muscles and tense up too.

[@Jean-ni6of]

I don't know what you are talking about.

[@Bassfather410]

@@Chironex_Fleckeri do you have gastroparesis? I do and I’m on metoclopramide and it definitely gives me the jitters. I use to take Ativan to balance it out but now I take Xanax.

[@stupidvickfan3744]

I started getting prescribed benzos and I realize how much life I've missed out on. I've always been uncomfortable just waiting for every situation to end. I wish 1 of those 20 doctors I asked tried compromising of some sorts.

[@sanja1779]

@drtwiz7490can you help me please

[@NurseRyan]

Hi, sorry for the very late response, I missed your comment! I hope you are doing better these days. Thank you for sharing your experiences

[@andrewprice9431]

Liquid form is a life saver for my epilepsy

[@NurseRyan]

Thanks for sharing! That's good to hear 🙂

[@andrewprice9431]

@@NurseRyan they do a great job at Erie Hamot

[@Godislove225]

I took this medicine for 5 years along with quetiapine, I used it for tinnitus and anxiety. I stopped taking it, but I slowly reduced the first 2 weeks are difficult, but I notice that I still fall asleep without these medicines

[@Yenasmo62]

Big fear of withdrawals. I’m in 2.5 MG per day… been over a week now.

[@NurseRyan]

Thank you for sharing your experience with it!

[@Bassfather410]

This saved me from idiopathic unrelenting nausea

[@NurseRyan]

Thank you for sharing your experience with this drug! I hope you are doing better these days.

[@SigmundFreud187]

Whenever I goto a psych hospital the doctors PRN me Lorazepam or Ativan. In a hospital setting I’m prescribed Ativan as needed.

[@NurseRyan]

Lorazepam is definitely one of the most common benzodiazepines ordered. Thanks for sharing!

[@SomeTwatt]

I just took 6mg after a week without. Shit, im definitely addicted

[@syntholshoulders1842]

No that shit is terrible you should get off live a clean life

[@aquarius113]

Any side effects

[@cotichase]

@@aquarius113 feeling fuckijg amazing

[@garysimone4977]

​@@cotichase6mg !!!! My guess you either ween off or are a mess

[@NurseRyan]

6mg is a large dose, I hope you are doing better these days. Sorry for the very late response, I missed your comment. I would always recommend speaking to your doctor or pharmacist for any actual medical advice, as these videos are meant only for educational purposes!

[@lisabi3327]

That was awesome!

[@NurseRyan]

Glad you liked it! 😀

[@alexroberts9349]

My Dr prescribed Ativan 2 mg twice daily for anxiety ( which didn't help all that much) He then switched me to Xanax 2mg twice daily as needed and I find that Xanax works much better (for me anyway).

[@--NICO--]

Opposit for form

[@cotichase]

Xanax is faster acting & faster to run through your system. Ativan takes longer to kick in & lasts longer . I prefer Ativan .

[@alexroberts9349]

@@cotichase Both Ativan and Xanax are short acting, with around the same half life.

[@garysimone4977]

​@@alexroberts9349Xanax ....hell to get off pure gell

[@NurseRyan]

Hi, sorry for the very late response, I missed your comment! Thank you for sharing your experience with these drugs!

[@Kurlielox]

Informative and succinct! Thanks! Just wondering...I hear so much about GABA and how it affects the CNS - specifically the brain...it would also affect the enteric nervous system as well? Do Benzos (in this case, Ativan) affect the ‘gut brain’ also?

[@NurseRyan]

Hi Sue, glad to help! I'm in no way an expert on the topic, but I will link a couple of articles I found that review the use of Benzodiazepines for managing GI disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhea, and others. Benzos definitely affect the gut by reducing anxiety related GI symptoms, but more research on the "Gut-Brain Axis" may help answer your question! 1. Benzodiazepines’ Role in Managing Gastrointestinal Disorders: www.karger.com/Article/Pdf/510686 2. Systematic review of modulators of benzodiazepine receptors in irritable bowel syndrome: Is there hope?: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3214699/ Ryan

[@riordanparata4339]

I use lorazepam for severe IbS that gets worse with anxiety and it does help my gut and my brain calm down

[@zenabailey3182]

@Riordan Parata I was prescribed this 0.5mg but it’s seems to not work because of the brand that I use which is called (Teva) which brand do you use??

[@nellapezzella2994]

Io uso Lorezopan Doran ma contiene lattosio c'è qualche equivalente senza lattosio io sono intollerante al lattosio❤😂

[@richhmelanin9397]

What's the natural alternative to Lorazepam? Unfortunately after a while it simply doesn't work as the body is too used to it.

[@NurseRyan]

I've read that Valerian root and Ashwagandha are some natural alternatives to Benzodiazepines. However, I would definitely recommend speaking to your primary healthcare provider or pharmacist before making any actual changes! These alternatives may be contraindicated for you in some cases. These videos are meant for educational purposes only. Hope that helps!

[@Sean-xz9kp]

You build up a tolerance whats why they aren’t working no more i guess. However if u was on the same dose for a while and it didn’t work soundly i would prefer to visit your doc to switch to another benzo and talk about it. Hope things go well with you richh

[@chiefpriestmalakyaahlahada6748]

Kratom and kava along with CBD oil.

[@shaylamoore2051]

Why tachycardia as a side effect if it's supposed to help calm?

[@NurseRyan]

Great question! Although Lorazepam is not actually expected to cause tachycardia, there have been reports of tachycardia occurring during withdrawal from Lorazepam. For example, if someone were to stop taking Lorazepam abruptly, they may experience tachycardia. There have also been reports of tachycardia in patients receiving Flumazenil, an antidote for Benzodiazepine overdose. Hope that helps!

[@garysimone4977]

I have been on antivan 1 month..2mg 1x a day do I need to ween off if so how

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

If you're still on it, talk to your doctor. They should help you come up with a plan to taper off of it, if that is what they deem necessary.

[@Jean-ni6of]

@@Chironex_Fleckeri If in doubt, leave it out. 2mg is a large amount to begin with.

[@NurseRyan]

I definitely recommend speaking to your doctor or pharmacist for the best information for your case, as these videos are meant only for educational purposes!

[@garysimone4977]

I yave been off the med for 19 months very gery slow tapper​@NurseRyan

[@NurseRyan]

@@garysimone4977 That's good to hear! Thank you for sharing

[@RareGem369]

The real question is which diazepam has the least side effects?

[@iDTecKt]

Yeah lol, all the ones ive tried have sides but are different in what they do to me, it could be feeling weird or extreme fatigue

[@aquarius113]

@@iDTecKt hw abt lorazepam

[@NurseRyan]

I hope you found the right Benzodiazepine for you!

[@Arlettet455]

Thank you very helpful!

[@NurseRyan]

No problem Maira! I'm glad you found it helpful! 😊

[@ayshadilshana4403]

Its really useful sir.., can i know which book is you referred for this

[@NurseRyan]

I use a combination of online research, Mosby's 2017 Nursing Drug Reference handbook, and Mosby's 2016 Nursing Drug Cards.

[@jamesleth806]

Brilliant explanation.

[@NurseRyan]

Thank you James! Happy to help 😀

[@jamesleth806]

@@NurseRyan no thankyou

[@callumhighfield1804]

Hi I'm really hoping you can help! You're clearly very knowledgeable I'm prescribed lorazepam for anxiety (Ativan) In England and sometimes I can take my dose and it has no affect and when it does I might get reduced anxiety'but no sedation? But sometimes I need to use it for sedation.

[@callumhighfield1804]

And also I have been on clonazepam and diazepam and they didn't no anything at all. Even for the anxiety. Yet z drugs I'm prescribed zopiclone (lunesta In America) that works for me but they both work on GABA so why none of the benzos I've been on not working???

[@NurseRyan]

Hi Callum, sorry for the late response! Many of the drugs that work in the brain & nervous system are unpredictable by nature. Many people have to try different benzos to achieve safe and therapeutic effects. As for the sedation aspect, I would always recommend speaking to your primary healthcare provider about your concerns. The effectiveness of medication can be affected by the time of day that it is taken, whether it is taken on a full or empty stomach, and more. Zopiclone usually helps with insomnia, but some people have to take supplemental medication to help them sleep, like melatonin. Hope that helps! Ryan

[@garysimone4977]

@@NurseRyan i have gone through all benzos nothing works unless at a higher very high dose..advice

[@NurseRyan]

​@@garysimone4977 Hi Gary, I really can't give any medical advice. I can only recommend that you talk to your healthcare provider about it. If benzos aren't working for you, there are all sorts of alternative therapy options that might help (depending on your reason for taking benzos). You could do some research and talk to your doctor about CBD oil, Kava-kava, Buspirone, and so many more. Hope that helps!

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

Callum, this is a good point about benzodiazepines. Different benzos have different effects, although there are commonalities across every drug of the class. Generally speaking, tolerance to the hypnotic, or sleep-inducing, effects develops before any other component of the 'bundle'. This can happen in a matter of a few days. Typically people do not develop much of a tolerance to the anxiolytic, or anxiety-relieving, effect. As the video creator said, these drugs are unpredictable. My personal experience with lorazepam was that it was far less sedating than alprazolam but more sedating than diazepam and clonazepam. I don't believe you can get alprazolam in the UK (rightfully so, imo). There are some other benzos such as temazepam and triazolam that are also indicated for insomnia, and these may be an alternative within the class. This tolerance to the hypnotic effects is a big reason why doctors usually prefer to prescribe a "z-drug" such as zolpidem or zopiclone. These drugs were designed specifically to help people fall and stay asleep. Please talk to your doctor about what you've mentioned here. They can help you with this issue. I will give my two cents here. A lot of people are better off without these drugs in their lives. It's worth exploring options like melatonin, herbal teas, even drugs like hydroxyzine and trazodone.

[@Majestal1]

Would this help for needle phobic people?

[@NurseRyan]

According to Table 2 of an article titled "Needle Phobia: A Neglected Diagnosis" published in The Journal of Family Practice in 1995, there are many techniques for managing needle phobia, one of which includes the use of benzodiazepines like Diazepam and Lorazepam. I've attached a link to the article if you'd like to read through it. The article has a lot of good information regarding needle phobia: drive.google.com/file/d/1wyxJw6yflmU89NQFEDuNQZ0uzxw_cro_/view?usp=sharing

[@princemajestal8100]

@@NurseRyan I tried it and felt absolutely nothing different. Like nothing at all. Is this normal?

[@NurseRyan]

@@princemajestal8100 I would definitely recommend speaking to your primary healthcare provider about that. Many people react completely different from others when taking Benzos or other CNS drugs. Your doctor may suggest a change in dose or in medication all together!

[@MrMobbit18]

I have autophobia,will this help me? It's really bad 😣

[@NurseRyan]

Benzodiazepines have been used to treat anxiety related to phobias. However, there's not much information about Lorazepam specifically for phobias. I would definitely recommend asking your primary healthcare provider for more information!

[@aquarius113]

Im taking it 3-4times per week is it ok?will i get addicted or any bad side effects?as i was prescribed fr insomnia..pls help

[@zenabailey3182]

@aquarius11 I was prescribed 0.5 mg but it’s seems to not work I think it’s because of the brand (Teva) which brand do you use ? Because I use to be able to take Ativan and it worked but now it doesn’t because of the the brand

[@aquarius113]

@@zenabailey3182 i now on lorazepam 1mg..been 6mth now on off only for sleep..

[@aquarius113]

@@zenabailey3182 how long has u been on it?

[@zenabailey3182]

@aquarius11 I’ve taken it for a few months but The brand doesn’t work for me...which brand is your Ativan manufactured from? It should be on the bottle. I want to stay on Ativan but (Teva) the brand does not work for me

[@NurseRyan]

Hi, sorry for the very late response, I missed your comment! I would always recommend speaking to your doctor or pharmacist for any actual medical advice, as these videos are meant only for educational purposes! Every person reacts differently to these kinds of drugs, so what you experience can vary greatly from others.

[@94D33M]

I've been taking this everyday 1mg usually 2 or 1 times per day. It helps relax the brain and help sleep as well in the night Edit: I've started taking Valium (Diazepam) because ativan 1mg on the morning makes me sleepy by noon, but Valium is less stronger and doesn't make sleepy when I don't need to

[@aquarius113]

how long has u taken it?

[@94D33M]

@@aquarius113 Maybe 1-2 months.... But not always

[@aquarius113]

@@94D33M ok do it gave u any side effect..im take it 3time per week

[@94D33M]

@@aquarius113 no side effects, just calms the mind

[@budgetboss_j9920]

Mohammad did the 1 mg work right away? My doctor prescribed me Ativan to help me get through an MRI. I have difficulty in the machine. Makes me feel claustrophobic.

[@nellapezzella2994]

Non capisco niente parla in italiano

[@NurseRyan]

scusa, niente italiano

[@thimasrehder9364]

Shit os poison

[@syntholshoulders1842]

100 percent either those people are lucky or paid actors I had terrible side effects from intravenous lorazepam poison shittt

[@RareGem369]

@@syntholshoulders1842 Why did you have it intravenously? Also what were the side effects?

[@NurseRyan]

I'm sorry that you had a poor experience with this drug. Thanks for sharing