What are the most common side effects of Lorazepam?
If you have anxiety or related issues, Lorazepam is your wonder drug. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine that is used to treat anxiety disorders, trouble sleeping, sleep disturbances, panic attacks, and alcohol withdrawal. Lorazepam may also treat nausea and vomiting from cancer treatment and control agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal. Benzodiazepines are prescription medications that act on your brain and central nervous system to produce a calming effect. In addition, this drug enhances the performance of a specific natural chemical in the body (GABA).
Side effects of Lorazepam
Lorazepam is an effective but habit-forming 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, or it may cause withdrawal symptoms. Recreational use of Lorazepam at higher doses results in serious side effects, symptoms of overdose and can be life-threatening. Therefore, it is best to consider all the possible side effects and safety warnings before taking it.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist about the possible risks of using Lorazepam for your condition. The drug may cause side effects. Some side effects may go away after a few days. Tell your doctor if any of the following symptoms do not go away or worsen:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Loss of interest
- Muscle weakness
- Stomach pain
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhoea
- Mood changes
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Changes in appetite
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty urinating
- Frequent urination
- Changes in sex drive or ability
- Restlessness or excitement
- Muscle pain
- 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, problems with memory or shallow 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. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any of these effects. Unlike Xanax, Loreazepam is not linked to weight gain.
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, hives, itching, swelling of the face/tongue throat, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing or swallowing.
Do not drink alcohol with Lorazepam. Mixing alcohol with Lorzepam tablets can have serious side effects, including memory loss, slurred speech, irregular heartbeat, trouble speaking, visual disturbances, shuffling walk and loss of consciousness.
Who can not take Lorazepam?
Lorazepam tablets treat 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, and older adults have to be more cautious. To ensure Lorazepam is safe for you, ask your doctor before taking Lorazepam if you:
- Have an allergic reaction to Lorazepam or any other benzodiazepine drug
- Have kidney or liver problems
- Have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Have chest or breathing problems
- Have myasthenia gravis
- Have sleep apnea, 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, become pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have narrow angle glaucoma (a condition that causes high blood pressure in your eye)
- Are going to have general anaesthesia for an operation or dental treatment
Conclusion
Understanding the side effects associated with medicine is essential for both patients and healthcare providers. Lorazepam is an effective anti-anxiety medicine but requires careful monitoring during its use. Knowing the side effects can come in handy to prevent them from getting worse. Seek medical attention or call your doctor immediately in case of an emergency.
