Do you also often feel fear, restlessness, and anxiety? At such times, your doctor may prescribe you a medicine like this. The name of this medicine is Lorazepam . This is a type of medicine that is designed to work in the body for a long time. So today, let's talk about this in detail and very simply. Let's see what you need to be careful about when using this medicine, what are the side effects , and how to use it exactly.
What exactly is this medicine called Lorazepam?
Simply put, lorazepam is a medication that helps reduce anxiety. It belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines . It works by slowing down your nervous system and calming you down. Think of it like slowing down a speeding car. This reduces your anxiety and fear, and you feel a great sense of relief.
This medication is not only for anxiety, but sometimes doctors may also prescribe it for other medical conditions. So if you have any further questions about this, it's best to ask your doctor.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before giving you this medicine, your doctor should know your complete health history . This is because it can be dangerous to use this medicine with certain medical conditions. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Illness or condition | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Glaucoma condition | This medicine can affect eye pressure. |
| If you have epilepsy or have had seizures in the past | There may be problems with the functioning of the medicine. |
| Kidney or liver disease | The process of removing medication from the body may be affected. |
| Lung/respiratory diseases like asthma or COPD | This medicine can slow breathing, so it can be dangerous for these patients. |
| Sleep apnea | This situation could get worse. |
| If there was a drug or alcohol addiction | There is a risk of addiction to this medicine. |
| Depression or suicidal thoughts | Maybe this medicine can increase those thoughts. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | Using this medicine during pregnancy may affect the baby. |
| If the baby is breastfed | The medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
| Allergies to other medicines, foods or substances | You may be allergic to this medicine or any of its ingredients. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
This is a very important part. To get the most out of a medicine, you need to use it correctly.
- Take this medicine with a glass of water.It should be taken orally .
- Try to take it at the same time every day , as prescribed by your doctor. This will help maintain the same level of effectiveness of the medicine.
- Most importantly: Do not break, crush, or chew this capsule. Swallow the capsule whole.
- Only if you have difficulty swallowing, carefully open the capsule, mix the medicine inside with a tablespoon of applesauce, and swallow it all at once without chewing .
- This medicine can be taken before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with food.
- Do not stop taking the medicine until your doctor tells you to. Stopping it suddenly can cause serious problems.
Important: People over the age of 65 may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. Therefore, they are usually prescribed a lower dose. Also, special care is needed when using this medicine in children.
What to do if you overdose? (Overdose)
If you think you may have taken more medicine than you think, don't delay. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
Things that are incompatible with this medicine (Interactions)
Some medications, foods, and alcohol can interact with this medicine and cause dangerous conditions, so it is very important to tell your doctor about everything you are taking.
Things that should never be taken with this medicine:
- Sodium oxybate
Other things that may interact with this medicine:
- Alcohol: This can be extremely dangerous. It can cause drowsiness, dizziness , and difficulty breathing.
- Other medications that cause drowsiness: sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, and some cough medicines (Opioids).
- Other medications for mental illness : Other benzodiazepines, some medications for depression.
- Some medications for epilepsy.
- Some types of supplements: For example, things like melatonin and valerian.
This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about all the medications you take (including vitamins and herbal products).
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
It is very important to think about your safety when using this medicine.
Decreased brain function (CNS Depression)
This medication is a CNS depressant . Simply put, it slows down your brain activity. That's why you feel calm and sleepy.
Warning: If you take this medicine with something else that slows down brain function (e.g. alcohol, sleeping pills, some painkillers), your brain function can be dangerously reduced. This can cause very slow breathing, loss of consciousness, coma, and possibly even death. So be very careful with this.
Driving and operating machinery
This medicine may impair your balance, reaction time, and decision-making ability . Therefore, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know exactly how this medicine affects you. Also, to avoid dizziness and fainting, do not get up suddenly from sitting or lying down.
Risk of addiction and stopping the medication
There is a risk of addiction and misuse of this medication. Therefore, do not take more than the dose prescribed by your doctor or for longer than the prescribed period.
If you use this medicine for a long time, your body will get used to it. If you stop taking it suddenly , you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as severe tremors, sweating, and seizures. Therefore, when you need to stop taking the medicine, your doctor will gradually reduce the dose. Never stop taking the medicine or reduce the dose without medical advice.
Side effects of the medicine
Like any medicine, lorazepam can cause side effects. Some of them are normal and go away in a few days. But some are serious and require immediate medical attention.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Severe CNS depression | Slow or shallow breathing, extreme dizziness, loss of consciousness, inability to stay awake. |
| Changes in mental status | Suicidal thoughts, increased depression, severe changes in behavior. |
| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Drowsiness | It is common in the first few days after starting the medication. |
| Dizziness | It can occur especially when changing positions. |
| Loss of balance | It can be felt during times such as walking. |
| Changes in sexual desire or function | It is a condition that can occur to some people. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience any other unusual symptoms, talk to your doctor.
How to keep medicine safe?
- Keep it safe, out of reach of children and pets .
- This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone else. Misusing this medicine is dangerous and illegal.
- Store tightly closed at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Get rid of expired medications. Properly disposing of unused medications can prevent harm to others (elderly people, children, or pets). The best way to do this is to hand them over to a medication take-back program.
Take-Home Message
- Lorazepam is a medication that is used to treat anxiety and calms the brain.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medication. It can be extremely dangerous.
- Tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have and all other medications you are taking.
- Avoid driving and performing tasks that require alertness, as the medication may cause drowsiness and dizziness.
- Avoid stopping the medication suddenly without medical advice. Doing so may cause severe reactions.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as difficulty breathing, excessive drowsiness, or confusion, seek medical advice immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with others.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What kind of diseases is Lorazepam used for?
Lorazepam is a powerful tranquilizer that doctors use to relax the brain and provide relief to people with extreme fear, anxiety, and panic attacks. It is also given to people who have trouble sleeping and to those who have had seizures.
💬 What are the side effects of taking these loraspam pills?
This pill can make you very sleepy. It can also cause symptoms like drowsiness, dizziness, and forgetfulness. That's why doctors strongly advise against driving after taking it.
💬 How likely is it to become addicted to this drug?
Yes, if you continue to take this medicine, you can become very addicted to it. Also, if you stop taking it suddenly without telling your doctor, you may experience various side effects such as tremors and nausea.
💬 Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts here.
Add Your Comment