It is normal to feel restless and anxious at times with the problems and pressures in our lives. But when this condition becomes so severe that it is impossible to perform daily activities, you need to seek help from a doctor. Then, perhaps one of the medications you will be prescribed is Lorazepam. This comes in the form of an extended-release capsule. So today, let's talk briefly about this medication, its effectiveness, side effects, and things to be aware of while using it.
What is Lorazepam?
Simply put, Lorazepam is a medication used to treat anxiety . It belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. It works by calming your nervous system, which is a bit like applying the brakes on a speeding car.
Doctors may prescribe this medication for other conditions besides anxiety, so if you have any questions about this, it's best to ask your doctor.
Things to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Before prescribing Lorazepam, it is very important to tell your doctor about your complete health history, especially if you have any of the conditions listed below.
| Your health condition | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| Glaucoma (eye disease) | This medication may affect eye pressure. |
| A history of drug or alcohol addiction | There is also a risk of addiction to this drug. |
| Kidney or liver disease | The dosage may need to be adjusted because it may be difficult to remove the medication from the body. |
| Lung or respiratory diseases, such as asthma | Caution should be exercised because this medication can affect breathing. |
| Other mental illnesses (e.g. depression) | Some mental conditions may be exacerbated. |
| Myasthenia Gravis is a neuromuscular disease. | Muscle weakness may increase. |
| Parkinson's Disease | Symptoms may be affected. |
| Thoughts or previous attempts to end your life | This medication can sometimes cause such thoughts, so close attention is required. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | Because this medication can affect the baby, it is essential to discuss it with the doctor. |
How should I use the medicine?
It is very important to follow the exact instructions for using this medicine.
- Swallow with a glass of water: Take this medicine at the same time every day, as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow whole: Do not break, crush, or chew the capsule. It should be swallowed whole.
- If you have difficulty swallowing: If you have difficulty swallowing the capsule, you can carefully open the capsule, mix the medicine powder in a tablespoon of applesauce, and swallow it right away. But remember, do not swallow the mixture.
- With or without food: This can be taken before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with food.
- Don't stop: Don't stop taking your medication until your doctor tells you to.
Important: If you have any suspicion that you have taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. This medicine has been prescribed for you only, so never share it with others.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Lorazepam is a drug that can interact with other medications, such as alcohol. So tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including vitamins and herbal remedies.
| Never take these with you. | |
|---|---|
| Some narcotic medications for cough | Sodium oxybate |
| Be very careful when using these with | |
| |
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- See your doctor on schedule: See your doctor on schedule to see if your symptoms improve or worsen.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: You may feel drowsy and dizzy. Therefore , avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing anything that requires concentration until you know how this medicine affects you. If you are an elderly person, avoid getting up from a sitting position or standing up suddenly. This can reduce the risk of dizziness and falling.
- Avoid alcohol: Avoid taking this medication with alcohol. It can interfere with the effectiveness of the medication and increase side effects.
Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly. Doing so can cause serious side effects. As your doctor says, you should gradually reduce the dose and stop.
What are the possible side effects of the medication?
Like any medication, Lorazepam can cause side effects in some people.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Central nervous system depression (CNS Depression) | Breathing becomes shallow or shallow, difficulty breathing, extreme drowsiness, confusion, inability to wake up. |
| Mental changes | Thoughts of suicide, worsening of mood, and feelings of depression. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| |
How should the medicine be stored?
- Keep away from children and pets.
- This medicine can be addictive, so keep it in a safe place where it can be protected from thieves.
- Never give this medicine to anyone else. Selling or giving this medicine to others is illegal and dangerous.
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 Celsius). Discard expired medication.
- Ask your doctor about the safest way to dispose of unused or expired medications.
Take-Home Message
- Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine drug that treats anxiety and calms the nervous system.
- Before you start taking the medication, tell your doctor about all your health conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- Take the prescribed dose at the prescribed time, as directed by your doctor. Do not break, crush, or chew the capsule.
- Avoid alcohol completely while taking this medication. Be careful when driving or doing other activities that require concentration as it may cause drowsiness.
- Avoid stopping the medication suddenly. Reduce the dosage gradually and discontinue as directed by your doctor.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe side effects such as difficulty breathing, severe drowsiness, or thoughts of suicide.
- Keep this medicine in a safe place, out of the reach of children and others.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 💊 What kind of medicine is Lorazepam?
Lorazepam is a medication that is mainly used to treat anxiety. It works by calming the nerves in our brain and reducing the feeling of anxiety. Doctors also sometimes prescribe this medication for people who have trouble sleeping (insomnia).
💬 😴 Taking this medicine makes you very drowsy, doesn't it?
Yes, that is a common side effect of this medication. When you take lorazepam, you may feel very light-headed and drowsy. Therefore, you should be careful when driving or working with machinery while taking this medication. Usually, doctors tell you to take it before going to bed.
💬 ⚠️ Can you become addicted to lorazepam if you continue to take it?
Yes, there is a risk of addiction if you continue to use this medicine for a long time. That is why you should only take the dosage prescribed by your doctor. Do not take this medicine on your own or stop it suddenly. Because if you do, you may experience withdrawal symptoms.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න