$Unique_ID{BRK02007}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{LORAZEPAM}
$Subject{Alzapam (Major)
Ativan (Wyeth)
lorazepam (various manufacturers)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


LORAZEPAM
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Alzapam (Major)
     Ativan (Wyeth)
     lorazepam (various manufacturers)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotic
INGREDIENT:
     lorazepam
DOSAGE FORM:
     Tablets (0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg)
STORAGE:
     This medication should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed,
       light-resistant container.

USES

     Lorazepam is prescribed to treat symptoms of anxiety and anxiety
associated with depression.  It is not clear exactly how this medicine works,
but it may relieve anxiety by acting as a depressant of the central nervous
system (brain and spinal cord).  This medication is currently used by many
people to relieve nervousness.  It is effective for this purpose for short
periods, but it is important to try to remove the cause of the anxiety as
well.

TREATMENT

     Lorazepam should be taken exactly as your doctor directs.  It can be
taken with food or a full glass of water if stomach upset occurs.  Do not take
this medication with a dose of antacids, since they may slow its absorption
from the gastrointestinal tract.
     If you are taking this medication regularly and you miss a dose, take the
missed dose immediately if you remember within an hour.  If more than an hour
has passed, skip the dose you missed and wait for the next scheduled dose.  Do
not double the dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Bitter taste in the mouth, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness
(after a night's sleep), dry mouth, fatigue, flushing, headache, heartburn,
excessive salivation, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, sweating, or
vomiting.  As your body adjusts to the medication, these side effects should
disappear.
     To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     Dry mouth can be relieved by chewing sugarless gum or by sucking on ice
chips.
     If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a
sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
blurred or double vision, chest pain, depression, difficulty in urinating,
fainting, falling, fever, joint pain, hallucinations, memory problems, mouth
sores, nightmares, palpitations, rash, shortness of breath, slurred speech,
sore throat, uncoordinated movements, unusual excitement, unusual tiredness,
or yellowing of the eyes or skin.

INTERACTIONS

     Lorazepam interacts with several other types of medications:
     1. To prevent oversedation, this drug should not be taken with alcohol,
other sedative drugs, or central nervous system depressants (such as
antihistamines, barbiturates, muscle relaxants, pain medicines, narcotics,
medicines for seizures, and phenothiazine tranquilizers) or with
antidepressants.
     2. This medication may decrease the effectiveness of carbamazepine,
levodopa, and oral anticoagulants (blood thinners) and may increase the
effects of phenytoin.
     3. Disulfiram, cimetidine, and isoniazid can increase the blood levels of
lorazepam, which can lead to toxic effects.
     4. Concurrent use of rifampin may decrease the effectiveness of
lorazepam.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to lorazepam or other benzodiazepine tranquilizers
(such as alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, diazepam, flurazepam,
halazepam, midazolam, oxazepam, prazepam, temazepam, and triazolam).
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had liver disease,
kidney disease, epilepsy, lung disease, myasthenia gravis, porphyria, mental
depression, or mental illness.
     * This medicine can cause drowsiness.  Avoid tasks that require
alertness, such as driving a car or using potentially dangerous machinery.
     * This medication has the potential for abuse and must be used with
caution.  Tolerance may develop quickly; do not increase the dosage without
first consulting your doctor.  It is also important not to stop this drug
suddenly if you have been taking it in large amounts or if you have used it
for several weeks.  Your doctor may want to reduce the dosage gradually.
     * This is a safe drug when used properly.  When it is combined with other
sedative drugs or alcohol, however, serious side effects can develop.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  This medicine may
increase the chance of birth defects if it is taken during the first three
months of pregnancy.  In addition, too much use of this medicine during the
last six months of pregnancy may cause the fetus to become dependent on it,
resulting in withdrawal side effects in the newborn.  Also, use of this
medicine during the last weeks of pregnancy may cause excessive drowsiness,
slowed heartbeat, and breathing difficulties in the newborn.  Tell your doctor
if you are breast-feeding an infant.  This medicine can pass into the breast
milk and cause excessive drowsiness, slowed heartbeat, and breathing
difficulties in the nursing infant.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
