Lorazepam, Ativan, Atties, Benzos, Downers

Freehold, NJ Prescription Drug Possession Defense Attorneys, Serving all of New Jersey including the counties of Ocean, Union, Monmouth, Mercer and Middlesex.

Drug Information Lorazepam

Brand name: Ativan

Street names: Atties, Somnios, benzos, downers

Drug Classification: Lorazepam is a Schedule IV drug in the US. It is illegal to sell or posses without a valid license or prescription.

General Information

Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine drug used to treat anxiety disorders and used in the off-label treatment of nausea in cancer patients. It comes in both tablet and liquid form, both of which are swallowed. Lorazepam is removed from the blood relatively quickly compared to other benzodiazepines, reducing its potential for toxicity but also requiring more frequent doses. Because it depresses the central nervous system, clonazepam should not be combined with alcohol, antihistamines, or other depressants, as this may result in respiratory failure and even death. The effectiveness of lorazepam has not been studied in use in patients for longer than 4 months, and doctors and patients should take serious precautions if they decide to continue treatment for this long.

Loraszpam Abuse

The abuse potential of lorazepam is high, as the drug produces feelings of calm and wellbeing by decreasing excess activity in the brain. Since lorazepam is relatively fast acting, the risk of amnesia is higher than with less potent benzodiazepines.

Side Effects

Common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, disorientation, clumsiness, blurred vision, and headache.

Physically users may feel abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, and muscle weakness. Less common effects include skin rash, insomnia, and depression. Paradoxical reactions sometimes occur and hyperactivity, hallucinations, hostility, agitation, and suicidal thoughts. A medical professional should immediately treat these symptoms. Overdose symptoms generally consist of extreme drowsiness, incoherence, fainting, coma, and respiratory depression.

Lorazepam Addiction and Withdrawal Symptoms

Lorazepam is both physically and mentally addictive. Tolerance develops to the sedative effects of the medication, potentially allowing the user to ingest larger and larger amounts without exhibiting typical effects. Stopping treatment or use that has occurred for more than a few months may cause extreme withdrawal effects such as vomiting, muscle cramps, sweating, muscle spasms, and seizures. Less severe withdrawal symptoms, typical if use is discontinued after treatment for a few months or less, include insomnia, agitation, irritability, and depression. Seizures can be avoided with a proper withdrawal regiment, though it is recommended that users switch over to diazepam or another benzodiazepine with a longer half-life, to stave off withdrawal symptoms for longer periods of time.

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