ANTIVAN

Ativan also called Lorazepam, belongs to the class of medications called benzodiazepines. Ativan is used for the short-term relief of the symptoms of excessive anxiety. It works by slowing down the communication between the nerves in the central nervous system. The medication, often called sedative-hypnotic, is a derivative of a group of drugs and medicines called benzodiazepines. Sometimes this medication is also recommended by doctors for sleep problems. In fact, this medication is very different from most drugs in the same class, as it is used by doctors before surgery or any other medical procedure to reassure patients. Not to mention that Ativan is regularly prescribed for seizures and the like, when the drug is administered in the hospital to relax the nerves. Anxiety pills come in two forms, one in pill form and the other as a solution for intravenous injection. In prescribed doses and with short-term use, the sedative properties of Ativan can help a person cope with their anxiety and reduce seizure activity.

How does Ativan affect brain chemicals?

Ativan works by slowing or calming brain activity and produces a calming euphoric effect that you can feel. It does this by stimulating the production of GABA in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter chemical that prevents brain chemical and electrical activity from going too fast or too slow. Conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and seizures develop when the brain works too fast. Ativan works by slowing down the processes. Ativan is structured in such a way that it binds to benzodiazepine receptors on postsynaptic GABA-A channels. Essentially, it helps to increase the conductance of chlorine ions, causing a shift in the cell to stabilize. This is accomplished by enhancing GABA receptors from its inhibitory effect. Ativan’s inhibitory effects in two different parts of the brain, namely the amygdala and cortex, help to alleviate the effects of anxiety and seizure disorders, respectively.

A little information about what GABA receptors do may shed enough light on Ativan’s mechanism of action. GABA receptors regulate sleep and other calming effects in the brain. So now it’s easy to guess how the drug affects these receptors, affecting feelings of relaxation. When it enhances the effects of GABA, it reduces CNS function, inducing a sense of calm.

How long does Ativan work and how does the effect appear?

When taken orally, Ativan is slowly absorbed and is thought to have an intermediate effect in most people, starting between 15 and 30 minutes compared to other benzodiazepines. The oral dose of Ativan reaches its maximum effect in about two hours for most people. The amount of time it takes the human system to metabolize the drug to half its original concentration in the bloodstream is 10 to 20 hours for most people. In most people, most of Ativan is eliminated within 5 to 6 days of taking it; however, there are some lorazepam metabolites of substances produced by the breakdown of the drug that may remain in the human body for longer than a week.

Is Ativan completely free of side effects?

If you think this medication will only be good for anxiety without any side effects, it only shows that you don’t know how this medication works. Any drug that can interfere with the brain’s chemical system can have toxic effects. Although Ativan and brain damage do not necessarily go hand in hand, Ativan’s effects on GABA production can distort the brain’s ability to maintain normal functioning of systems under the control of GABA. Ativan’s ability to force cells to release GABA creates a state of imbalance in the brain. To correct this, the brain makes adjustments by reducing the natural production of GABA to restore balance. Unfortunately, these adjustments weaken the therapeutic effects of Ativan, so when you use it, you have to increase the dosage to feel the desired effects of the drug. Once again, the brain readjusts, and the cycle of Ativan abuse begins. As the abuse progresses, side effects develop. Common side effects of Ativan abuse include:

• Sleeping problems
• Fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Coordination problems
• Memory lapses
• Muscle weakness
• Confusion
• Problems concentrating

Ativan side effects mark the beginning of any potential brain damage. Side effects reveal a state of imbalance and brain dysfunction caused by exposure to Ativan. With long-term use, ativan and brain damage create its own vicious cycle as increasing dosages continue to weaken the brain’s response to ativan’s effects. The relationship between ativan and brain damage develops over time, causing varying degrees of damage and impairment along the way. Ativan abuse also tends to take on a life of its own, making the possibility of addiction even more likely. Taking steps to address ativan as early as possible gives the best chance of a full recovery.