Ativan (Lorazepam) - Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Most adverse reactions to benzodiazepines, including CNS effects and respiratory depression, are dose dependent, with more severe effects occurring with high doses.

In a sample of about 3500 patients treated for anxiety, the most frequent adverse reaction to Ativan (lorazepam) was sedation (15.9%), followed by dizziness (6.9%), weakness (4.2%), and unsteadiness (3.4%). The incidence of sedation and unsteadiness increased with age.

Other adverse reactions to benzodiazepines, including lorazepam are fatigue, drowsiness, amnesia, memory impairment, confusion, disorientation, depression, unmasking of depression, disinhibition, euphoria, suicidal ideation/attempt, ataxia, asthenia, extrapyramidal symptoms, convulsions/seizures tremor, vertigo, eye-function/visual disturbance (including diplopia and blurred vision), dysarthria/slurred speech, change in libido, impotence, decreased orgasm; headache, coma; respiratory depression, apnea, worsening of sleep apnea, worsening of obstructive pulmonary disease; gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, change in appetite, constipation, jaundice, increase in bilirubin, increase in liver transaminases, increase in alkaline phosphatase; hypersensitivity reactions, anaphylactic/oid reactions; dermatological symptoms, allergic skin reactions, alopecia; SIADH, hyponatremia; thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis, pancytopenia; hypothermia; and autonomic manifestations.

Paradoxical reactions, including anxiety, excitation, agitation, hostility, aggression, rage, sleep disturbances/insomnia, sexual arousal, and hallucinations may occur. Small decreases in blood pressure and hypotension may occur but are usually not clinically significant, probably being related to the relief of anxiety produced by Ativan (lorazepam).

REPORTS OF SUSPECTED ATIVAN SIDE EFFECTS / ADVERSE REACTIONS

Possible Ativan side effects / adverse reactions in 13 year old male

Reported by a physician from United States on 2011-10-10

Patient: 13 year old male weighing 39.6 kg (87.1 pounds)

Reactions: Anxiety, Confusional State, Akathisia, Pruritus, Pain, Chills, Anger, Memory Impairment, Paraesthesia

Suspect drug(s):
Methotrexate
    Indication: Precursor B-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma
    Start date: 2011-09-08

Pegaspargase
    Indication: Precursor B-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma
    Start date: 2011-09-08

Zofran
    Indication: Product Used FOR Unknown Indication

Vincristine
    Dosage: 1.5mgm2 cyclic
    Indication: Precursor B-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma
    Start date: 2011-09-08

Bactrim
    Indication: Product Used FOR Unknown Indication

Ranitidine
    Indication: Product Used FOR Unknown Indication

Prednisone
    Dosage: 20mgm2 cyclic
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Precursor B-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma
    Start date: 2011-09-08

Benadryl
    Indication: Product Used FOR Unknown Indication

Cytarabine
    Indication: Precursor B-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma

Hydrocortisone
    Indication: Precursor B-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma
    Start date: 2011-09-08

Ativan
    Indication: Product Used FOR Unknown Indication

Velcade
    Dosage: 1.3mgm2 cyclic
    Indication: Precursor B-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma
    Start date: 2011-09-08

Doxorubicin HCL
    Dosage: 60mgm2 cyclic
    Indication: Precursor B-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma
    Start date: 2011-09-08

Scopolamine
    Indication: Product Used FOR Unknown Indication

Possible Ativan side effects / adverse reactions in 71 year old male

Reported by a health professional (non-physician/pharmacist) from United States on 2011-10-12

Patient: 71 year old male weighing 78.0 kg (171.6 pounds)

Reactions: Hallucination, Visual, Mental Status Changes, Disorientation

Adverse event resulted in: hospitalization

Suspect drug(s):
Ativan

Possible Ativan side effects / adverse reactions in 73 year old male

Reported by a health professional (non-physician/pharmacist) from United States on 2011-10-26

Patient: 73 year old male weighing 71.7 kg (157.7 pounds)

Reactions: Agitation, Confusional State, Vomiting, Nausea, Chills, Abnormal Behaviour, Disorientation, Aggression, Dizziness, Oxygen Saturation Decreased, Infusion Related Reaction

Adverse event resulted in: hospitalization

Suspect drug(s):
Ativan
    Dosage: 1 mg, single
    Indication: Nausea
    Start date: 2011-10-13
    End date: 2011-10-13

Ativan
    Dosage: 1 mg, single
    Indication: Vomiting
    Start date: 2011-10-13
    End date: 2011-10-13

Provenge
    Dosage: 250 ml, single, intravenous
    Indication: Prostate Cancer Metastatic
    Start date: 2011-09-29
    End date: 2011-09-29

Provenge
    Dosage: 250 ml, single, intravenous
    Indication: Prostate Cancer Metastatic
    Start date: 2011-09-15
    End date: 2011-09-15

Provenge

Demerol
    Dosage: 25 mg,
    Indication: Chills
    Start date: 2011-10-13
    End date: 2011-10-13

Other drugs received by patient: Metoprolol Tartrate; Glipizide; Aspirin; Lisinopril; Metformin HCL; Aspirin; Omeprazole