Lorazepam: uses and side effects of this drug

This drug belonging to the benzodiazepines is widely used against anxiety disorders.

The effects of long-term anxiety states can be emotionally draining for the patient and interfere with all aspects of daily life. To avoid its symptoms and the consequences they entail, intervention by means of psychological and pharmacological therapy is essential.

Benzodiazepines are the pharmacological treatments of choice in these cases. Within this group is lorazepamwhich presents numerous advantages when accompanying psychological therapy, providing the patient with support for recovery.

What is lorazepam?

Lorazepam is a tranquilizing and anxiolytic drug. corresponding to the category of high potency benzodiazepines; to which five basic properties are attributedto which five basic properties are attributed:

• Anxiolytic.
• Amnesic.
• Sedative and hypnotic.
• Anticonvulsant.
• Muscular relaxants.

This type of anxiolytics have the ability to stabilize the psychic state so that it does not harm or interfere in the daily activities or tasks of the person who takes it.

Likewise, one of the advantages that lorazepam has over other types of benzodiazepines is that it acts on the emotional elements eliminating themTherefore, it cancels the tendency to suffer disorders with an emotional and psycho-reactive base or charge.

This quality turns it into a medicine specially recommended at the time of accompanying some type of psychological interventionIt can also be combined with other psychotropic drugs or Antidepressant treatments.

Uses of this drug

The prescription of lorazepam is mainly limited to the treatment of anxiety disorders. treatment of anxiety disorders and with the aim of alleviating, both in the short and long term, the symptoms that this disorder entails. More specifically in cases in which the symptomatology interferes or limits the patient's life.

However, it is necessary for the clinician to regularly review and evaluate the efficacy of the drug for each patient, since its use on a chronic basis has not been validated by clinical studies and, in addition, lorazepam is likely to cause both physical and psychological dependence. both physical and psychological dependence.

In addition, lorazepam is also recommended for the treatment of many other diseases or conditions. These include:

• Irritable bowel syndrome..
• Epilepsy.
• Insomnia.
• Treatment of nausea and vomiting induced by cancer treatment. induced by cancer treatment.
• Management of agitation caused by withdrawal syndrome.

Form of administration and dosage

The two formats in which lorazepam can be found are tablets or a concentrated liquid solution to be taken orally. The usual dosage is restricted to two or three daily intakes, i.e. 2.5 mg of lorazepam per day.The usual dosage is restricted to two or three intakes per day, i.e. approximately 2.5 mg of product.

However, in order to achieve the best possible results, it is recommended that the practitioner establishes the frequency of administration and duration on an individual basis. Likewise, in the event that it is necessary to increase the daily dose, it is necessary to do so progressively, thus eliminating possible side effects.

Because of the high tolerance that this drug generates, it is advisable that lorazepam should be used only for short periods of two to four weeks.. In this way, the risk of physical dependence caused by long-term consumption is also eliminated, and with it the withdrawal symptoms it generates. These symptoms are:

• States of anxiety.
• Alteration of the senses.
• Insomnia.
• Dysphoria.
• Psychosis and convulsions (in the least cases).

Side effects of lorazepam

As with most medications, regardless of their action or purpose, lorazepam can also be accompanied by a number of side effects and risks.

While these adverse these adverse effects do not have to appear in all the persons, it is important to be able to recognize them and thus toit is important to be able to recognize them and thus modify the doses or change to another type of benzodiazepine.

These side effects can be classified as: very frequent, frequent, infrequent, rare, very rare or of unknown frequency.

1. Very frequent

• Sedation.
• Feeling of tiredness.
• Choking sensation.

2. Frequent

• Asthenia.
• Muscle weakness..
• Ataxia.
• Sensation of confusion.
• Depression.
• Dizziness.

3. Infrequent

• Nausea.
• Alterations in libido.
• Impotence.
• Decreased orgasms.

4. Rare

Agitation. Erections.

5. Very rare

• Hypersensitivity.
• Allergic skin reactions.
• Lack of sodium.
• Hypothermia.
• Alterations in the secretion of antidiuretic hormone.
• Hypotension.
• Constipation.
• Increased bilirubin levels..
• Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.
• Increased transaminases and phosphatase.
• Thrombocytopenia or decrease in the number of platelets in the blood.
• Agranulocytosis or decrease in the number of neutrophils in the blood.
• Pancytopenia or reduction of all blood cells.
• Paradoxical reactions such as anxiety.
• Depression of the central nervous system.
• Respiratory problems..

In the event that the patient experiences any of the above adverse effects, it is advisable to seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Precautions

There are a series of indications or conditions to take into account before starting a lorazepam treatment, since it is not indicated for all types of people. In the following cases its consumption is not advisable or at least, the patient should be careful of the possible complications that it may cause..

The use of lorazepam is disapproved in people allergic to this active ingredient, as well as to any of the elements found in this pharmaceutical specialty. The symptoms or adverse effects that the patient may suffer range from respiratory difficulties or asthma attacks, to swelling, urticaria or anaphylactic shock.

Other cases in which the consumption of lorazepam is prohibited are when the person suffers from myasthenia gravis, severe breathing difficulties, sleep apneas, or severe liver disease. or if he/she suffers from severe liver disease.

It is necessary that the patient informs his physician in case he is taking any other type of medication, including those that can be obtained without prescription, in order to avoid any possible interference or harmful effect for the organism as a consequence of the combination of drugs.

It is also necessary for the patient to know that both barbiturates and alcoholic beverages have a depressant effect on the central nervous system, so that the patient should be aware that on the central nervous system, so that if they are administered or taken together, the sedative effects of the medication are considerably and detrimentally accentuated.

On the other hand, there are a number of special circumstances under which people should exercise caution when taking this medication, or not take it at all. These conditions include pregnancy and lactation; children, elderly and physically weak patients, persons with respiratory insufficiency and the driving and use of machinery.

1. Pregnancy and lactation

It is necessary that the patient informs the medical staff if she is pregnant or if she intends to become pregnant, since the consumption of benzodiazepines is associated with an increase in the risk of malformations in the fetus if administered during the first trimester of pregnancy.

In addition, if this drug is administered when the woman is late in pregnancy, it is possible that lorazepam may cause a number of side effects in the baby. These effects range from hypoactivity or hypothermia, to apnea and respiratory and feeding problems. Another adverse effect that lorazepam has on the infant is that the infant is at risk of acquiring a physical dependence that leads to a postnatal dependence syndrome.

On the other hand, this drug is highly contraindicated during lactation period. The effect of benzodiazepines secreted through breast milk may include sedative effects on the baby and inability to suckle.

2. Children, elderly and physically weak patients

In no case should benzodiazepines be administered to children, except for very extreme conditions or diseases, and the duration of treatment should be as short as possible.

Likewise, given that elderly and physically weak patients are more prone to suffer from the effects of the medication, it is recommended that they be administered with benzodiazepines.It is recommended that they be administered in very low doses.

3. People with respiratory insufficiency

As in the case of elderly or physically weak people, patients with some type of respiratory insufficiency should also take this drug in much lower doses, since the risk of respiratory depression is much higher..

4. Driving and use of machinery

Due to the sedative effects of lorazepam, people who need to drive vehicles or operate machinery should be cautious, since the medication may alter the ability to perform these tasks.