Lorazepam 2.5mg
What does this medicine do and what is it used for? The active substance in Lorazepam 2.5MG is lorazepam. Lorazepam 2.5MG is one of the benzodiazepines . It has a calming effect, relaxes muscles, reduces feelings of anxiety and affects the transmission of electrical stimuli in the brain. Doctors prescribe it for anxiety and anxiety, panic disorders, insomnia, epilepsy, alcohol withdrawal, nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy and anxiety .
Anxiety and anxiety
Phenomena
Everyone is sometimes anxious. Fear is a normal reaction to imminent danger. It leads to caution or flight, so it is a useful form of self-protection. Sometimes someone is anxious when there is little reason to do so, for example if you do not dare to go outside or do not dare to go shopping in a busy store. We then speak of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety often causes complaints such as headaches, stomach aches, sleeping problems and irritability. Intense anxiety can cause palpitations, tightness, sweating, chest pain, tremors, a feeling of fainting or tingling in the limbs.
Therapy
In case of anxiety and tension due to severe events, you can use Lorazepam 2.5MG for a few days to weeks. Do the anxiety and tension last longer, or is there a psychological cause? Then they are usually treated with psychotherapy or with antidepressants. Occasionally the antidepressants do not work sufficiently after a few weeks. Then the doctor sometimes prescribes lorazepam for Effect in its placeLorazepam 2.5MG dampens emotions and therefore has a calming effect when you are anxious or tense. This also reduces physical complaints, such as palpitations, abdominal pain, tremors and sweating, which are often accompanied by anxiety and tension. Lorazepam is a temporary help with these symptoms. However, it does not solve the cause of your tension. It can be useful for very intense emotions and for a short period of time.
Effect
You will become calmer within one hour of taking it. This effect lasts for eight to twelve hours. After a few weeks, there is a chance that you have become dependent on the drug. You will notice this from withdrawal symptoms when you stop swallowing, such as anxiety, headaches, muscle pain, insomnia, restlessness and irritability. Therefore, do not use this medicine for longer than a few weeks.
Panic Disorder Symptoms
Panic attacks also cause physical symptoms such as sweating, tremors, dizziness, nausea, weak legs, chest pain and palpitations. The attacks can give the feeling of dying or going mad. In a panic disorder, people have unusually strong panic attacks. The attacks rule their lives. Just the thought of a panic attack can lead to panic. People try to avoid situations in which a panic attack occurs. Sometimes it is no longer possible to go to work or go outside (fear of the street) for fear of a new attack.
Therapy
If the complaints occur extremely often and are very severe, they can greatly reduce your well-being and that of the people in your environment. The treatment for panic disorder consists of behavioral therapy or an antidepressant, such as fluvoxamine, paroxetine, clomipramine or imipramine. Lorazepam is sometimes given at the beginning of treatment with one of these antidepressants. It takes a few weeks before these have sufficient effect. In the meantime, lorazepam reduces the number of panic attacks. Occasionally the antidepressants do not work sufficiently after a few weeks. Then the doctor sometimes prescribes lorazepam instead.
Operation
Lorazepam has a calming effect and reduces anxiety. This makes you less likely to panic. It works within one hour of taking it. The effect lasts for eight to twelve hours.
Insomnia
Phenomena
Insomnia is referred to when someone has been sleeping poorly for some time and therefore does not function properly during the day. Sleeping problems often arise from stress or worry. But physical complaints such as pain or itching can also cause insomnia. Treatment If you come to your doctor with sleep problems, the doctor will usually not prescribe a sedative immediately. The doctor will first try to remedy the cause of the sleep complaints. For example with a painkiller if you suffer from pain. Or with soothing advice if you stay awake mainly due to worry. Some of these advices are:
- Exercise during the day or early in the evening.
- Do something relaxing an hour before going to sleep.
- Don’t take naps during the day.
- Keep a steady rhythm during the time you go to bed and get up.
- Do not have coffee in the evening.
- Do not take alcohol to sleep.
- Do not take solid food for two to three hours before going to bed.
- Provide a quiet, cool bedroom and a nice bed.
- Do not use the bedroom as a work, study or TV room.
- If you can’t sleep, get up and do something else in another room. Do not go back to bed until you are tired.
If these measures do not help you or are not possible, the doctor may prescribe this sleeping aid for a few days. Operation Lorazepam has a muscle relaxant, calming effect and makes you drowsy. It thus promotes that you fall asleep and sleep better. This sleeping aid is especially suitable if you have difficulty falling asleep and if you expect to wake up often during the night. Effect Within one hour after taking it you will become sleepy and calm. Therefore, make sure that you are at home, do not have to do complicated jobs and can easily reach your bed. The effect lasts for eight to twelve hours. Lorazepam only works well as a sleep aid if you use it occasionally. For example every three days. With daily use, the effect decreases as your body gets used to the effect.EpilepsyEpilepsy (epilepsy) is a disorder of the brain that causes a kind of short circuit in the brain. This happens in attacks. The brain is disrupted for a moment, for example, resulting in muscle twitching or unconsciousness. Lorazepam is used during an epileptic attack. If it lasts longer than five minutes, it must be stopped quickly. This can be done with lorazepam in an injection. Lorazepam in injection works within four minutes. The effect lasts for about two hours. Alcohol Withdrawal SymptomsIf you are addicted to alcohol and you suddenly stop drinking, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. For example, excessive sweating, nausea, headache, irritability, anxiety, increased heart rate, tremors, insomnia, hallucinations and seizures. Treatment Lorazepam is sometimes used during the first few days after stopping to reduce the withdrawal symptoms. When the withdrawal symptoms are very severe, this is called delirium. Then the doctor will usually administer haloperidol, a sedative for hallucinations. Sometimes the doctor prescribes lorazepam to enhance the effect of haloperidol. OperationLorazepam has a calming, muscle relaxant effect, reduces anxiety and can prevent or combat epileptic seizures. This reduces withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, panic, tremors, increased heart rate, sweating and insomnia. You also reduce the risk of an epileptic seizure. Effect In injections, this drug works within four minutes. The effect lasts for about two hours. In tablets it works within one hour. The effect lasts for eight to twelve hours. Nausea and vomitingYou may experience nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy with cancer drugs. It is not clear exactly how this occurs. Certain substances may be released that can stimulate the vomiting center. You may also feel nauseous prior to chemotherapy. This is a response to memories of previous chemotherapy. Doctors prescribe lorazepam for severe nausea and vomiting at the thought of chemotherapy. You must then use the drug before treatment. It works within one hour of taking it. The effect lasts for eight to twelve hours. UnrestThis drug is sometimes given when you are very agitated or restless. This can be so serious that you are a danger to yourself and the environment. The counselor will first try to calm you down. If this fails, the care provider can give you a calming agent such as lorazepam. Anxiety about psychiatric disorders and brain damage Psychiatric disorders and brain damage can sometimes make people very restless, aggressive or anxious. Usually an antipsychotic drug, such as haloperidol, is prescribed against this anxiety. If that doesn’t work, doctors also sometimes prescribe lorazepam. Lorazepam in tablets works within 1 hour of taking it. The effect lasts for 8 to 12 hours. What side-effects should I pay attention to?In addition to the desired effect, this medicine can cause side effects, also the next day. The main side effects are the following. Regularly , especially during the first weeks of use. If you are taking this medicine as a sleep aid: rarely the next day
- Fatigue and less often drowsiness and sleepiness . This reduces your ability to react and concentrate, which increases the risk of accidents. Accidents can occur, for example: in traffic, when climbing a ladder, operating devices or during surveillance and control activities. But you are also more likely to fall if you have to get out of bed to go to the toilet at night.
Rarely , especially during the first weeks of use. If you are taking this medicine as a sleep aid: very rarely also the next day
- Impaired coordination . This may make you clumsy in your movements and have difficulty speaking (articulating) clearly.
- Muscle weakness , feeling of weakness in muscles . This side effect can cause the following other complaints. Blurred or double vision due to a temporary effect on the eye muscles. Urinary incontinence or difficulty in passing urine. These side effects are caused by insufficient control of the bladder muscle. Snoring due to the weakening of the uvula. During your sleep, have you ever had problems with your breath stopping for a short time ( sleep apnea )? You may be more affected by this medicine. Contact your doctor if you notice this. Fallespecially because this drug also decreases coordination. Especially the elderly and people with muscle diseases have a chance of this. People with myasthenia gravis (a serious muscle disease) may be more prone to this disease. Consult your doctor if symptoms get worse (such as general muscle weakness, double vision, closing eyelids, difficulty swallowing, chewing or breathing).
- Slower thinking , memory problems, difficulty concentrating, less alert, confusion. These complaints may increase if you use this medicine for a longer period of time.
- Decrease feelings : this drug not only flattens emotions such as fear and tension, but also positive ones, such as happiness and satisfaction. Your involvement and empathy for others can also diminish.
Rarely
- Gastrointestinal disorders , such as nausea, constipation and diarrhea, dry mouth or extra saliva, difficulty swallowing. Changed appetite: more or less appetite. This also changes body weight.
- Headache and dizziness . These side effects usually go away after some time as you get used to the drug.
- Sweating and palpitations .
- Dry eyes . Especially people with contact lenses can suffer from dry eyes.
- Rash and itching . Usually this is harmless, but (very rarely) the symptoms can be serious. If the rash looks unusual, if it affects you, or if you also develop a fever or blisters, see your doctor.
- Dependence . You may experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it. The chance of this is very small with short-term use. People who use this drug for more than two months in a row have a high chance of this. Therefore, always taper off gradually if you have been taking this medicine for more than two months as a sedative or daily for more than two weeks as a sleep aid.
- Reduced effectiveness as a sleep aid if you use this medicine every day for more than 2 weeks. The medicine then no longer works or works less well for sleeping. Therefore, use this medication only occasionally or for periods of up to two weeks.
Very rarely
- Nightmares, usually in the early morning. Unrest and irritability. So opposite symptoms than you would expect from this drug. Can also delusions and hallucinations occur. Children and the elderly are especially sensitive to these side effects. Consult the doctor in case of these symptoms. A lower dose or a different drug may be needed.
- Memory loss of events that occur while you are taking this drug. For example, night events.
- Depressed feelings can be revealed.
- Less sex drive .
Consult your doctor if you are experiencing too much of any of the above side effects or if you are experiencing other side effects that you are concerned about. How should I use this medicine? Look for the correct dosage on the label of the pharmacy. When? Anxiety and tension and panic disorder Distribute the tablets evenly throughout the day, approximately every 8 to 12 hours. Do you only use this medication in special cases, such as fear of flying? Then take it at least half an hour in advance. Insomnia Take it 1 hour before you want to go to sleep. Only take it if you have at least 8 hours to sleep after taking it. If you have to wake up before then, you will still be too bothered by the narcotic effect.Epilepsy You should use this medicine if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes. Alcohol withdrawal The first withdrawal symptoms usually develop within 12 hours. Take the first dose before then. Divide the tablets evenly throughout the day, approximately every 8 to 12 hours. How long? Anxiety or tensionUse longer than 2 months in a row is strongly discouraged. There is too much chance that you will become dependent on this medicine. This means that when you stop taking it, you will get withdrawal symptoms. Also try to reduce your anxiety and tension in another way. Ask your doctor for advice. Are you taking this drug with an antidepressant? In that case, you are usually supposed to taper off within a few weeks, because then the antidepressant will start to work. Panic disorder or general anxiety disorder Treatment often lasts six months to a year. After that, you should taper the dose for 3 months. Insomnia If you use this medicine once in a while, it can help you sleep well. If you use it almost every night, the effect will disappear after a few weeks. Therefore, only use it in special situations. With daily use for more than two weeks, you run the risk of ‘withdrawal insomnia’. Your body expects the effect of this drug to help you fall asleep. Therefore only use it occasionally and never more than a few days in a row. In any case, do not use it for longer than 4 weeks in a row. Epilepsy The seizure usually stops when you use this medicine once. Sometimes it is necessary to use this medicine several more times. Alcohol withdrawalThe withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol addiction usually disappear within a week. After that, you can stop using the drug in a few days. What if I miss a dose? Anxiety, tension or panic attacks There is no harm in missing a dose. However, if you have been taking it for several weeks, you will have gotten used to it and you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you forget to take the tablet. Are you used to taking a tablet two or three times a day and have you forgotten one? Never take a double dose. You can, however, catch up with the tablet if you take the next tablet at least three hours later. Insomnia Are you unable to sleep at night and still want to take a sleeping aid? This is possible, but keep in mind that the sleeping aid will work for a long time. It is difficult to wake up and you have a reduced reaction time during the day. There are sleeping tablets that have a shorter effect. Consult your doctor, he may be able to prescribe you a shorter-acting sleep medication for these situations. Preventing symptoms of alcohol withdrawal It is important to use this medicine consistently.
- If you are taking this medicine three times a day , will it be more than two hours before you normally take the next dose? Then take the forgotten dose. Will it take less than two hours? Skip the dose you missed.
- If you are taking this medicine twice a day , will it be more than four hours before you normally take the next dose? Then take the forgotten dose. Will it take less than four hours? Skip the dose you missed.
If I am on this medication, can I… drive? It can be dangerous to participate in traffic while taking this medicine. Do you want to know whether you can drive a car with this medicine? Then answer the questions in the diagram below. Note: if you have epilepsy, you are often not allowed to drive. Whether you are allowed to drive depends on certain inspection requirements. Discuss this with your doctor. There is also a brochure ‘Epilepsy and fitness to drive’ from the Epilepsy Fund. Previous treatment for addiction or severe panic attacks can also be a reason that you are not allowed to drive. Would you like more information about driving with certain conditions? Then take a look at the website of the CBR . * Please note:Are you taking this medicine as a sleep aid? It only works well if you use it occasionally. The effect decreases with daily use. Your body then gets used to the effect. For more general information you can read the topic ‘Medicines in traffic’. In this theme you can read, for example, what the law says about medicines in traffic. You will also find advice that you should take into account if you are allowed to drive (again). drinking alcohol? Limit the use of alcohol and avoid drinking it. This medicine makes you react much more strongly to alcohol than you are used to. In addition, alcohol enhances the side effects of this drug, such as drowsiness and reduced coordination. eat everything? There are no restrictions for this with this medication.Does this medicine interact with other medications? This drug interacts with other drugs that decrease responsiveness. These medicines often have a yellow warning sticker on the packaging . The effects on responsiveness and coordination capacity are mutually reinforcing. Then lorazepam can work for more than three days. For example, you will no longer be able to drive a car. Are you unsure whether the above interaction is of interest to you? Please contact your pharmacist or doctor. Can I use this medicine if I am pregnant, planning to become or breastfeeding? PregnancyTell your doctor and pharmacist as soon as you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon. Not enough is known about the use of this medicine during pregnancy to know for sure whether it is safe. Therefore, work with your doctor to weigh the severity of your condition against the risk to the child. DO NOT take this medication from the eighth month of pregnancy. When used after the eighth month, your child may be so dazed and floppy after birth that it has difficulty breathing. In addition, withdrawal symptoms may develop in the baby. Single use during an epilepsy attack is possible. Discuss this with your doctor. Breast-feeding If you want to breast-feed, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This drug passes into breast milk. It can then cause side effects in the child. Your doctor may be able to (temporarily) prescribe you another medicine that you can use safely. Can I just stop with this medicine? If you have only used this medicine for a few days in a row, you can stop all at once. In general, withdrawal symptoms will not occur. Have you used it for a long time? Then the following information is important to you. When used during the day
- After a few weeks to months of use, you may have gotten used to the feeling that this medicine makes you. For example, you only dare to leave the house with the drug. If you notice this, please contact your doctor for advice on tapering off.
- After a few weeks to months of use, you should taper off slowly. If you stop suddenly, you may have withdrawal symptoms within a few days. For example palpitations, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, a rushed feeling, muscle cramps, tremors and hypersensitivity to light, sound and touch.
- These withdrawal symptoms are difficult to distinguish from symptoms of anxiety and tension. It then seems as if the complaints for which you originally received this medicine are coming back. Do not start again with the drug, but try to get rid of your complaints in a different way. Otherwise you run the risk of ending up in a vicious circle.
- If you reduce the dose for a few weeks to months, you will have no or less withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on a good tapering schedule . Sometimes it is better to switch to a different sedative first, which is easier to taper off.
When used as a sleeping aid
- Have you used this medicine as a sleep aid for more than two weeks in a row, and then suddenly stop using it? Then you run the risk of ‘withdrawal insomnia’. Your body expects the effect of the sedative to help you fall asleep. This makes sleeping more difficult in the beginning. Therefore only use it occasionally and never more than a few days in a row. Have you used it for a long time? Then gradually reduce the dosage.