The use of opioids with benzodiazepines should be avoided. When used together, benzodiazepines and opioids can increase the risk of respiratory depression, coma, and even death. Patients should be monitored closely when these two classes of drugs are taken together. Lorazepam and diazepam are Schedule IV drugs.
Those with a past history of alcohol or substance abuse may be at a higher risk of dependence and abuse with benzodiazepines. Dependence and abuse may increase the risk of an overdose with benzodiazepines. Signs and symptoms of a benzodiazepine overdose include severe loss of coordination, dangerously low blood pressure hypotension , respiratory depression, and coma.
Only the lowest effective dose of lorazepam or diazepam should be used. Consult a doctor or healthcare professional on other possible warnings and precautions. Lorazepam is the generic name for Ativan. It is part of a class of medications known as benzodiazepines. Lorazepam is available as an oral tablet in strengths of 0. It can also be administered as an oral solution or injection.
Lorazepam is approved to treat anxiety and insomnia caused by anxiety. It can also be used as a treatment for seizure disorders or premedication before surgery.
Diazepam is also known by its brand name, Valium. It is a benzodiazepine that is FDA approved to treat anxiety, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, and muscle spasms. It can also be used for seizure disorders and sedative purposes before surgery. Diazepam is available in 2 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg oral tablets.
It also comes as an oral solution, injection, and rectal gel. Lorazepam and diazepam are both benzodiazepines, but they are not the same. They come in different formulations and have different FDA-approved uses. They also have different age restrictions: Lorazepam is not recommended in children under 12 years old while diazepam is not recommended in infants younger than 6 months.
Lorazepam and diazepam are both effective drugs. Diazepam lasts in the body longer than lorazepam. The effectiveness of the benzodiazepine will depend on the condition being treated, among other factors. Consult a healthcare provider to determine the best treatment for you. It is not recommended to take lorazepam or diazepam while pregnant. Although diazepam may be slightly safer than lorazepam during pregnancy, not enough studies have shown that benzodiazepines are completely safe while pregnant.
Consult a healthcare provider before taking a benzodiazepine during pregnancy. Combining alcohol and benzodiazepines is not recommended. Both alcohol and benzodiazepines can cause CNS side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. Taking these substances together can increase the risk of side effects and overdose. The right dosage of lorazepam will depend on the condition being treated. Consult a doctor for professional medical advice and proper instructions on how to use this medication.
A standard dose of lorazepam could be anywhere from 2 to 6 mg by mouth two to three times per day. Diazepam lasts longer than lorazepam. It is considered a long-acting benzodiazepine with a half-life of up to 48 hours. Long-acting benzodiazepines include Valium diazepam , Librium chlordiazepoxide , and Dalmane flurazepam.
It is not generally recommended to take Ativan lorazepam long term. Not enough studies have been conducted on the safety and effectiveness of Ativan past four months of use. Some people develop a dependence and tolerance to Ativan, which can affect how well it works over time. Ativan should only be used as prescribed by a healthcare provider. Lorazepam is an intermediate-acting benzodiazepine. The effects of lorazepam may be felt within 1 to 1.
The half-life of lorazepam is around 10 to 20 hours. Other intermediate-acting benzodiazepines include Xanax alprazolam , Klonopin clonazepam , and Restoril temazepam. Skip to main content Search for a topic or drug. Lorazepam vs. By Gerardo Sison, Pharm. Updated on Jul. Top Reads in Drug vs. Toujeo vs Lantus: Main Differences and S Dulera vs Advair: Main Differences and S Suboxone vs Methadone: Main Differences Looking for a prescription?
Search now! Type your drug name. For anxiety: Starting dose: 2 to 3 mg by mouth 2 to 3 times per day Maintenance dose: 2 to 6 mg 2 to 3 times per day. Drugs with a shorter half-life, while more short-acting, are often felt more intensely.
Drugs with short half-life also create their effect more rapidly. These characteristics make these substances more attractive to recreational drug abusers. Benzodiazepine drug abusers often prefer short-acting, high-potency benzos, such as lorazepam or alprazolam, due to their fairly rapid and intense high.
Though not prescribed in the United States, flunitrazepam Rohypnol is sold illicitly on the streets. Used as a date rape drug, Rohypnol is a high-potency benzodiazepine with a relatively long half-life. Benzodiazepine medications are sedative-hypnotics, meaning they create calming or tranquilizing effects. Because of this, these drugs are prescribed to treat anxiety, insomnia, panic and seizure disorders, and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
Certain ones may also be used as muscle relaxants. The same actions which make these medications valuable within treatment also make them enticing to drug abusers. Benzodiazepines take several forms, including as an extended-release long-acting capsule, liquid, tablet, or orally-disintegrating tablet. Any of these forms may be abused to create a sedated effect or euphoria. When abused, benzodiazepines are taken orally in doses larger and more frequent than would be prescribed. The medication may also be crushed so that it can be snorted, smoked, or injected.
No matter how benzodiazepines are abused, the potential for dependence and addiction runs high. Aside from addiction, benzodiazepine abuse carries with it a host of adverse health effects and dangers.
These include:. Like all forms of drug abuse, individuals who abuse benzodiazepines frequently experience an extreme loss of quality of life. Benzodiazepine abuse has been linked to increased risks of suicide and suicidal ideation thoughts of suicide. Prolonged benzodiazepine abuse can cause some very problems the drugs are designed to treat. When a physically-dependent person quits benzodiazepines, withdrawal can set in. In certain cases, withdrawal may last for several months.
This is called post-acute withdrawal syndrome PAWS. Individuals facing PAWS experience anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Acute withdrawal from benzodiazepine drugs can become very dangerous, to the extent that professional treatment is necessary medical detox. Certain individuals may experience withdrawal so severe that their life is in jeopardy.
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