Ativan is a medication used to treat various mental health disorders, including anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and generalized anxiety disorders. It may also be prescribed for the treatment of seizures and insomnia.
Ativan addiction is a dangerous situation for the people who are addicted to it. They can be at risk of committing suicide or even hurting themselves because the addiction makes them feel so desperate and depressed.
The development of a drug addiction is a complicated concept to understand – especially when it comes to treating the problem. Addiction can develop from taking medications as prescribed, or from misusing them for non-medical purposes. In some cases, the drugs used to treat one medical condition may actually lead to another unexpected issue that needs further assistance from ativan addiction rehab program.
There are some ways that someone with an Ativan addiction can get help. They can call their local emergency line or they can go to their family doctor or emergency room (ER) for assistance to visit arcsfl.
How Long Should I Take It?
Ativan is generally prescribed for short-term use, typically lasting 4-6 weeks. Some people may take the medication for extended periods to manage severe anxiety or panic attacks. If you are taking Ativan without a prescription or are taking an incorrect dosage, talk to your doctor immediately.
Ativan is generally prescribed for short-term use, typically lasting 4-6 weeks. Some people may take the medication for extended periods to manage severe anxiety or panic attacks. If you are taking Ativan without a prescription or are taking an incorrect dosage, talk to your doctor immediately.
Does Ativan Cause Weight Gain?
Perhaps you already know that Ativan is a pill used to help people with anxiety and panic disorders. It’s sometimes prescribed for those who have trouble sleeping, but it can be habit-forming and lead to side effects if misused or taken for too long. One potential side effect of Ativan is weight gain.
While there isn’t a lot of definitive research on the matter, some studies suggest that there may be a link between Ativan and weight gain. For example, in one study, researchers found that people who took Ativan for an extended period were more likely to experience significant weight gain than those who didn’t take the medication.
The truth is that misused or inappropriately used Ativan, like any potent drug, can cause things like weight gain.
Does Ativan Cause Weight Gain?
As with any drug, the answer is “it depends.”
The first thing you have to know about Ativan is that the way it’s prescribed and how individuals use it impacts its side effects. This medication isn’t just one dosage – there are strengths of 0.25mg, 1mg, and 2mg pill types – and the higher the dosage, the stronger its effects. For instance, a patient prescribed to take Ativan for anxiety or panic attacks might take a whole 0.25 mg pill at one time, but someone who’s misusing this prescription drug may decide to crush these pills into powder and snort the powder to get a higher high. This would cause side effects like weight gain and other potential adverse consequences of abusing an anti-anxiety medication.
Because Ativan is a depressant — which means it can slow down the brain and bodily functions — misuse or abuse of this drug could lead to serious health problems. Even if you are prescribed Ativan for anxiety or an anxiety-related disorder, it’s essential to know the signs of drug addiction so you can figure out whether your doctor is prescribing it correctly.
Doctors may prescribe Ativan to help calm patients down before surgery or other treatments, but only whole pill doses should be retaken. Doctors need to monitor any patient prescribed Ativan, and regular check-ups will help them determine whether this drug is helping the patient or causing dangerous side effects.
If you take Ativan for too long without tapering off your dosage, it could cause weight gain in addition to other harmful symptoms like confusion, depression, and impaired thinking.
To avoid these side effects, it’s crucial for both the doctor prescribing Ativan and the patient taking this drug to follow the doctor’s orders. It is a controlled substance, so you should only take the amount your doctor prescribes and not go over or under that dosage even if you don’t see immediate results.
If you have been prescribed Ativan or are taking it without a prescription, speak to your doctor before making any drastic changes.
What causes Ativan (Lorazepam) weight gain?
Ativan causes weight gain by slowing down the body’s metabolism and disrupting sleep cycles. The drug also has a sedating effect, leading to memory loss and problems with concentration or judgment.
When you take Ativan, your doctor prescribes this medication, which should be taken orally in whole tablet form.
Abusing the drug by crushing it up and snorting the crushed-up powder or injecting it into your veins can lead to serious side effects, including damage to your liver or kidneys, depression, psychotic symptoms like hallucinations, seizures, confusion, abdominal pain, changes in blood pressure with standing position (orthostatic hypotension), tachycardia, heart palpitations, and respiratory problems.
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What You Can Do to Avoid Weight Gain from Ativan
If you’ve been prescribed Ativan to treat anxiety or another condition, be sure to take your whole pill doses as instructed by your doctor.
To avoid the potential weight gain that comes with this medication, it’s essential to eat a low-calorie diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat and fish, beans, seeds, and nuts.
Avoid eating junk food and make healthy dietary choices. Junk food contains a lot of fat and is high in calories.
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and exercise regularly. Exercise is an excellent way for both physical and mental health. Ativan can cause weight gain by slowing down your metabolism, so regular exercise will help offset that effect.
Don’t drink alcohol while taking Ativan. Alcoholic drinks contain a lot of empty calories. If you mix Ativan and alcohol, it will only increase the risk of side effects like weight gain and impaired thinking or judgment.
Be sure to store your Ativan medication in its original container properly and consult your doctor before making any changes to your dosage schedule. This drug can be addictive if taken for too long, so it’s essential to be cautious.
Do not abruptly stop taking Ativan or change your dosage without first talking to your doctor. This medication is only supposed to be taken orally as it comes in pill form.
Check with your doctor how long you should take Ativan to receive the maximum benefit without increasing your risk of side effects.
You may want to talk with your doctor about possible alternatives medications that don’t pose as much risk for potential weight gains or other side effects, like kava, melatonin, probiotics, St. John’s Wort, taurine, or passionflower.
If you’re concerned about weight gain from Ativan (Lorazepam), talk to your doctor today about ways to stay healthy and slim.
What Causes Ativan (lorazepam) Weight Loss?
Ativan causes weight loss when it is taken to help treat anxiety or other mental health disorders by slowing down the central nervous system and reducing physical stimulation. The result is a sedating effect that can lead to drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, and impaired judgment.
When you take Ativan as prescribed by your doctor, this medication which is supposed to be taken orally as it comes in pill form (not injected or snorted), can help quiet your nerves and make you feel calmer.
Taking Ativan in the long-term may cause weight loss by slowing down the body’s ability to metabolize food, which means fewer calories are burned each day. When this happens, your body will stop eating to meet its average energy needs, causing you to lose weight.
Suppose Ativan is taken in excess or abused by crushing it up, snorting the crushed powder, or injecting it into your veins. In that case, this drug can cause serious side effects, including depression, confusion, psychotic symptoms like hallucinations, seizures, abdominal pain, changes in blood pressure with standing position (orthostatic hypotension), tachycardia, heart palpitations, and respiratory problems.
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What You Can Do to Avoid Weight Loss from Ativan
If you’re taking Ativan because of a mental health disorder, follow your doctor’s instructions for use and don’t stop taking the drug unless your doctor prescribes it. If you stop taking the medication too soon, you could experience withdrawal symptoms like elevated heart rate and blood pressure, seizures, depression, anxiety, and panic attacks.
To avoid weight loss while using this medication to treat a mental health disorder or other condition, it’s essential to take your whole pill doses as directed.
To avoid the potential weight loss that comes with taking Ativan in the long-term due to slowed metabolism of calories (fewer calories burned per day), make healthy eating choices like avoiding junk food and eating more fruits, vegetables, lean meat and fish, beans, seeds, and nuts.
When should I seek medical attention for my condition if I am experiencing weight gain from the drug Ativan?
If you’re experiencing weight gain from Ativan and it’s not related to a mental health disorder or other condition, consult with your doctor. Weight gain is a common side effect of this medication, but it may be a sign that you’re taking too much of the drug, which can lead to more severe side effects.
Your doctor will be able to help you manage your medication schedule and dosage levels so that you can take the appropriate amount of Ativan for your condition while minimizing weight gain, sedation, drowsiness, impaired judgment, and other side effects.
Are there any other side effects of taking Ativan that I should be aware of?
Ativan can cause several other side effects, including:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Slowed reaction time
- Fainting
- Dizziness
- Mood swings, irritability, or hostility
- Headache
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
- Weight gain (Not attributed to a mental health disorder)
- Nightmares or unusual dreams (REM sleep behavior disorder)
- Abnormal thinking and behavior including psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, paranoia)
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Seizures
- Changes in blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension) withstanding position
- Respiratory problems, including shortness of breath and chest tightness.
- Vomiting due to stomach pain
- Allergic reactions include difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the face or hands, and itchy skin
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Changes in sex drive
- Skin rash is also a potential side effect, but it’s less common.
- Hair loss
- Abdominal pain
- Tachycardia is a heart rate that is faster than usual.
- Heart palpitations are the feeling that your heart is pounding or racing.
If you’re experiencing any of these side effects, consult with your doctor. They may be able to adjust your dosage or change your medication to help minimize these side effects.
Who should take it?
Ativan is generally prescribed to adults and children above 12 years to manage anxiety disorders, panic disorders, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and social phobia. Ativan may also be used to treat insomnia and seizures in some cases.
It’s also prescribed off-label for patients who need relief from acute pain due to a medical condition. If you’re taking Ativan without a prescription or are taking an incorrect dosage, talk to your doctor immediately.
What else should I know about Ativan?
Although rare, Ativan can cause addiction, especially in people with substance abuse disorders. If you’re taking Ativan and find that you can’t stop taking it or you’re using it in larger doses than prescribed, talk to your doctor immediately, and they can help you get the treatment you need.
What are some alternatives to using a prescription pill like Ativan?
There are a few different types of medications that can treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Some people may also find relief from therapy, stress-relief exercises, or lifestyle changes.
If Ativan is no longer helping to treat your anxiety disorder, talk to your doctor about the possibility of switching medications. They may prescribe another benzodiazepine like Xanax or Klonopin or a different type of medication like antidepressants.
Several different types of therapy can effectively treat anxiety disorders, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Several different types of stress-relief exercises can be helpful, such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, or tai chi. Finally, making some changes to your lifestyle, such as getting more exercise or eating a healthy diet, can also help to reduce anxiety.
Is it possible to obtain Ativan without a prescription?
No, Ativan isn’t available over the counter, and you can only obtain it with a doctor’s prescription. The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) has classified benzodiazepines like Ativan as Schedule IV drugs, which means they have a high potential for abuse and addiction.
If you’re looking for an over-the-counter alternative to Ativan, there are a few different types of medications that may help treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. These are available at most pharmacies without a prescription.
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How Much Does Ativan Cost?
The exact price of Ativan will depend on your dosage, the pharmacy you’re ordering from, and any insurance coverage. It’s best to consult with your doctor before taking any medication so they can provide you with an accurate estimated price for purchasing it.
Ativan may be available as a generic medication, which can reduce the cost. However, not all pharmacies carry generic forms of Ativan, so it’s best to check with your local pharmacy.
