MISUSE OF THIS MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.
You should not use Ativan if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, severe respiratory insufficiency, myasthenia gravis, or if you are allergic to Valium or a similar medicine.
Do not use Ativan if you are pregnant. Lorazepam can cause birth defects or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in a newborn.
Lorazepam may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Misuse of habit-forming medicine can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Ativan should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Fatal side effects can occur if you take lorazepam with alcohol, opioid medicine, or other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.
Before taking this medicine
You should not take Ativan if you have:
narrow-angle glaucoma; or
a history of allergic reaction to any benzodiazepine (lorazepam, alprazolam>, diazepam, Klonopin, Restoril, Tranxene, Valium, Versed, Xanax, and others).
To make sure Ativan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
breathing problems such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or sleep apnea (breathing that stops during sleep);
drug or alcohol addiction;
depression, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or behavior;
kidney or liver disease;
seizures; or
glaucoma.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Lorazepam may harm an unborn baby. Avoid taking this medicine during the first trimester of pregnancy.
If you use lorazepam while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor if you notice drowsiness or fussiness in the nursing baby.
Ativan is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.
