LORAZEPAM - INJECTION (Ativan) side effects, medical uses, and drug interactions.

lorazepam - injection, Ativan (cont.)

SIDE EFFECTS: Drowsiness, dizziness, or unsteadiness may occur. If this medication is injected into a muscle, pain/burning/redness at the injection site may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: slow/shallow breathing, loss of consciousness, pain/swelling at injection site (if this drug is injected into a vein), seizures, blurred vision, mental/mood changes (e.g., hallucinations, agitation, confusion).Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: change in the amount of urine, shortness of breath, fast breathing, muscle weakness.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS: Before using lorazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam), or to polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or benzyl alcohol; or if you have any other allergies.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: glaucoma (narrow-angle), breathing trouble during sleep (sleep apnea), severe breathing problems (except in patients who are breathing with help from a machine).Before using this medication, tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: glaucoma (open-angle), kidney disease, liver disease, personal or family history of regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol, breathing problems (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD).Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. For at least 8 hours after receiving this drug, you should not get out of bed without help. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until the effects of the medication wear off (at least 24 hours). Avoid alcoholic beverages.Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially drowsiness.This drug may have an opposite effect on children, causing restlessness, shaking (tremors), or mental/mood changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations).This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor for more details.This drug passes into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.