A Wisdom Archive on Lorazepam - Abuse

Lorazepam, like other benzodiazepines, can cause psychological and/or physical dependence. Withdrawal symptoms are similar in character to those of alcohol and barbiturates have been observed after abrupt discontinuation, therefore, a gradual taper is recommended over a period of weeks or even months, depending on the length of time it was used and the dosage taken. The likelihood of abuse, dependence and withdrawal symptoms is substantially greater with lorazepam relative to other benzodiazepines because of its short half-life, highe ...

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Daily doses vary greatly from 0.5 mg bedtime for insomnia and 2.5 mg every 6 hours and more in the acute treatment of mania, before the firstline drugs (lithium, valproic acid) control the situation. Catatonia with inability to speak is very responsive and sometimes controlled with a single dose of 2 mg oral or slow i.v. injection. Catatonia may reoccur and treatment for some days may be necessary. Sometimes haloperidol is given concomitantly. The control of status epilepticus requires slow i.v. injections of 2 to 4 (or even 8) mg. Patients should be closely monitored for respiratory ...

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Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety disorders and insomnia, as well as certain types of seizures. It is sold under the brand names Ativan®, Temesta®, Tavor® (in Europe) and as generic lorazepam. It is available in tablets and as a solution for intramuscular and intravenous injections. Its formula is C15H10Cl2N2O2 and its CAS number is 846-49-1. Pharmacologically it is classified as a sedative-hypnotic, anxiolytic and anticonvulsant.Including:

• Lorazepam - Indications
• Lorazepam - Pharmacological Data and Pharmacokinetics
• Lorazepam - Dosage
• Lorazepam - Disadvantages
• Lorazepam - Abuse
• Lorazepam - Legal issues

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A sedative is a drug that depresses the central nervous system (CNS), which causes calmness, relaxation, reduction of anxiety, sleepiness, slowed breathing, slurred speech, staggering gait, poor judgment, and slow, uncertain reflexes. Sedatives may be referred to as tranquilizers, depressants, anxiolytics, soporifics, sleeping pills, downers, or sedative-hypnotics. At high doses or when they are abused, many of these drugs can cause unconsciousness and death. Sedative - Types of sedative. ... Including:

• Sedative - Types of sedative
• Sedative - Therapeutic use
• Sedative - Sedative dependence
• Sedative - Abuse and overdoses
• Sedative - Sedatives and alcohol
• Sedative - Lookalikes
• Sedative - Sedative drugs and crime

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The benzodiazepines are a class of drugs with hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, amnestic and muscle relaxant properties. Benzodiazepines are often used for short-term relief of severe, disabling anxiety or insomnia. Long-term use can be problematic due to the development of tolerance and dependency. They are believed to act on the GABA receptor GABAA, the activation of which dampens higher neuronal activity. They began to be widely prescribed for stress-related ailments in the 1960s and 1970s. Benzodiazepi ... Including:

• Benzodiazepine - Members
• Benzodiazepine - Effects
• Benzodiazepine - Uses
• Benzodiazepine - Side-effects
• Benzodiazepine - Abuse and dependence
• Benzodiazepine - Intoxication
• Benzodiazepine - Legal status
• Benzodiazepine - History
• Benzodiazepine - Pharmacology
• Benzodiazepine - Reference

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Anterograde amnesia is a form of amnesia, or memory loss, where new events are not transferred to long-term memory. After the onset of the disorder, the sufferer will not be able to remember anything that occurs after his attention is shifted away from one subject for more than a few seconds. Those who suffer from theoretically pure anterograde amnesia will still be able to remember memories laid down before the onset of anterograde amnesia, but will exist in a transient world where anything beyond their immediate attention-span disappears permanently from their consciousness. In reality, anterograde amnesia i ... Including:

• Anterograde amnesia - Famous cases
• Anterograde amnesia - Anterograde amnesia in fiction

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Amphetamine 1-phenylpropan-2-amine Class B (UK) diet suppressant ADD ADHD narcolepsy treatment-resistant depression Recreational uses: Stimulant Other uses: Used by the US military to combat fatigue and increase wakefulness CNS Stimulants MAOI use dizziness tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) sweating decrease in appetite/weight loss enhanced feelings of well-bei ... Including:

• Amphetamine - Pharmacology
• Amphetamine - Medicinal use
• Amphetamine - Performance enhancing use
• Amphetamine - Effects of use
• Amphetamine - Physiological effects
• Amphetamine - Legal issues
• Amphetamine - Books
• Amphetamine - Notes

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Diazepam, market under brand names of: Valium, Seduxen; and in Europe Apozepam, Diapam, is a 1,4-benzodiazepine derivative, which possesses anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative and skeletal muscle relaxant properties. Diazepam is used to treat anxiety and tension, and is the most effective benzodiazepine for treating muscle spasms. It is also used as a sedative premedication for various medical procedures, and to treat alcohol and opiate withdrawal symptoms. Occasionally, diazepam is used by military and pa ... Including:

• Diazepam - Mode of action
• Diazepam - Pharmacokinetics
• Diazepam - Experimentation
• Diazepam - Half-Life
• Diazepam - Indications
• Diazepam - Veterinary Uses
• Diazepam - Contraindications
• Diazepam - Side effects
• Diazepam - Routine examinations needed under long-term treatment
• Diazepam - Interactions
• Diazepam - High Risk patients for abuse and dependence
• Diazepam - Withdrawal procedure after long-term treatment
• Diazepam - Dose Recommendations
• Diazepam - Dose Forms
• Diazepam - Recreational Use
• Diazepam - Overdose
• Diazepam - Fatal Reaction
• Diazepam - Occurrence in plants
• Diazepam - Inventor

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The side effects are predictable as they are intrinsic effects of the drug class of benzodiazepines. Knowing the relative effects of benzodiazepine types will help clinicians prescribe the most appropriate type. For example, lorazepam may not be best choice for longer term treatment in the elderly due to its stronger amnesic effects potentially aggravating forgetfulness and confusion. But then lorazepam may be a better choice for short term treatment of a younger, non-drin ...

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