ATIVAN®TRANSCRIPT (page 1 of 3)If you have anxiety, or insomnia, which means you have trouble sleeping, you may beprescribed Ativan. You may also be familiar with its generic name, Lorazepam. Ativanis a high alert medication, which means if you do not take it exactly as prescribed, itmay cause illness or injury.To understand how Ativan works, let’s look at what causes anxiety and insomnia.Your brain is constantly firing information and messages to the rest of your body,telling you what to think, what to feel and what to do.When you are faced with a situation that makes you anxious, your brain puts you ina state of alert and gets you ready to face the situation. When it passes, the nervesignals in your brain slow down and your body calms. But when you suffer fromanxiety, or insomnia, your brain can’t turn off that state of alert, making it difficult tocalm down or to fall asleep.Ativan enhances a chemical in the brain called GABA, which helps calm down thesignals that are firing in your brain so you can relax and fall asleep.Ativan comes in a tablet or liquid. Your healthcare provider will decide how much youneed to take and how best to take it, but tablets come in 0.5 milligrams, 1 milligramand 2 milligram dosages.Ativan is a powerful medication. Some people should not take it. Do not take Ativanif you are allergic to the ingredients in it or if you are allergic to other anti-anxietymedications like Xanax or Valium.Do not take Ativan if you are pregnant. This medication can harm your baby.If you are breastfeeding, tell your healthcare provider before using Ativan.A different medication may be safer for you and your baby.20% gradient meshBefore taking Ativan, tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of: liver orkidney disease, asthma or other breathing problems, glaucoma, or depression.healthclipshealthclipsAtivan can be highly addictive. If you have a history of abuse of: street drugs,prescription medications or alcohol, tell your healthcare provider. There may be adifferent medication available for you.healthclips(Continued on next page)healthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_md_10028_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient meshATIVAN®TRANSCRIPT (page 2 of 3)Before taking Ativan, give your healthcare provider a complete list of all othermedications you use, including vitamins and herbal supplements.Some side effects of Ativan include: drowsiness, trouble remembering things, muscleweakness, blurred vision, change in appetite, and headache. If you do notice any ofthese side effects contact your healthcare provider about how to manage them.Be aware that you are at an increased risk of falling while taking Ativan. Get up from asitting or lying position slowly.Do not drive or operate heavy machinery, including your car, until you know howAtivan affects you.Do not drink alcohol while taking Ativan. Drinking alcohol while taking Ativan cancause serious side effects leading to death.If you have an allergic reaction like: trouble breathing, hives, or swelling of your faceor throat; call 911. If you have: hallucinations, confusion, thoughts of hurting yourselfor others or if you feel like you are going to pass out; call your healthcare providerright away.This is not the complete list of side effects. Make sure you discuss all possible sideeffects with your healthcare provider.Take Ativan exactly as prescribed. Do not change your dose or take it for longer thanprescribed.If you have been prescribed liquid Ativan, only use the dropper supplied to measureyour dose.You may take your Ativan as needed, or you may need to take it several times20% gradient meshthroughout the day depending on your prescription. Try setting an alert on your phoneor watch so you don’t forget.healthclipsIf you are on a dosing schedule and miss a dose, take your Ativan as soon as possible.healthclipsIf it is almost time for your next dose, skip your missed dose and return to yournormal medication schedule. Do not double dose. If you think you have taken toomuch Ativan, call 911. An overdose can lead to death.healthclips(Continued on next page)healthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_md_10028_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient meshATIVAN®TRANSCRIPT (page 3 of 3)Store Ativan tablets away from moisture and direct sunlight. Your bathroom medicinecabinet is not the best place because of moisture. Liquid Ativan should be kept in yourrefrigerator. Always store your medication out of sight and out of reach of children toprevent accidents.When you are done taking Ativan tablets, crush all of your remaining pills and mixthem with undesirable trash like kitty litter or coffee grounds. Dispose of liquid Ativanby flushing it down a drain or toilet.Do not sell or give your Ativan to anyone else. It is against the law and can seriouslyharm anyone else taking it. Contact your local police station for more information onproper disposal directions.Ativan can help relieve your anxiety and help you get the sleep you need. But it isa powerful medication that should only be taken exactly as prescribed. If you haveany questions about Ativan, ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist for moreinformation.20% gradient meshhealthclipshealthclipshealthclipshealthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_md_10028_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient mesh
