Treatment for conditions such as anxiety, panic disorders, neurosis, and neurotic disorders typically involves the use of tranquilizers known as anxiolytics. Among these medications is Ativan, categorized as a benzodiazepine tranquilizer. It exerts a comprehensive influence on the patient’s nervous system and mental well-being. While Ativan swiftly alleviates anxiety symptoms, it comes with a range of contraindications and potential side effects.
Presentation and Constituents
Both Ativan and its equivalents are available in tablet form, with 10 pills enclosed within each blister pack. The medication is packaged in cartons, and various dosages are accessible—1, 2, or 5 mg.
Certain analogs are also offered as solutions designed for intravenous or intramuscular administration. Regardless of the presentation, all these drugs share identical active ingredients:
- The primary active compound in the tablets is Ativan, with dosages of 1, 2, or 5 mg.
- The leading active component in the solution is also Ativan, available in dosages of 4 or 8 mg.
Ativan is absorbed gradually through the gastrointestinal tract, with peak concentration achieved within two hours, the level being contingent on the prescribed dosage. The active component undergoes swift metabolism in the liver, leading to the formation of the primary inactive metabolite. Complete elimination of the medication from the body takes place over a period of 24 to 36 hours.
Approved Uses
Ativan is prescribed to address the following medical conditions and disorders within the nervous system:
- Psychological ailments
- Intense emotional stress and anxiety
- Schizophrenia
- Symptoms of vegetative dystonia (VS)
- Asthenia
- Psychosomatic disorders
- Insomnia stemming from severe stress and anxiety
- Epilepsy (utilized as part of a comprehensive treatment regimen)
- Panic disorders
- Delirium tremens (employed as a component of combination therapy)
- Depression accompanied by anxiety (caution is essential when using the medication in this context)
- Headaches accompanied by heightened muscle tension
- Manic and catatonic disorders
- Neurosis and neurosis-like conditions characterized by tension and anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy
Limitations and Precautions
Ativan and its analogs are contraindicated for patients with the following conditions:
- Heightened sensitivity to the constituents of the drug
- Acute intoxication
- Angle-closure glaucoma
- Depressive neurosis
- Breastfeeding
- Myasthenia gravis
- Pregnancy
- Children under 12 years of age
Treatment Approach and Strategy
The recommended regimen involves ingesting the tablets thrice daily, accompanied by an ample quantity of water (each dose containing 1 mg).
To achieve a sleep-inducing effect, a dosage of 1-2 mg should be taken approximately 30 minutes before bedtime. Should acute anxiety arise, the daily dosage may be escalated to 6 mg.
For preoperative medication, the drug ought to be consumed one hour prior to surgery, with a recommended dosage range of 2.5-5 mg.
When treating seizures, gradual discontinuation of the medication is advised, spanning about one week for the course of therapy.
In cases involving intramuscular or intravenous administration, the maximum single dose should not exceed 50 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. The frequency and duration of the treatment course must be determined by the attending physician, contingent upon the patient’s medical condition. When administered intramuscularly or intravenously, the daily dosage should not surpass 4 mg.
