Ativan

lorazepam tablets

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

benzodiazepines may lead to If you take it after the expiry date

What is in this leaflet dependence on the medicine. has passed, it may not work as well
or have no effect at all.
This leaflet answers some common Ask your doctor if you have any
questions about ATIVAN. It does questions about why ATIVAN Do not give this medicine to
not contain all of the available has been prescribed for you. children unless advised by the
information. child’s doctor.
Your doctor may have prescribed it
It does not take the place of talking for another purpose. The safety and effectiveness of
to your doctor or pharmacist. ATIVAN in children under 16 years
This medicine is available only with has not been established.
All medicines have risks and a doctor’s prescription.
benefits. Your doctor has weighed Before you take it
the risks of you taking ATIVAN
against the benefits this medicine is You must tell your doctor if:
expected to have for you.
Before you take it 1. you have any allergies to:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if
• any other medicines
you have any concerns about
taking this medicine. When you must not take it • any other substances, such
as foods, preservatives or
Do not take ATIVAN if: dyes.
Keep this leaflet with the
medicine.
1. you are allergic to: 2. you are pregnant or planning
to become pregnant
You may need to read it again.
• lorazepam or any of the
ingredients listed at the end of Do not take ATIVAN if you are
this leaflet pregnant or planning to become
• any other medicine from the pregnant unless you and your
doctor have discussed the risks
What ATIVAN is used benzodiazepine group of
and benefits involved.
medicines.
for
2. you have severe and chronic 3. you are breast-feeding or
ATIVAN contains lorazepam as the lung disease plan to breast-feed
active ingredient which belongs to a
group of medicines called 3. you have sleep apnoea, a Do not take ATIVAN if you are
benzodiazepines. They are thought condition where you have breast-feeding or planning to
to work by their action on brain breathing problems when breast-feed unless you and your
chemicals. you sleep. doctor have discussed the risks
and benefits involved.
ATIVAN is used to relieve anxiety. 4. you are depressed with or
However anxiety or tension without anxiety problems. 4. you have or have had any
associated with the normal stress other medical conditions
of everyday life usually does not Lorazepam can increase including:
require treatment with medicines. thoughts of death or suicide.
• liver, kidney or lung disease
It is also used before surgery to Do not take ATIVAN if the • blood disorders
help relax you. packaging is torn or shows signs • fits or convulsions
of tampering. • severe muscle weakness known
In general, benzodiazepines such as myasthenia gravis
as ATIVAN should be taken for Do not take ATIVAN after the • low blood pressure
short periods only (for example 2-4 expiry date (EXP) printed on the • glaucoma (high pressure in the
weeks). Continuous long term use pack. eye)
is not recommended unless • depression, psychosis or
advised by your doctor. The use of schizophrenia.

ATIVAN® - Consumer Medicine Information Page 1 of 4

5. you drink alcohol regularly. taken at bedtime is usually If you are taking ATIVAN for
prescribed. insomnia due to anxiety and
Alcohol may increase the effects of forget to take ATIVAN before you
ATIVAN. If you are taking ATIVAN before go to bed, do not take any
surgery the usual dose is 2 to 4 mg ATIVAN if you wake up late in the
If you have not told your doctor the night before surgery. Another night or early morning.
about any of the above, tell them dose of 2 to 4 mg may also be
before you take any ATIVAN. given 1 to 2 hours before surgery. Taking ATIVAN late at night or
early in the morning may make it
Taking other medicines Elderly people may need a lower hard for you to wake in the
dose. morning. If you have any questions
Tell your doctor if you are taking about this, ask your doctor or
any other medicines, including How to take it pharmacist.
medicines that you buy without a
prescription from a pharmacy, Swallow ATIVAN with a glass of If you take too much
supermarket or health food water. (overdose)
shop.
It may be taken with or without Immediately telephone your
Some medicines may interfere with food. doctor or Poisons Information
ATIVAN. These include: Centre (in Australia telephone 13
When to take it 11 26, in New Zealand telephone
• other sleeping tablets, sedatives 0800 764 766) for advice, or go to
or tranquillisers Your doctor will tell you how many casualty at your nearest hospital,
• medicines for depression times during the day you need to if you think that you or anyone
• medicines for allergies for take ATIVAN. else may have taken too much
example antihistamines or cold ATIVAN. Do this even if there are
tablets How long to take it no signs of discomfort or
• pain relievers poisoning. Also report any other
• muscle relaxants Do not take ATIVAN for longer medicine or alcohol which has
• medicines to control fits. than your doctor says. been taken.

These medicines may increase the ATIVAN is usually used for short You may need urgent medical
effects of ATIVAN. You may need periods only (for example 2-4 attention.
to take different amounts of your weeks). Continuous long term use
medicine or you may need to take is not recommended unless If you take too much ATIVAN you
different medicines. Your doctor advised by your doctor. The use of may feel drowsy, confused, tired,
will advise you. benzodiazepines may lead to dizzy, have difficulty breathing, feel
dependence on the medicine. weak or become unconscious.
Your doctor or pharmacist may
have more information on Continue taking ATIVAN as long
medicines to be careful with or as your doctor recommends it.
avoid while taking ATIVAN.
If you forget to take it While you are taking it
If it is almost time for your next Things you must do
dose, skip the dose you missed
How to take it and take your next dose when Take ATIVAN exactly as your
you are meant to. Otherwise, doctor has prescribed.
take it as soon as you remember,
How much to take
and then go back to taking it as Tell all doctors, dentists and
you would normally. pharmacists who are treating
The dose of ATIVAN may be
different for each person. Your you that you are taking ATIVAN.
Do not take a double dose to
doctor will decide the right dose for
make up for the dose that you If you become pregnant while
you.
missed. you are taking ATIVAN, tell your
For anxiety, the usual daily dose is doctor immediately.
If you have missed more than
2 to 3 mg administered in divided
two doses in a row, speak to Tell your doctor if you feel
doses. However, the daily dose can
your doctor or pharmacist. ATIVAN is not helping your
range from 1 to 10 mg.
condition.
If you are unsure about whether
For sleeping problems (insomnia)
to take your next dose, speak to If you are being treated for
due to anxiety, a dose of 1 to 2 mg
your doctor or pharmacist. anxiety, be sure to discuss with

ATIVAN® - Consumer Medicine Information Page 2 of 4

your doctor any problems you All medicines may have side
may have and how you feel, Do not stop taking ATIVAN or effects. Sometimes they are
especially if your anxiety attacks lower the dose, without first serious, most of the time they are
are getting worse or more checking with your doctor. not. You may need medical
frequent. treatment if you get some of the
Stopping this medicine suddenly side effects.
This will help your doctor to may cause some unwanted effects.
determine the best treatment for Your doctor will slowly reduce your Ask your doctor or pharmacist to
you. dose before you can stop taking it answer any questions you may
completely. have.
Visit your doctor regularly.
Do not suddenly stop taking If side effects do happen, they are
Your doctor needs to check your ATIVAN if you suffer from more likely to happen when you
progress and see whether you epilepsy. first start taking ATIVAN. These
need to keep taking ATIVAN. side effects may go away during
Stopping this medicine suddenly treatment as your body adjusts to
Always discuss with your doctor may make your epilepsy worse. the dose.
any problems or difficulties you
have during or after taking Do not use this medicine to treat However, tell your doctor if you
ATIVAN. any other complaints unless notice any of the following and
your doctor says to. they worry you:
Tell your doctor if, for any
reason, you have not taken your Do not give ATIVAN to anyone • drowsiness
medicine exactly as prescribed. else, even if their symptoms • dizziness
seem similar to yours. • sleepiness
Otherwise your doctor may think • clumsiness or unsteadiness
that it was not effective and change Things to be careful of • weakness
your treatment unnecessarily. • loss of memory.
Be careful when drinking alcohol
Keep enough ATIVAN to last while taking ATIVAN. These are the more common side
weekends and holidays. effects of ATIVAN.
Combining ATIVAN and alcohol
Things you must not do can make you more sleepy, dizzy Other less common or rare side
or lightheaded. effects include:
Do not drive or operate
machinery until you know how Your doctor may suggest that you • skin rashes
ATIVAN affects you. avoid alcohol or reduce the amount • feeling sick or vomiting
of alcohol you drink while you are
• outbursts of anger and
This medicine may cause taking ATIVAN.
increased excitement
drowsiness or dizziness in some
• confusion or depression
people and therefore may affect Be careful if you are elderly,
• headache
alertness. unwell or taking other medicines.
• sleep disturbances
Make sure you know how you react Some people may experience side • blurred vision
to ATIVAN before you drive a car, effects such as drowsiness, • low blood pressure
operate machinery, or do anything confusion, dizziness and • dry mouth
else that could be dangerous if you unsteadiness, which may increase • excessive salivation
are drowsy, dizzy or not alert. the risk of a fall. • changes in appetite
• nausea.
Even if you take ATIVAN at night,
you may still be drowsy or dizzy the Tell your doctor if you notice
next day. anything else that is making you
Side effects feel unwell when you are taking,
Do not take ATIVAN for a longer or soon after you have finished
time than your doctor has Tell your doctor or pharmacist as taking, ATIVAN.
prescribed. soon as possible if you do not
feel well while you are using Other side effects not listed above
ATIVAN should be taken for short ATIVAN. may occur in some people.
periods only (for example 2 to 4 Ask your doctor or pharmacist if
weeks), unless advised otherwise ATIVAN helps most people with there is anything you don’t
by your doctor. anxiety but it may have unwanted understand.
side effects in some people.
Do not change your dose without Do not be alarmed by this list of
first checking with your doctor. possible side effects.

ATIVAN® - Consumer Medicine Information Page 3 of 4

You may not experience any of
Product description Sponsor
them.
What it looks like In Australia:

ATIVAN 1 mg tablets are white to Aspen Pharma Pty Ltd

off white with a score to make them 34-36 Chandos Street,
After taking it easy to split. They are flat round St. Leonards NSW 2065
tablets with bevelled edges, Australia
bisected on one side and imprinted
Storage C11 on the other. In New Zealand:
Keep ATIVAN in a cool dry place ATIVAN 2.5 mg tablets are white to Pharmacy Retailing (NZ) Ltd t/a
where the temperature stays off white with a deep score to make Healthcare Logistics
below 25°C. them easy to split. They are flat 58 Richard Pearse Drive
round tablets with bevelled edges, Airport Oaks
Keep your tablets in their blister bisected on one side and imprinted AUCKLAND
pack until it is time to take them. C18 on the other.
Australian Registration Numbers:
If you take the tablets out of the box To break tablet, place on a hard
or the blister pack they may not surface with score facing upwards 1 mg tablets: AUST R 10387
keep well. and press gently on the tablet with (blister pack); AUST R 237801
your thumb. (bottle)
Do not store it or any other 2.5 mg tablets: AUST R 10388
medicines, in a bathroom or near ATIVAN 1 mg and 2.5 mg tablets (blister pack); AUST R 237802
a sink. Do not leave it in the car are supplied in blister packs or (bottle)
or on window sills. glass bottles in Australia. Each
pack contains 50 tablets. This leaflet was revised in
Heat and dampness can destroy 28 Jun 2022.
some medicines. ATIVAN 1 mg and 2.5 mg tablets
are supplied in glass bottles in New
Keep it where children cannot Zealand. ATIVAN 1 mg bottles
reach it. contain 50 tablets and 250 tablets.
ATIVAN 2.5 mg bottles contain 50
A locked cupboard at least one- tablets and 100 tablets.
and-a-half metres above the
ground is a good place to store Ingredients
medicines.
Active ingredient:
Disposal
Each ATIVAN 1 mg tablet contains
If your doctor tells you to stop 1 mg lorazepam.
taking ATIVAN or the tablets
have passed their expiry date, Each ATIVAN 2.5 mg tablet
ask your pharmacist what to do contains 2.5 mg lorazepam.
with any tablets left over.
Inactive ingredients:

• magnesium stearate
• microcrystalline cellulose
• polacrilin potassium
• lactose monohydrate

ATIVAN does not contain gluten,

sucrose, tartrazine or any other azo
dyes.

ATIVAN® - Consumer Medicine Information Page 4 of 4