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What Are The Side Effects Of Taking Ativan?

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Posted on Wed, 16 Sep 2015
Twitter Wed, 16 Sep 2015 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 7 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on
Question : what are the side effects of taking ativan as far as driving is concerned?
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Sedation and difficulty concentrating would be some of the main things.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM,

Ativan is a drug in the family of benzodiazepines - so is Valium. Benzodiazepines are used for lowering anxiety, for sedation, and for muscle relaxation. So you can get an idea of how this might affect driving based on their uses.

Depending on when Ativan/lorazepam is taken, the dose, the frequency, and how your body reacts to it, will determine it's effects too.

Some of the side effects are sleepiness, fatigue, muscle weakness and incoordination, blurred vision, forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating.

But you may get none of these side effects.

Usually there is more sedation in the first few weeks of taking Ativan.

It's best to take it on a day you will not have to be driving so that you can see how your body reacts to it.

I hope this information helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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What Are The Side Effects Of Taking Ativan?

Brief Answer: Sedation and difficulty concentrating would be some of the main things. Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to HCM, Ativan is a drug in the family of benzodiazepines - so is Valium. Benzodiazepines are used for lowering anxiety, for sedation, and for muscle relaxation. So you can get an idea of how this might affect driving based on their uses. Depending on when Ativan/lorazepam is taken, the dose, the frequency, and how your body reacts to it, will determine it's effects too. Some of the side effects are sleepiness, fatigue, muscle weakness and incoordination, blurred vision, forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating. But you may get none of these side effects. Usually there is more sedation in the first few weeks of taking Ativan. It's best to take it on a day you will not have to be driving so that you can see how your body reacts to it. I hope this information helps.