Lorazepam is the name of the drug that was originally (and in some cases still) soldby the names Temesta and Ativan. It is considered high potent and short to medium acting tri hydroxy benzodiazepine medicine. It is known for the fact the it has six out of six benzodiazepine effects, and those are antiemetic, anxiolytic, muscle relaxant, amnestic, anticonvulsant, and hypnotic/sedative effects. It is normally used to treat short-term anxiety, acute seizures, and insomnia and for sedation of patients in hospitals or highly aggressive patients.Lorazepam was discovered and introduced originally in 1977, and its original use was for treating anxiety. Comparable to other benzodiazepine-like drugs it is a short acting medicine, and it works by binding with the benzodiazepine-binding sites. These sites are mainly located in the GABA receptors inside the CNS. When compared to other similar benzodiazepine drugs Lorazepam is considered to have a somewhat high potential for developing addiction. It is also reported that the sedative or hypnotic properties and possible anterograde amnesia can be utilized for illegal purposes. It is also common known that the drug can often be used and abused illegally for recreational purposes and this can be harmful, and is strongly discouraged.Lorazepam is also famous for some of its long-termconsequences, which are:
- Tolerance – which means that over time the patient will develop improved tolerance and effects will begin to be lower and lower.
- Dependence – meaning that if taken longer than the maximum time recommended the patient will develop mild to high daily addiction to the drug and that some withdrawal symptoms.
- Benzodiazepine withdrawal condition – is a set of symptoms that are possible to appear after stopping using this drug after using it for a period of time that is longer than maximum recommended, it includes symptoms similar to alcohol or barbiturate symptoms but a lot more severe. They can go from insomnia, anxiety to seizures with possibly even in some cases psychosis.
- Red eye
- Cognitive impairment – that is for most patients completely reversible after cessation of the treatment, however cases have been documented where the reverse was not in full.
That is why due to rather high tolerance developing factor and high possible dependence Lorazepam should be practiced in short time periods only, meaning in range of two to four weeks and should not be exceeded unless specifically noted by your physician. Some of the adverse effects include possible anterograde amnesia, meaning the inability to create new short term memories while long-term memory is intact, also depression andpossible contradictory effects like excitement or deteriorating of attacks. As with all benzodiazepines children and elderly are known to be most susceptible to extreme opposingresults of Lorazepam, and is therefore recommended, to be taken only under special circumcises and with lowered doses specially prescribed for these two groups. Lorazepam can also hinder the balance and ability to stand still in human body and is thought to be connected to falling and fracturing of hips in the senior population who have been exposed to this drug on long term.