Ativan Side Effects
Generic name: lorazepam
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 20, 2024.
Note: This document provides detailed information about Ativan.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to lorazepam: compounding powder, injectable solution, intravenous solution, oral capsule extended release, oral concentrate, oral tablet.
General
Oral: The most commonly reported side effects included sedation, dizziness, weakness, and unsteadiness Side Effects associated with lorazepam. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Ativan.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to lorazepam: compounding powder, injectable solution, intravenous solution, oral capsule extended release, oral concentrate, oral tablet.
General
Oral: The most commonly reported side effects included sedation, dizziness, weakness, and unsteadiness.
Parenteral: The most commonly reported side effects included somnolence, respiratory failure, hypotension, and injection site reactions (pain and burning).[Ref]
Local
Parenteral:
Very common (10% or more): Burning (up to 17%), pain (up to 17%)
Common (1% to 10%): Painful response, redness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site reaction
Frequency not reported: Arteriospasm, gangrene, injection site tolerance[Ref]
Nervous system
Dose-dependent central nervous system depression, increased sedation, and unsteadiness were associated with increased age.[Ref]
Oral:
Very common (10% or more): Sedation (up to 15.9%)
Common (1% to 10%): Anterograde amnesia, ataxia, daytime drowsiness, dizziness, drowsiness, unsteadiness
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Dysarthria, headache, memory impairment, reduced alertness, slurred speech, transient anterograde amnesia
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Coma, extrapyramidal reactions/extrapyramidal symptoms, tremor
Frequency not reported: Amnesia, autonomic manifestations, balance disorders, convulsions/seizures, extremity numbness/tingling, hyperreflexia, hypersensitivity to light/noise/sound, impaired perception, involuntary movements, prolonged response times, short-term memory loss, vertigo
Parenteral:
Common (1% to 10%): Ataxia, coma, dizziness, drowsiness, excessive drowsiness/sleepiness, headache, sedation, somnolence, stupor
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Brain edema, convulsion, myoclonus, tremor
Frequency not reported: Amnesia, balance disorder, central nervous system effects, decreased ability to perform complex mental functions, dysarthria, extrapyramidal symptoms, memory impairment, seizures, slurred speech, transient anterograde amnesia, unsteady gait, vertigo
Postmarketing reports: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, paralysis[Ref]
Psychiatric
Oral:
Common (1% to 10%): Confusion, depression, unmasking of depression
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Change in libido, impotence, less intense orgasm/decreased orgasm
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Change in libido, confusion, decreased orgasm, depression, disinhibition, euphoria, numbed emotions, sleep disturbances, unmasking of depression
Frequency not reported: Aggression, aggressive behavior, aggressiveness, agitation/states of agitation, anxiety, behavioral disorder, catatonia, delirium, delusion, dependence, depersonalization, derealization, disorientation, drug withdrawal symptoms, dysphoria, excitement/excitation, hallucinations, hostility, impaired attention/concentration, impotence, inappropriate behavior, increased dreaming, inner restlessness, insomnia, irritability, loss of reality, nightmares, panic attacks, psychoses, rage, restlessness, sexual arousal, sleep disorders, stimulation, suicidal attempt/ideation, tension/states of tension,, withdrawal phenomena
Parenteral:
Common (1% to 10%): Confusion, delirium, depression, restlessness, unmasking of depression, visual hallucinations
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal thinking, agitation, ataxia, change in libido, decreased orgasm, hallucinations
Frequency not reported: Aggression, agitation, anxiety, disinhibition, excitation, euphoria, hostility, impaired attention/concentration, inappropriate behavior, insomnia, irritability, mania, psychosis, rage, sexual arousal, sleep disturbances, stimulation, suicidal attempt/ideation
Postmarketing reports: Acute brain syndrome, nervousness[Ref]
Other
Oral:
Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, fatigue, lassitude, weakness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chills
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hypothermia
Frequency not reported: Hyperacusis, hyperthermia, paradoxical reactions, rebound phenomena
Parenteral:
Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, crying, fatigue, sobbing
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chills
Frequency not reported: Depressed hearing, enhanced sensitivity to alcoholic beverages, falls, hypothermia, paradoxical reactions, tinnitus
Postmarketing reports: Fatalities[Ref]
Respiratory
Oral:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Apnea, respiratory depression, worsening of obstructive pulmonary disease, worsening of sleep apnea
Parenteral:
Common (1% to 10%): Apnea, hypoventilation, respiratory disorder, respiratory failure
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyperventilation
Frequency not reported: Airway obstruction, worsening of obstructive pulmonary disease, worsening of sleep apnea
Postmarketing reports: Lung edema, lung hemorrhage, pneumothorax, pulmonary hypertension, respiratory arrest[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Oral:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hypotension
Frequency not reported: Palpitations, small decreases in blood pressure, tachycardia
Parenteral:
Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension
Frequency not reported: Decreased blood pressure
Postmarketing reports: Arrhythmia, bradycardia, heart arrest/failure, heart block, pericardial effusion, tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmia[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Oral:
Frequency not reported: Muscle pain, myalgia
Parenteral:
Common (1% to 10%): Muscle weakness[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Oral:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nausea
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Constipation, salivation changes
Frequency not reported: Abdominal cramps, abdominal spasms, diarrhea, dry mouth, gastrointestinal symptoms, hypersalivation, vomiting
Parenteral:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased salivation, nausea, vomiting
Frequency not reported: Constipation
Postmarketing reports: Gastrointestinal hemorrhage[Ref]
Metabolic
Oral:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Change in appetite, increase in alkaline phosphatase
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hyponatremia
Frequency not reported: Loss of appetite
Parenteral:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Acidosis, increased alkaline phosphatase
Frequency not reported: Hyponatremia[Ref]
Dermatologic
Oral:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Allergic dermatitis, rash
Frequency not reported: Allergic skin reactions, alopecia, dermatological symptoms, sweating
Parenteral:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypertension, hypotension
Frequency not reported: Allergic skin reactions, alopecia, skin rash[Ref]
Hepatic
Oral:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Abnormal liver function test values, increase in bilirubin, increase in liver transaminases, jaundice
Parenteral:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal liver function tests
Frequency not reported: Increased bilirubin, increased liver transaminases, jaundice
Postmarketing reports: Liver damage[Ref]
Genitourinary
Oral:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Impotence
Parenteral:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Impotence
Postmarketing reports: Urinary incontinence[Ref]
Immunologic
Parenteral:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Infection[Ref]
Renal
Parenteral:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cystitis[Ref]
Ocular
Oral:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Blurred vision, diplopia, eye function/visual disturbance
Parenteral:
Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, diplopia, visual disturbances[Ref]
Hematologic
Oral:
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Agranulocytosis, leukopenia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia
Parenteral:
Frequency not reported: Agranulocytosis, hypochromic anemia, leukocytosis, pancytopenia, thrombocythemia, thrombocytopenia
Postmarketing reports: Coagulation disorder[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Oral:
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Anaphylactoid reactions, anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity
Frequency not reported: Angioedema, hypersensitivity reactions
Parenteral:
Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reactions, anaphylactoid reactions, angioedema, hypersensitivity reactions[Ref]
Endocrine
Oral:
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)
Parenteral:
Frequency not reported: SIADH
Postmarketing reports: Aggravation of pheochromocytoma[Ref]
References
1. (2002) "Product Information. Ativan (lorazepam)." Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
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Ativan side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.