Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Ativan as follows: Respiratory depression Ativan, especially when taken in high doses, can lead to depression of respiratory center in the brain and difficulty breathing. Severe cases might also lead to emergency situations, such as, respiratory arrest and can result in serious debility and death. Avoid taking Ativan along with any other drugs carrying the potential for causing central nervous system and respiratory depression, such as, OTC [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Ativan as follows: Tolerance Individuals develop tolerance to the dose of Ativan with diminished therapeutic response over time. Report to your physician regarding any blunting of therapeutic response, with diminishing control or reverting of anxiety episodes, seizures, muscle cramps, nervousness, irritability, restlessness, and insomnia, based on your health history for which Ativan is prescribed. Your physician could consider a change in the plan of care to provide [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on how to take Ativan as follows: Take the medication dose at the same time every day, for the duration prescribed. This can help with maintaining the required therapeutic concentration of medication in the blood and maintain compliance with intake of medication. Maintain strict compliance with intake of the medication as ordered, with regards to dosage and frequency, to derive the benefit of the medication. Do not change the dose on this [...]

Patient/caregiver was instructed upon therapeutic uses of Ativan as follows: Alcohol withdrawal Individuals on sudden abstinence from alcohol consumption after chronic addiction to alcohol and alcoholic products can present with withdrawal symptoms, such as, agitation, anxiety, and hallucinations. Ativan, by calming the agitation and anxiety, can help control the symptoms of acute/sudden alcohol withdrawal. Obsessive-compulsive disorders Anxiety contributes heavily to continuation of obsessive compulsive behaviors in individuals with history of obsessive compulsive disorders (OCDs). Control [...]

Patient/caregiver was instructed upon therapeutic uses of Ativan as follows:    Anxiety By depressing the brain and spinal cord, ativan promotes dizziness, reduces activity, and alertness.  This can help to reduce excitability and relieve symptoms of anxiety in individuals with history. Panic disorders and dysphoria By allaying the fears and calming down anxiety, ativan can help with offering relief with panic disorders and dysphoric states. Ativan can also be used to calm the anxiety associated [...]