Ativan – A medicine to calm you down
Ativan, commonly known as Lorazepam, is a prescription sedative used to treat anxiety disorders. The pharmaceutical often known as a sedative-hypnotic is a derivation of the class of drugs and medications known as Benzodiazepines. Occasionally, physicians may prescribe this medication for sleeping disorders. In truth, the medicine is extremely distinct from the majority of pharmaceuticals in its class, since it is used to relax patients before to surgery or other medical procedures. In addition, Ativan is a common prescription for seizures and similar conditions, when it is administered in the hospital to calm the nerves. The anxiety medication is available in two forms for administration: pills and an intravenous injectable solution.
How does Ativan interact with neurochemicals?
The structure of Ativan has been designed to bind to benzodiazepine receptors on the post-synaptic GABA-A channel. It contributes to the increase in chloride ion conductance by generating a shift into the cell for stabilization. This is accomplished by increasing the GABA receptors’ excitatory actions. Ativan’s inhibitory activity on two distinct regions of the brain, the amyglada and cerebral cortex, contributes to the amelioration of anxiety and seizure disorders, respectively.
Little knowledge on the function of GABA receptors can give sufficient insight on the Ativan mechanism. GABA receptors in the brain govern sleep and other calming effects. Therefore, it is now simple to predict how the medicine influences the sensation of relaxation by acting on these receptors. When it boosts the effects of GABA, it reduces the activity of the CNS to promote calm.
How long does Ativan last and how long does it take to produce effects?
Ativan is a rapid-acting antianxiety medication with a somewhat lengthy half-life. The half-life of Lorazepam is around 12 hours, which indicates that the drug’s concentration in the body decreases by half every 12 hours. The medicine is mostly metabolized in the liver and excreted via urine. It is expected to remain in the system for up to nine days after its last usage. Additionally, its presence in the hair prolongs its existence in the body.
Is Ativan absolutely devoid of negative effects?
If you believe that this prescription would treat your anxiety without causing any side effects, you have a fundamental misunderstanding of how pharmaceuticals interact with the body. Long-term use of Ativan may cause negative effects, dependency, and even overdose, similar to those of most other drugs.