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.

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.

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

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]

Dose-dependent central nervous system depression, increased sedation, and unsteadiness were associated with increased age.^[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]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• How long does it take for Ativan to work?
• Ativan vs Xanax - What is the difference?
• Lorazepam vs Xanax: What is the difference?

Further information

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.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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