Is It Safe to Take Lorazepam Regularly?
It should be prescribed for short-term use, ideally less than a month.
Some people can also develop benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction, a condition where withdrawal symptoms persist for months or years.
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How Does Lorazepam Work?
Sold under the brand name Ativan, lorazepam belongs to a class of anti-anxiety medication calledbenzodiazepine.
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects ofgamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that slows brain activity.
By increasing GABAs calming effects, lorazepam reduces anxiety, relaxes muscles, and promotes sedation.
Can You Take Lorazepam With Alcohol?
In The White Lotus, Victoria is often seen with a glass of wine at dinner after taking lorazepam.
However, combining lorazepam with alcohol is dangerous.
It can lead to excessive sedation, dangerously slow breathing, blackouts, and overdose.
Both substances depress the central nervous system, Kellogg said.
Because alcohol and benzodiazepines both increase GABA activity, their combined effects can be unpredictable and life-threatening.
Its safest to hold off on alcohol until about 24 hours after taking lorazepam, Witt-Doerring explained.
Are There Safer Alternatives?
Take it 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime rather than right at bedtime.
Taking it with alcohol can be dangerous, leading to excessive sedation and even overdose.
LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury.Lorazepam.
Updated June 22, 2023.
2023;18(6):e0285584.
