Ativan (lorazepam) is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety or anxiety associated with depressive symptoms.

Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic.The effectiveness of Ativan (lorazepam) in long-term use, that is, more than 4 months, has not been assessed by systematic clinical studies.

The physician should periodically reassess the usefulness of the drug for the individual patient.

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Symptoms -- An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain.

Ativan (lorazepam) is contraindicated in patients with– hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines or to any components of the formulation.– acute narrow-angle glaucoma.

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Hypersensitivity -- Altered reactivity to an antigen, which can result in pathologic reactions upon subsequent exposure to that particular antigen.

Angle Closure Glaucoma -- A form of glaucoma in which the intraocular pressure increases because the angle of the anterior chamber is blocked and the aqueous humor cannot drain from the anterior chamber.

Pre-existing depression may emerge or worsen during use of benzodiazepines including lorazepam.

Ativan (lorazepam) is not recommended for use in patients with a primary depressive disorder or psychosis.Use of benzodiazepines, including lorazepam, both used alone and in combination with other CNS depressants, may lead to potentially fatal respiratory depression.

(See PRECAUTIONS clinically Significant Drug Interactions) Use of benzodiazepines, including lorazepam, may lead to physical and psychological dependence.As with all patients on CNS- depressant drugs, patients receiving lorazepam should be warned not to operate dangerous machinery or motor vehicles and that their tolerance for alcohol and other CNS depressants will be diminished.