Published on 21 July 2023

Ativan For Nausea: Does It Works For Nausea?

Lorazepam (ativan) Ativan-For-Nausea
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Many people commonly suffer from Nausea. If an individual suffers daily, getting proper help from a doctor can be a concern. The common reason for Nausea and vomiting is gastrointestinal issues or food poisoning. But some also suffer from it due to medicine consumption. 

When you suffer from Nausea, you'll feel the urge to vomit. It's not every time you will vomit, but sometimes. If Nausea is prolonged for months, it can be stated as a severe condition. Some people can also face it at intervals (a partial come-and-go system). When it is mild, you should get it treated; if it's constant, it can be difficult to cure quickly.

You can treat the condition with various options of drugs. Ativan is one of the most discussed drugs that can help people with Nausea. Know more about the drug's effectiveness on Nausea and curable accuracy. 

What Is Ativan?

The first condition is that the FDA has authorized Ativan as a treatment for anxiety. Millions of people are prescribed Ativan due to its effectiveness on the condition. Apart from this condition, it is also used by people with insomnia because of anxiety and stress. Ativan is a controlled medication in the USA. So you need to have a legal prescription to buy Ativan.

As an off-label use, it helps people suffering from Nausea and alcohol withdrawal. You can get the drug in its generic form Lorazepam. Ativan is allowed to consume by people who are older than 12 years. If the person is younger, it can cause severe effects.

How Does Ativan Work?

Ativan works like other benzodiazepine. As Ativan belongs to the drug class of Benzodiazepine, it works by enhancing the brain's neurotransmitter (GABA receptors) activity, which changes mood and sleep patterns.

You will see the changes in calmness and relaxation in your brain, reducing agitation and overexcitement. This eventually connects with Nausea and vomiting, and work on them. Following the doctor's guidance is necessary for effective results in your body.

Does Ativan Help With Nausea?

One of the reasons a person suffers from Nausea is due to Chemotherapy; it is one of its side effects. Even though there are many other treatments, Ativan is advised for people suffering from Nausea before or after Chemotherapy as per requirement.

Ativan is advised as an off-label drug to cope with this condition. Ativan is not preferred as an anti-nausea drug but as an anti-nausea regimen with other drugs.

Reviews: Ativan For Nausea

Reviews play an important role in choosing a drug for the condition. When the condition is severe, you should look for the reviews compulsorily. The reviews on drugs.com show that, on average, out of 10, an 8.4 rating has been given by the people. Thirty-four reviews have been registered, of which 79% have reported positive results and 9% have reported negative feedback. 

Possible Side Effects

An individual who is consuming Ativan can face any of the side effects. If it is considered a common side effect, it can be cured easily, but if it can severely affect a person, you should take this as an emergency and contact your general practitioner.

Common Side Effects

Severe Side Effects

Dry mouth,

Irregular heartbeat,

Tiredness,

Severe skin rash,

Dizziness,

Inability to sit still,

Weakness,

Fever,

Lowers blood pressure,

Severe headache

Drowsiness

Yellowing of skin or eyes,

Above mentioned are considered the potentially known side effects. If you are suffering from other effects on your body, you should get a doctor's help.

Ativan Dosage For Nausea

Dosage plays an important role in curing any of the conditions. When you have been advised to take the medicine the doctor recommends, you should take it exactly as prescribed. Low or overdosage cannot show results as it should; instead, there are high chances of side effects.

Before Chemotherapy

  • You should take 0.5mg or 1mg of Ativan one to two hours before on the day of treatment or the night before chemotherapy.

After Chemotherapy

  • You should take 0.5mg to 1mg of Ativan after every eight hours. The doctor will solely decide the dosage consumption.

Above mentioned are the general dosage that is prescribed to an individual. Dosage according to your health condition will be decided only after the diagnosis. To be on the safer side, consult your doctor.

What If Ativan Does Not Work For Nausea?

Ativan may not work on everyone even if you follow the given guideline by your doctor, as it is not an FDA-approved drug for Nausea. Inform your doctor about the condition. Either you will be suggested to change the drug, or any combination to the drug Ativan can be added. You might solely suggest taking a medicine that works on Nausea.

Warnings And Precautions

It is mandatory to look over warnings and precautions for your well-being. This will help you from unnecessary effects on your health. While you consult for diagnosis, you should inform all the medical history with your doctor. 
Inform your doctor about the following:

  • Addiction or misuse: Ativan can be addictive, and if you have a history of addiction or abuse, it can be dangerous to your health.
  • Medical conditions: Do not take medicine if you suffer or suffer from conditions such as liver or kidney issues, breathing difficulty, suicidal thoughts or depression, or addiction to drugs.
  • Taking Other Medicines
  • Do not drive or use heavy machinery.
  • If you are addicted or drink alcohol while on Ativan.

Drug Interactions

Drug Interactions are common if you take two medicine that interact with each other. When prescribed, make sure that Ativan does not interact with the medicine you already take. If so, either change the other medicine or Ativan. The decision will be dependent on the doctor you have consulted.

  • Tramadol
  • Oxycodone
  • Lisinopril
  • Lexapro
  • Xanax
  • Zoloft
  • Ambien
  • Gabapentin
  • Flexeril

These medicines have a high potential for drug interactions and also make you suffer from side effects if you combine them with Ativan.

Also, Read

Bottom Line From Practical Anxiety Solutions

Ativan is an effective drug for treating Nausea. It is not an approved drug by the FDA for treating this condition, but still, Ativan is prescribed because of its properties. The medicine's working makes the body calm and relaxed t which Nausea can be cured. 

Ativan also has the potential for side effects that need to be taken care of by following the abovementioned precautionary measures. Before consuming the drug, keep reading the leaflet for various information. Do not hurry to consume the drug, as it can be addictive. You should also consume Ativan for a short period of time and not prolong it to a very long term.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, it helps in various conditions such as constipation, Gastrointestinal issues, heartburn, aerophagia, etc.
For the best working of the medicine, it is advised to take Ativan before going to bed. This will help you from getting calming effects on your body.
Approximately it takes 20 to 30 minutes to start working on the condition. It may differ according to the person.