Lorazepam
Lorazepam, also known as Ativan, is a kind of benzodiazepine medication that is only available at pharmacies with a prescription from your doctor. Lorazepam affects the central nervous system and is primarily used for treatment of anxiety and insomnia.
It is also prescribed to help relax patients before surgical procedures and to help reduce vomiting and nausea that can be caused by chemotherapy medication. Lorazepam can also help reduce back pain and muscle spasms.
How Can Lorazepam Help My Backache?
Because Lorazepam helps to relax the central nervous system, it can be effective for back pain relief. Stress and anxiety caused by other problems in life can increase tension in the muscles in both the upper and lower back, which increases back pain and spasms. Lorazepam can help decrease back pain and muscle spasms by lowering anxiety, which will help relax painful back muscle contractions.
Conversely, muscle spasms that cause back pain can be the reason that stress and anxiety occur. Lorazepam can assist in reducing the muscle spasms that cause back pain, thus reducing anxiety levels. Back pain, muscle spasms and anxiety can also make it difficult to sleep. Because Lorazepam causes drowsiness, it can help with insomnia as well.
How Should I Use Lorazepam for My Back Pain?
Lorazepam is usually prescribed at dosages between .5 mg and 4 mg. It is best to start with the lowest possible dosage necessary to relieve the symptoms of muscle spasms, back pain, and anxiety. The dosage may be adjusted as every person reacts differently to Lorazepam depending on the severity of symptoms.
Lower doses of Lorazepam may be taken every six hours or as prescribed to help with back pain relief and the anxiety that may accompany it. Higher doses may be taken to help with insomnia. Elderly people tend to be more sensitive to Lorazapam and may require lower doses. Also, some elderly people may be weak and frail. Lower doses of the drug can help to minimize the likelihood of accidents and falling due to the drowsy effects that Lorazepam can cause.
Lorazepam does not need to be taken with food. It can be taken at any time. If a dose is skipped or forgotten, the patient should take it as soon as possible. However, two pills should not be taken at the same time.
Also, Lorazepam should not be taken for more than four weeks. If it is taken for more than four weeks, the risks of dependency and addiction are greatly increased. It can also become less effective if taken for a long period of time.
Lorazepam should be taken for extreme pain and anxiety in conjunction with other therapies, including physical therapy, chiropractic treatments and muscle relaxation techniques. As these treatments begin to alleviate back pain and muscle spasms, the drug should no longer be needed. One should not stop taking Lorazepam suddenly. It should be discontinued by gradually decreasing the dosage.
Are There Any Side Effects I Should be Worried About?
The most common side effects of Lorazepam are sleepiness and drowsiness. Loazepam can also cause one to feel weak, dizzy or disoriented. It can also have the effect of diminishing one’s sex drive. These side effects are not permanent and will subside when Lorazepam is discontinued.
Driving or operating machinery is not recommended while taking Lorazepam. Also, it should never be taken with alcohol.
If your back pain and muscle spasms are severe, consult your medical provider. He or she should be able to advise you and prescribe the right pain medication for your situation.