Purpose
Lorazepam (Ativan) 1/2.5 mg Brand is used to relieve anxiety. Lorazepam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines belong to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which are medicines that slow down the nervous system. It works by slowing activity in the brain to allow for relaxation.
Lorazepam is also used to treat insomnia, epilepsy, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal, and nausea and vomiting from cancer treatments.

Recommended dosage
Lorazepam is taken several times daily by mouth or injected to treat anxiety. Dosage ranges from 1–2 mg taken either every 12 or every eight hours. The maximum daily total dosage for anxiety is 10 mg given in two to three divided doses. For sleep, patients may take from 2–4 mg at bedtime. Doses taken before surgery range from 2.5–5 mg.
Between 0.5 mg and 1 mg of Lorazepam may be taken every six to eight hours to help control treatment-related nausea and vomiting (nausea and vomiting that occur as a side effect of a drug or medical treatment). Two mg of lorazepam is often given half an hour before chemotherapy to help prevent stomach upset. An additional 2 mg may be taken every four hours as needed.
The usual dose to treat seizures is 4 mg given intravenously (through a vein). This dose may be increased to 8 mg in patients who do not respond to the 4-mg dose.

Missed Dose of Lorazepam
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
But if you take several doses per day and miss a dose and it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule.
Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed one.

Effects of Lorazepam
The normal therapeutic effects of Lorazepam include anxiolysis (anxiety reduction), amnesia (memory loss), disinhibition, muscle relaxation, sedation, and sleepiness. Lorazepam reduces tension and anxiety, calms one's state of mind, and encourages sleep. Since Lorazepam use causes tolerance rapidly (within 4 weeks at some doses) and because psychological and physical addiction can occur within a matter of 1-3 months (depending on dosage), courses of treatment are limited to two weeks if possible.

Precautions
Lorazepam, like other drugs of this type, can cause physical and psychological dependence. Patients should not increase the dose or frequency of this drug on their own, nor should they suddenly stop taking this medication. Instead, when stopping the drug, the dosage should gradually be decreased, then discontinued. If the drug is stopped abruptly, the patient may experience agitation, irritability, difficulty sleeping, convulsions, and other withdrawal symptoms.
Patients allergic to benzodiazepines should not take Lorazepam. Those with narrow-angle glaucoma, pre-existing depression of the central nervous system, severe uncontrolled pain, or severe low blood pressure should not take lorazepam. This drug should be used with caution in patients with a history of drug abuse. Children under age 12 should not take lorazepam. Children between the ages of 12 and 18 may take the drug by mouth, but not intravenously. Pregnant women and those trying to become pregnant should not take lorazepam. This drug has been associated with damage to the developing fetus when taken during the first three months of pregnancy. Patients taking this drug should not breast-feed.