Does Lorazepam Cause Weight Gain?

People who are suffering from anxiety disorder will require a medication to help them to feel better. Lorazepam has proved helpful to many people and is largely prescribed by doctors. It is a sedative that has a positive benefit for those people who are experiencing anxiety conditions.

Lorazepam belongs to group of drugs called benzodiazepines. This drug has a number of side-effects. The list of side-effects caused by taking this drug can be quite debilitating but still people go for this drug because they are helpful to people with anxiety disorder.

The most common side-effects that have been noticed in a person consuming Lorazepam are unsteadiness or clumsiness, lightheadedness or dizziness, slurred speech and drowsiness. In exceptional cases, you may also experience stomach or abdominal cramps, changes in your sex drive, blurred vision, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, fatigue, nausea, muscle spasms, vomiting and difficulty urinating.

Patients are advised not to drive or operate heavy machinery or engage in dangerous activities particularly while at work when on Lorazepam. Drinking is also prohibited when you are taking this drug. Consuming Lorezapam with other medications may lead to other side effects hence it is advisable to consult your family physician before doing so.

One thing which is not stated in the side-effects of Lorazepam is the possibility of weight gain. The reason behind gaining weight while taking this drug is that you feel hungry while you are taking it and when you feel the hunger you are likely to eat and intake more calories than you would have usually consumed. But Lorazepam is not the only drug which is responsible for causing weight gain for those experiencing an anxiety disorders.

Similar other drugs which are better known as SSRIs also have the same effects. Examples of these drugs include Lexapro, Celexa, Paxil, Prozac, Seroril and Zoloft.

The only successful way to control your weight gain is to stop taking this drug completely. This is not so easy because they are habit forming medication and patient may find it difficult to stop taking this drug. Some people become so dependent on it that they use this medication even when it is not required while others who find difficulty in sleeping, nervousness and irritability will increase the dosage of the drug thinking that it will make them feel better.

The ideal dosage prescribed for Lorazepam is between 0.5-2.0 mg 2-4 times a day.

It is possible that sometimes you may also experience confusion, prickly or burning sensations, loss of sense of reality, increased sense of hearing, improved sensitivity to touch and pain, mental depression, profuse sweating, muscle cramps, vomiting, rapid heartbeat and sensitivity to light.

As Lorazepam is addictive, this is given only for a short period of time and once there is improvement in your condition, the dosage is monitored so as to avoid withdrawal symptoms. If you are experiencing a severe anxiety disorder you may be required to take the drug for a longer period of time.

The doctor may also reduce the dosage prescribed, if you are experiencing severe side-effects. This drug can be taken only when you do not find any alternative remedies for anxiety disorder. It should be the last resort that you should turn to for your anxiety disorder problem.

Initially, Lorazepam and other drugs were thought to help patients to lose weight rather than gain but unfortunately, the long term effects invalidate it as people gain weight by taking this drug. The only way you can successfully lose your weight while taking this drug is through carefully watching your diet and getting plenty of exercise.