Do not take this medication for longer than 4 months without your doctor's advice.

The elderly metabolise benzodiazepines more slowly than younger people and are more sensitive to the adverse effects of benzodiazepines compared to younger individuals even at similar plasma levels. It may further reduce the patient's ability to protect his or her airway during sleep. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. Lorazepam impairs body balance and standing steadiness and is associated with falls and hip fractures in the elderly. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication. Do not stop using Ativan suddenly without first talking to your doctor. * Acute intoxication – Lorazepam may interact synergistically with the effects of alcohol, narcotics, or other psychoactive substances. Do not stop using Ativan suddenly without first talking to your doctor. This metabolism does not involve hepatic oxidation and, therefore, is relatively unaffected by reduced liver function. The anticonvulsant properties of lorazepam and other benzodiazepines may be, in part or entirely, due to binding to voltage-dependent sodium channels rather than benzodiazepine receptors.