Lorazepam - Ativan
Indications
Lorazepam is a rapidly acting anti-anxiety medication that is used to manage anxiety and phobias in dogs. It can also be used to manage short term stressful situations such as being confined after surgery, visiting the vet, or fireworks/storms.
How to use
Any behaviour medication works best when used alongside a behaviour modification plan - that is practical management and teaching your pet different coping mechanisms. Lorazepam can be given approximately 30-60 minutes before particularly stressful events. The effects may last for several hours but will depend on your individual pet and situation.
What is it?
Lorazepam is a drug from a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain. This has an effect on reducing anxiety, and relaxing the body. It can also cause a mild ‘amnesic’ effect, meaning the animal doesn’t remember the frightening event as clearly. The downside of this is that pets may not be able to learn from their past experience if they don’t remember.
Side effects
Used alone, lorazepam is a safe drug and is likely to only cause some mild sedation. Benzodiazepines can cause sedation, increased appetite, and some wobbliness. Cats may exhibit changes in behaviour (irritability, increased affection, depression, aberrant demeanor) after receiving benzodiazepines.
Some dogs may become excited after taking this medication.
If any of the above signs occur, please contact your veterinarian immediately.
Drug interactions
Some medications such as other behavioural medications, or medical conditions such as liver disease may interact with lorazepam. Speak to your vet if your vet is taking other medications.
Where to get it
As a human medication, lorazepam is available from a human pharmacy with a script. However, this medication is tightly regulated and needs to be prescribed carefully. In many cases, it is preferable to be dispensed directly from a vet clinic.
Off label use
In Australia, we only have only one medication registered for treating behaviour problems. This means many of the medications we use are considered ‘off label’. These medications still have excellent evidence for their use, and lots of data about their effects and side effects, however it is essential that you feel well informed about their off label use. Please read all the information thoroughly to ensure you feel well informed about the risks and benefits of using this medication.