HBO’s hit show White lotus Back, the release has provided several memorable viewing moments, from robbers to boogie boat rides and toxic snakes. But beyond the cast and storyline, there are scene steelers, anti-anxiety drugs and Lorazepam.
The drug plays its own character on the show. The weird southern mom Victoria Ratliff, played by actor Parker Posey, doesn’t seem to even be dinner. She is free to offer her husband Timothy some.
At some point in the show, Posey also makes a memorable quote.
If the show is interested in the drug you are not alone. In fact, Google’s trends have been revealed as drug searches are surged. So, what is this drug actually and what is the correct way to use it?
What is Lorazepam?
Sold under the Ativan brand name, Lorazepam belongs to a class of drugs called Benzodiazepines, which works to calm the central nervous system by slowing down brain activity. Other famous benzodiazepines on the market are barium, Xanax and chronopin.
As Dr. David Merrill, a board-certified psychiatrist at Providence St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. Women’s Health Magazine“Lorazepam is a sedative of the nervous system. It removes edges or reduces the level of attention.”
Lorazepam works by increasing the amount of calming chemicals in the brain called gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). Low levels of GABA can lead to overactive brain circuits that contribute to anxiety.
So, what is Lorazepam used for?
As Victoria White lotus Lorazepam is primarily used to treat anxiety. However, it can also be useful for those who are struggling to treat or prevent insomnia, agitation, or seizures.
Ryan Marino, Maryland, assistant professor at the School of Emergency and Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine self“Lorazepam is most commonly used in very short-term situations for treatment of anxiety, panic attacks, alcohol withdrawal and more.”
Sue Balma, a well-known fellow of the American Psychiatry Association, has a similar view. I’ll talk cosmopolitanShe said, “Accessibility and effectiveness in an acute environment is a must-have for healthcare providers looking to reduce immediate distress. This is often the most commonly used for short-term treatment while patients work on long-term strategies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and lifestyle changes.
However, it should be noted that even all medical professionals and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should only be prescribed for a period of 2-4 weeks.
“You shouldn’t be consistent and hard for the rest of your life,” says Thea Gallagher, clinical associate professor at Nyu Langone Health. self“It is supposed to be used in situations when it is particularly unsettled and activated as a ‘bridge’ drug that helps to manage it. ”
Is there a risk of taking lorazepam?
There are certain physical side effects to taking lorazepam. As doctors point out, some people complain of dizziness, confusion, memory problems, and taking medication slows their breathing. Additionally, the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) says Lorazepam can cause amnesia, vivid or disturbing dreams, irritability, or hostility.
But in addition to physical side effects, Lorazepam is extremely addictive, contrary to what Victoria claims White lotus When she gives her husband Lorazepam and says, “Take this, they’re not addicted, I’ll take it when I need it.”
Medical research has shown that this anti-anxiety drug is very habit-forming. Chelsea Rollshave, a neuroscientist and sleep expert at Wesper in New York Fox News According to the report, “This class of drugs is very habit-forming. This means that patients taking it are dependent and may experience withdrawal symptoms after being discontinued.”
Dr. Joseph Squirer, PhD of Northwell Zucker Hillside Hospital in Queens, New York, has also published similar cautions on the use of Lorazepam. “If you suddenly stop taking it, you can actually be very dangerous and develop withdrawal from medication that can lead to high blood pressure and seizures. It’s a life-threatening situation. Many people don’t realize that if you take it regularly for a very long time, you can’t stop it,” he said. people magazine.
This is why the US FDA released a new warning label for its benzodiazepine box in 2020. This addresses the high risks of abuse, addiction, physical dependence and withdrawal reactions associated with drug use.
Medical research also shows that lorazepam can affect individual moods and even increase patients’ risk of depression. But that’s not all. Research also revealed that long-term use of benzodiazepines such as lorazepam is associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia.
Can I consume alcohol with Lorazepam?
in White lotusVictoria often downs Lorazepam with alcohol. In fact, she consumes a wealth of alcohol while taking drugs. This is the expert, note, a big red flag in the medical world, indicating abuse.
As Dr. Gale Salz, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Weil Cornell Medical Center in New York Presbyterian, CNN “Alcohol interacts with benzodiazepines in particular. Both affect the GABA system. Both can cause respiratory depression and death, which means you stop breathing and die. But it’s what’s called together.
Who should not take lorazepam?
According to doctors, there are certain individuals who should avoid lorazepam. These include pregnant or breastfeeding women, elderly patients who are sensitive to sedation, and individuals with specific medical conditions that may respond to medication (such as severe liver disease or acute narrow angle glaucoma).
Also, those with a history of substance abuse should not prescribe Lorazepam. Because it is very addictive, individuals who have struggled with alcohol, prescription medications or other substances should generally avoid anti-anxiety medications.
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