What Is Lorazepam, the Drug That Retains Coming Up on ‘The White Lotus’?

There’s a brand new crew of characters in HBO’s hit sequence The White Lotus, however persons are already obsessing over one particularly: Victoria Ratliff. On the present, we see the rich and frequently anxious Victoria, performed by actor Parker Posey, present as much as the resort with an enormous tablet container of lorazepam, a drugs she name-checks and pops like sweet all through the present.

Victoria makes use of lorazepam to assist her sleep and even takes the remedy earlier than having what needs to be a soothing therapeutic massage. However Victoria may also be seen mixing the prescription drug with wine at dinner, inflicting her to closely slur her speech—and even go to sleep on the desk—elevating loads of questions on what lorazepam is, what it’s meant for, and learn how to take it safely.

In case you suspect that lorazepam isn’t designed for use this fashion, you’re on to one thing, Thea Gallagher, PsyD, scientific affiliate professor at NYU Langone Well being and cohost of the Thoughts in View podcast, tells SELF. “Victoria will not be utilizing this remedy the best way a prescriber would need you to make use of it,” Dr. Gallagher says. So what truly is that this drug and what’s the fitting approach to make use of it? We requested medical doctors to elucidate.

What’s lorazepam?

Lorazepam, often higher recognized for its model title, Ativan, is a prescription remedy that’s used to deal with anxiousness problems. It’s in a category of medicines referred to as benzodiazepines, which act as sedatives and hypnotics, in keeping with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Fellow medicines inside this group embrace Valium, Xanax, and Klonopin.

Lorazepam interacts with an space within the mind referred to as the GABAA channel, which slows exercise within the mind and helps individuals chill out, Jamie Alan, PhD, an affiliate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State College, tells SELF. “This exercise may end up in muscle rest, sedation, and a lower in seizure exercise,” she says. “It may well additionally promote sleep.”

Not like medicines like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, that are used long-term to deal with anxiousness problems and melancholy, lorazepam is designed to be taken on-demand and goes to work inside a couple of minutes.

Okay, so what’s lorazepam used for?

Victoria’s habits means that lorazepam can be utilized for absolutely anything, however medical doctors say it has a particular goal. “Lorazepam is mostly utilized in very short-term conditions for remedy of issues like anxiousness, panic assaults, and alcohol withdrawal,” Ryan Marino, MD, an assistant professor within the departments of emergency drugs and psychiatry at Case Western Reserve College College of Drugs, tells SELF. It may also be used to deal with insomnia that’s associated to anxiousness or momentary stressors.

However short-term is the important thing half right here, with the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) recommending that lorazepam solely be prescribed for durations of two to 4 weeks.

“It’s not one thing that you ought to be constantly on, for all times,” Dr. Gallagher says. She lists doable eventualities for utilizing this drug, like serving to somebody with extreme flying anxiousness get on a aircraft, or an individual with a dental phobia really feel comfy sufficient to undergo a enamel cleansing. “It’s supposed for use for conditions if you’re feeling particularly anxious and activated as a ‘bridge’ remedy that will help you handle that,” she says. As soon as that acute, anxiety-provoking state of affairs ends, so ought to your use of the drug.

What are lorazepam’s unintended effects?

Lorazepam may be actually useful in sure eventualities, nevertheless it’s meant for use short-term as a result of it does include the chance of a handful of unintended effects. Everybody reacts to lorazepam barely otherwise in keeping with Dr. Marino. Whereas increased doses are likely to have extra of an influence, even low doses may cause a variety of results, from serving to individuals really feel relaxed to creating them belligerent, he says.