If you’re anything like me, you’re glued to your seat each Sunday night watching the newest episode of “The White Lotus.” There’s been a ton of discourse about all the new characters in the show’s third season, but Victoria Ratliff, played by Parker Posey, is garnering much of the attention.
We’ve seen her popping pills left and right, claiming they help her sleep and relax. She even freely offers some to her husband, Timothy, who’s visibly stressed out about being caught in a money laundering scheme.
The small, colorful capsules in question? Lorazepam. We chatted with Jamie Alan, PhD, PharmD, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, to find out exactly what it is – and why you shouldn’t look to Victoria for how to use it.
Experts in This Article
Jamie Alan, PhD, PharmD, is an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University.
What Is Lorazepam, and What Is It Used For?
Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine that is used to treat a variety of health conditions including seizures, panic attacks, and alcohol withdrawal, according to Dr. Alan. FYI: Benzodiazepines are a type of medication that slows down activity in your brain and nervous system, according to the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
To get a prescription for lorazepam, you must talk with your healthcare provider, according to Dr. Alan. “Because this is a controlled substance [a government-regulated drug], your healthcare provider will typically check your state’s controlled substance database before prescribing,” she says.
Because lorazepam carries a risk of addiction (more on that below), it’s a medication healthcare providers typically only prescribe to someone for a limited amount of time, Dr. Alan says. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), lorazepam should only be prescribed for a period of two to four weeks. For instance, if you’re dealing with severe anxiety or alcohol withdrawal, lorazepam can help you manage the worst of it while you undergo professional help to fully treat the condition.
Are There Any Side Effects of Lorazepam?
While the side effects to lorazepam are usually sedation and grogginess, per Dr. Alan, there are a few others to watch out for, according to the National Library of Medicine:
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Appetite changes
- Restlessness
In addition, the DEA states that lorazepam could cause amnesia, vivid or disturbing dreams, irritability, or hostility.
If you have any questions or concerns about taking your prescribed lorazepam, it’s important to share them with your doctor. In addition, before taking lorazepam, tell your doctor if you’re allergic to any of its ingredients, if you’re taking any other medications or supplements, if you have narrow angle glaucoma, if you’ve been diagnosed with any health conditions, if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or if you’re breastfeeding, per the National Library of Medicine.
Can You Drink Alcohol When Taking Lorazepam?
If you’ve been watching “The White Lotus” each week, you’ve probably noticed Ratliff drinking alcohol on lorazepam. That’s a big no-no, according to Dr. Alan. “There’s a dangerous interaction between lorazepam and alcohol,” she says. “They both are active in the same place in the body, and combining both can be fatal.”
It’s worth noting that lorazepam can negatively interact with other substances, according to the National Health Service (NHS). These include certain antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antihistamines, antifungals, and strong painkillers (like codeine, methadone, morphine, and oxycodone).
“There’s always a possibility of drug interaction when combining medications,” Dr. Alan says. “Generally, the most worrisome interactions would be with other medications that are sedating – like opioids, gabapentin, alcohol, or barbiturates. If you’re concerned, please speak to your healthcare provider.”
Is Lorazepam Addictive?
Absolutely, Dr. Alan says. In fact, in 2020, the FDA required a new warning label to be put on benzodiazepine boxes to address the heightened risks of abuse, addiction, physical dependence, and withdrawal reactions that can come with using the drugs.
“Physical dependence can occur when benzodiazepines are taken steadily for several days to weeks, even as prescribed,” the FDA states. “Stopping them abruptly or reducing the dosage too quickly can result in withdrawal reactions, including seizures, which can be life-threatening.”
In other words: If you’re on lorazepam, don’t offer it up to anyone seemingly in need, Dr. Alan says. Not only is doing so dangerous for the reasons above, but it’s also illegal. Your medications are yours and yours alone. Please take them as instructed, and don’t share.
