This active ingredient is in Tavor
The active ingredient in Tavor is lorazepam, which belongs to group 2 of benzodiazepines. This group includes benzodiazepines that are described as having a medium duration of action, with an average half-life of one day. The half-life indicates how long it takes for half of an ingested drug to be excreted from the body. Tavor half-life is reported to range from about 10 to 20 hours.
When is Tavor used?
The effect of Tavor is based on binding to the docking sites of a specific nerve messenger (GABA-A receptor) in the brain. This reduces the excitability of the cells at the end of a reaction cascade. This leads to an anxiety-relieving, sedative, sleep-promoting, muscle-relaxing and anesthetic (narcotic) effect. Since the drug has no analgesic effect, it must not be used as a sole anesthetic (monoanesthetic), but only in combination with other anesthetics.
Furthermore, the Tavor active ingredient lorazepam is used to treat withdrawal symptoms.
- severe anxiety and panic
- sleep disorders
- acute states of confusion
- epilepsy
- alcohol withdrawal
- repeated attacks of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapeutic agents in cancer therapy
- for calming and anxiety relief before surgery and in intensive care medicine
What are the side effects of Tavor?
Like most medicines, Tavor can cause side effects. They are due to the reduced excitability of the cells in the brain. A distinction is made between side effects that are frequently observed and those that occur rarely to sporadically.
Common side effects include decreased responsiveness, severe fatigue, and drowsiness. Furthermore, there is a strong development of tolerance, which is why the drug should only be used for a short time.
Rarely, loss of libido, muscle weakness, a drop in blood pressure, dry mouth and skin reactions are observed as side effects with Tavor.
Sporadic episodes of confusion, difficulty concentrating, aggressiveness, depression to the point of suicidal ideation, muscle cramps, sensitivity to light and visual disturbances, changes in blood formation, and elevated liver enzymes occur.
You should be aware of the following when using Tavor
The drug is approved for short-term treatment of a maximum of four weeks, because physical dependence can develop after only a short period of use. For long-term treatment, other medications are more suitable.
It is important that the drug is prescribed and taken in close consultation with the attending physician. Especially at the beginning of a therapy, the effective dose in the body must be strictly controlled, since a Tavor overdose and thus increased side effects can quickly occur. The dose must be adjusted precisely and individually to the patient (age, weight, concomitant diseases, other medications taken, physical and mental condition).
Discontinuation of the therapy should also not be done arbitrarily, but only in consultation with the treating physician. Due to the rapid development of physical dependence, Tavor symptoms such as tremors, rapid heartbeat, sweating, and even life-threatening seizures may occur if Tavor is discontinued.
Tavor: contraindications
- severe liver and kidney dysfunction
- heart failure (cardiac insufficiency)
- low blood pressure (hypotension)
Very careful consideration must be given to use in the following cases:
- severe muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis)
- disturbance of movement coordination (ataxia)
- acute intoxication with alcohol, medications or drugs
- respiratory dysfunction such as sleep apnea syndrome
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
In such cases, the risk for the occurrence of the described side effects is increased.
Tavor for fear of flying
The question often arises as to whether Tavor is an appropriate medication for fear of flying. Fear of flying is treatable, but with less aggressive medications that are prone to side effects. For example, herbal medications or travel medications are suitable alternatives for calming down before or during a flight.
Tavor and depression
If depression is already present, it is important that the patient also receives antidepressant therapy. Otherwise, the depressive symptoms may worsen.
Tavor in children and the elderly
Tavor in pregnancy and breastfeeding
The drug should not be used during pregnancy. Especially when Tavor is taken towards the end of pregnancy or during delivery, the newborn may experience decreased muscle tone and activity, drop in body temperature and blood pressure, shallow breathing and weakness in drinking.
The active ingredient in Tavor can pass into breast milk, so it is not recommended for use during the breastfeeding phase. If it is absolutely necessary to take the drug, monitoring of the child by the attending physician is recommended.
Tavor and alcohol
The simultaneous use of Tavor and alcohol or other drugs is not recommended, as the reduced reaction capacity will otherwise be further impaired.
Tavor and driving
Driving should also be avoided during treatment. The same applies to operating machinery.
Tavor and overdose
In case of Tavor overdose, the attending physician should be notified as soon as possible. He or she can initiate countermeasures and monitor further therapy.
How to get Tavor
The Tavor dosage is determined individually by the doctor. The maximum daily doses vary between values of 0.2 to 8 milligrams.
Most often, Tavor is taken in the form of tablets or melting tablets (Tavor Expidet). An alternative to Tavor tablets is the injection solution.
Interesting facts about Tavor
The active ingredient in Tavor was discovered in 1971. Today, the drug is one of the most commonly prescribed psychotropic drugs in Germany.
Complete information about this drug
Here you can find the complete information about the drug as a download (PDF)
