the use of ativan

Since I have been diagnosed as having primary bilirary cirrhosis of the liver and waiting for results to see if I qualify
for  liver transplant I have also had a problem with anxiety.  Can I tale ativan or is it another drung that I should avoid?

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

as long as the liver function is not too depressed sedative hypnotics can be OK.  in the setting of appreciable liver dysfunction they are contraindicated as they can lead to protracted encephalopathy.  try benadryl first or the natural products melatonin or tryptophan