Health - Benzos (specifically ativan/lorazepam) and the immune system

[staples]

It so happens that I've caught some nasty sickness, I'm not sure what it is. I would like to get better ASAP but find my anxiety rising as I'm falling behind in some work.

Consequently, I find myself needing to take ativan (lorazepam, to which I am prescribed), though I'm hesitating right now because I'd rather not take it if it will suppress my immune system and make it take longer to get well again.

My thoughts are: anxiety itself suppresses the immune system, doesn't it? But shouldn't ativan as well, since it is a CNS depressant? I don't know the specifics about why a CNS depressant would, but I've heard many times that this is why people get sick easily when they drink alcohol often?

I haven't, or cannot remember if I've talked to my doctor about which medications and how much is safe to take in the event that I get sick, so I'd really appreciate some insight here.

Thanks,
Staples

[Solinari]

My first guess would be no it probably won't suppress the immune system but i decided to take a quick look on Google and apparently there are some effects (in rodents), but it wasn't specific and it's very technical....

24 h after administration of a single dose of the benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonists N'-methyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxamide (FG 7142) and 3-carbomethoxy-4-ethyl-6,7-dimethoxy-beta-carboline (DMCM), a profound suppression of the immune response was observed in rodents. This immunosuppression was manifest as a decrease in phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin-A (Con-A) stimulated T cell proliferation in rats and mice administered FG 7142 and a decrease in allogeneic cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity in mice administered either FG 7142 or DMCM. The effects of FG 7142 were antagonized by the prior administration of Ro 15-1788, a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist. These findings demonstrate that the neural pathways subserved by benzodiazepine receptors can modulate immune function, and suggest that these receptors may be involved in the stress-induced modulation of immune function.

I think it might be suggesting that stress can cause suppression of the immune system, but as you can see it's rather technical and barely understandable.

Never the less i doubt it would cause significant problems and i would definitely be inclined to take the prescribed dose. Actually, i would read the leaflet (or look it up online) and see if it says anything about the immune response, if it doesn't then it probably isn't significant enough to be included in the warnings/side effects.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Good info, helpful response

[staples]

Wow, thanks for the info. I tried searching google beforehand but couldn't come up with much.

Some of that technical information is lost on me as well, but I'm curious about the "24 hours after administration" thing... they mean the immune system was unaffected until well after the theraputic effects would be the strongest?

My thoughts as I'm typing this, is perhaps they're saying that the immune system became suppressed as the benzo wore off, and thus stress levels rebounded?

Anyway, thanks again, I don't see any information on the informational sheet about immune system.

[Solinari]

I don't really know what it's saying either, and it is about rats and mice, but i think they are trying to say that stress can have an affect on the immune system rather than the benzodiazepines themselves, but i could be completely wrong.

I don't think central nervous system depression would cause the immune system to stop functioning properly, especially if it is a therapeutic dose (as opposed to a recreational dose which is usually much higher). So i wouldn't worry about it, and i didn't think there would be anything about the immune system in side effects/warnings. If you have been prescribed it but you still have some concerns then either contact a pharmacist or your/a doctor, just ask them if they think taking the ativan could slow your recovery, you don't have to go in to detail about the immune system or anything.

My guess is it will be fine, and if anything, i imagine the stress/anxiety would have more of an effect than the drug itself, even so i doubt it would be significant either way.