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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Nonsing on October 29, 2016, at 10:50:27
Does Ativan have any withdrawal effects if it's being used for a long period of time?
Posted by rjlockhart37 on October 29, 2016, at 11:53:55
In reply to About Ativan, posted by Nonsing on October 29, 2016, at 10:50:27
yes, it relieves anxiety fast, because it work on GABA nuerotransmitters, but after taken over a period of time the body adjusts to its effects, and when it's removed it causes withdrawl, such as anxiety, and irrtibility
some people just take ativan PRN when they need it, not on a daily basis, that doenst really seem to have much of a withdrawl effects, its mainly when its given daily at moderate to large doses
Posted by Christ_empowered on October 29, 2016, at 13:45:53
In reply to Re: About Ativan, posted by rjlockhart37 on October 29, 2016, at 11:53:55
Ativan does have withdrawal effects if its discontinued after long term use. The longer the use, the higher the daily dose, the more difficult the taper (and these sorts of meds --need-- to be tapered, not abruptly discontinued).
One approach is to prescribe an equivalent dose of Valium and taper off that. That often reduces discomfort during the taper.
Posted by baseball55 on October 29, 2016, at 19:06:52
In reply to Re: About Ativan, posted by Christ_empowered on October 29, 2016, at 13:45:53
Depending on the dose, frequency and how long you've taken it, discontinuing a benzo suddenly can, like discontinuing alcohol, cause seizures.
Posted by Hugh on October 30, 2016, at 21:19:40
In reply to About Ativan, posted by Nonsing on October 29, 2016, at 10:50:27
Ativan should not be stopped suddenly. The dosage should be tapered gradually for a period of weeks or months. Most people can taper it without significant withdrawal symptoms, but a large number of people can't. I belong to the latter group. I took Ativan for insomnia for three years, and then I started to suffer from tolerance, dependence, and inter-dose withdrawal. It took me four hellish months to taper off of it. I did a crossover to Valium halfway through my taper. The Ashton Manual has lots of good advice on tapering benzos.
Posted by Lamdage22 on November 1, 2016, at 15:07:50
In reply to Re: About Ativan, posted by Hugh on October 30, 2016, at 21:19:40
I seem to have withdrawal symptoms after just one 1mg dose. About two days later i am anxious and crave more.
Posted by rjlockhart37 on November 1, 2016, at 16:33:45
In reply to Re: About Ativan, posted by Lamdage22 on November 1, 2016, at 15:07:50
some cases, my doctor told me i would have withdrawl if she gave me one dose of ativan, this is how i view it....it's like having a drink, 1 margerita, chill for couple hours then wears off.....lorazpeam doesnt really have signifant euphoria, it just provides sedation and relaxation......i was on 6mg of lorazpeam in 2005 for 3 months and transferred back to klonopin, but i noticed if i missed a couple doses by body would have a anxiety reaction, even like a siezure feeling, because the body adjusts to being on ativan and when it's removed, it causes reactions.....
This is the end of the thread.
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