Ativan (Lorazepam) was first invented in 1977, and they marketed the drug under the name Ativan and Temesta. It was developed by DJ Richards, and the drug falls under the category of being a benzodiazepine. You commonly see doctors prescribe it as an anxiolytic and a sedative.
Originally, they created the drug for anxiety, but they now use it to treat other conditions, such as insomnia, vertigo, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal.
Through enhancing the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA, Ativan works to restore the chemical balance in the brain. The drug slows down the central nervous system to reduce your anxiety and physical tension.
Ativan’s effects don’t last long, which can make people like they need more of it. An estimated 19.1% of US adults suffer from anxiety, according to interview data from National Comorbidity Study Replication.
Follow the instructions from your doctor when you use Ativan since that ensures the safest usage of the drug. Ativan should always be prescribed at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest period of time.
Those who have taken Ativan over the long term should avoid suddenly stopping because it can lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms and may even prove life threatening.
How much someone receives for a daily dosage will depend on their doctor (follow your doctor’s orders), but generally speaking, people receive a daily dosage of 2 to 3 mg. The dosage is highly individualized to the person and what works for them.
Doctors advise everyone against exceeding 6 mg daily. Most of the time, doctors will start you out with a minor dosage and gradually increase or decrease it at 0.5 mg at a time.
Both Ativan and Xanax work well when treating the emotional and physical symptoms of anxiety. They also work when treating panic disorder. Due to the risk of addiction, most doctors wouldn’t recommend them as a first choice.
Ativan is known to work within 15 to 30 minutes of taking it to treat anxiety disorder, and Ativan may last slightly longer than Xanax. Which one is more effective will depend on the type of anxiety that you have.
As it is with most other drugs, you can encounter side effects with this drug.
Some of the most common side effects to be aware of include:
Most of the time, these side effects will go away, but if they seem long lasting, you should tell a doctor.
Along with the more common side effects, you can encounter some more serious side effects that require immediate medical attention:
In some cases, Ativan can impact the mind through an adverse reaction, such as:
Ativan has the potential to have a powerful effect on the brain and nerves, but in some cases, it can lead to unintended consequences. When it works well, it soothes the emotional effect on the brain, but it has the potential to blunt your experiences to the world.
It is usually only recommended that you take Ativan for a maximum of 30 days to prevent addiction. You should still gradually reduce your dose to avoid sudden withdrawal, which can be life threatening. Abuse and misuse of this drug can lead to overdose and death.
Beware of combining this drug with others since it falls under the class of benzodiazepine. It can be dangerous to mix this drug with alcohol, cannabis, opioids, codeine, hydrocodone, or illicit drugs.
Some of the most common things that can happen if mixing this drug with other drugs is drowsiness and breathing problems.
In some cases, withdrawal symptoms from Ativan can last for weeks or even months, making it hard to get away from. Pregnant mothers and mothers who are breastfeeding should also beware of using this drug.
You should tell your doctor if you have an allergy to benzodiazepines, but you should also tell them about other allergies to drugs. Before you start taking Ativan, tell your doctor about your medical history with some of the important things to mention being:
This drug may make you dizzy or blur your vision. Older people suffer more from the side effects with the most common being loss of coordination and drowsiness.
Prolonged use of Ativan is usually not recommended because it leads to dependence and addiction in many cases. You also have to be careful how you quit this drug, and you cannot stop taking it suddenly due to the fatal risks involved.
Speak with your doctor ahead of time to see if Ativan is the right choice for you.
In some cases, doctors will prescribe this drug for insomnia due to anxiety and stress. Ativan is sometimes prescribed for other off-label types of insomnia, but the American Academy of Sleep Medicine doesn’t recommend it as a first choice due to potential side effects and dangers of using it long term.
