Can Mirtazapine Be Taken In Place Of Ativan For Sleep Problems?

Posted on Wed, 10 Apr 2019

Question: I have been on 2mg of Ativan for sleeping for 20 years. Today my doctor said he will no longer prescribe Ativan for me . He is afraid of the Govt crackdown. He wrote me a script for 15mg of mirtazapine to take at night for sleeping. Will I have problems no longer on Ativan . I am 84 year old women.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Soujanya (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
My suggestion.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Ativan is a benzodiazepine, so usually, it has to be substituted with an equivalent dose of the same group of the drug in its weaning process.

Mirtazapine is an antidepressant known to increase norepinephrine and serotonin and improves your sleep and appetite along with depressive symptoms if you have any.

As per the advice of your treating doctor, there is nothing wrong in trying with Mirtazapine when you are off on Ativan.

If you are experiencing any withdrawal symptoms, you can be started with other benzodiazepines.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Soujanya, Psychiatrist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Soujanya (42 minutes later)

So are you suggesting that I can just quit Ativan "cold turkey" and use mirtazapine ? Are you suggesting I should go off Ativan "cold turkey"?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Soujanya (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

It is advisable to get off from Ativan if you are comfortable with mirtazapine.

Benzodiazepines may have a dependency in the long term, so it is better to switch to a safer drug like mirtazapine.

Hope this clears your concerns.

Regards,
Dr. Soujanya, Psychiatrist

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj