Suggest Ways To Wean Off Ativan

Posted on Sat, 27 Dec 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 27 Dec 2014 Answered on

Fri, 23 Jan 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been off and on ativan for 15 years not taking more than 20 mg a year. Should i taper off the drug or stop cold turkey. I took 3 mg over the last 3 days. None yesterday. Prior to the last few days i was taking ativan once every two weeks or so. I want to get off of them for good.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You can stop cold turkey if no withdrawal

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

I appreciate your decision to stop ativan(lorazepam).

You have been taking lorazepam on and off since 15 yeas. It is a drug from benzodiazepine group. It can cause physical dependence if taken continuously for more than 8 weeks.

You are taking 20 mg a year.You were taking ativan once every two weeks or so. It is too low dose and it can not cause physical dependence. From your history it seems that you do not have any withdrawal symptom.

In recent days intake is increased - 1 mg per day. You have not taken yesterday and no problem is there.So you can stop cold turkey if no withdrawal symptom in next 24-48 hours(which is not likely in your case and there will be no need to restart and taper off).

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T