Taking Ativan. Can This Be Harmful?

Posted on Fri, 19 Apr 2013

Question: What would be the implications of taking 50 mgs of ativan can it be lethal

Answered by Dr. Payman Hajiazim (24 minutes later)

Hi there, thanks for asking. That would be definitely XXXXXXX It should be kept away from reaching the hand of children and anybody who may take the medication more than needed dose. It can lead to suppression of respiratory center and would be more XXXXXXX in people who take it with some other medications. The person who take this more than required dose should be taken to the hospital fast. Flumazenil is a medication which is given at the hospital to the people who have taken such huge amount of this medication to counter its effects. Let me know how this question has come to your mind, if possible. Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Payman Hajiazim (1 hour later)

Someone I know takes chances with drugs but I was under the impression that pills of this kind are not fatal in overdose please let me know if I'm right

Answered by Dr. Payman Hajiazim (3 hours later)

They could be fatal if somebody has chronic lung disease or if somebody takes it with alcohol drinking. Or if somebody takes it with some medications which suppress the respiratory center. And theoretically it is XXXXXXX even without them. So it is good to be cautious about.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Payman Hajiazim (32 minutes later)

Can someone die from this dose and if so would it be painful

Answered by Dr. Payman Hajiazim (6 minutes later)

Hi, that could be fatal. That can be quite painful, since it is not predictable what happens and in the cases who survive, many will have permanent brain deficits. I hope this answer address your question.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar