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What Are The Side Effects Of Prolonged Intake Of Ativan?

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Posted on Fri, 15 Apr 2016
Question: How dangerous is Ativan to overall health? I have had insomnia for many years and have taken Ativan for quite some time. It calms my racing thoughts and helps me sleep. My doctor wants to take me off the med due to it wrecking my health.
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Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (43 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
CNS problems mostly...

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

ativan is not usually supposed to wreck your overall health. It usually only causes central nervous system (CNS) side effects, although other side effects are also possible. One very serious concern is addiction. Patients who use such drugs may get addicted to them and cause harm to their health due to their addiction.

Using benzodiazepines for short-term is acceptable. Long-term use is not recommended.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3819 Questions

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What Are The Side Effects Of Prolonged Intake Of Ativan?

Brief Answer: CNS problems mostly... Detailed Answer: Hello, ativan is not usually supposed to wreck your overall health. It usually only causes central nervous system (CNS) side effects, although other side effects are also possible. One very serious concern is addiction. Patients who use such drugs may get addicted to them and cause harm to their health due to their addiction. Using benzodiazepines for short-term is acceptable. Long-term use is not recommended. I hope you find my comments helpful! You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information. Kind Regards!