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Suggest Ways To Manage Withdrawal Symptoms When Weaning Off Lorazapam
Question: trying to get off lorazapam, i have tried withdrawals were horrible, ended up gong back on it 1mg and a 1/2 to to sleep, could not sleep for 4 days after stopping does, at lost to what to do, feeling low depressed and tired, i need off the medication, i am stuck, i am now sleep at least 8 hours a night with the dose, Dr says once I can sleep 8 hours I can stop taking the medication to dose down again, i need help makes me stomach and colon very sick,
I also notice it causes me gastric issues with consititpatio, I have IBS but not to this degree where I can't have a bowel movement for days, cramps and nausea too, I have been to ER they said I was mildly consitpated, nothing has really worked to relieve I think it is due to the loprazapam side effects.
I also notice it causes me gastric issues with consititpatio, I have IBS but not to this degree where I can't have a bowel movement for days, cramps and nausea too, I have been to ER they said I was mildly consitpated, nothing has really worked to relieve I think it is due to the loprazapam side effects.
Brief Answer:
Doses should be reduced gradually
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine drug and reduction of doses or stopping the doses after prolonged intake result in withdrawal in form of insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, dizziness, craving etc symptoms. You are taking 1 mg per day.
If dose reduction is difficult and you are not able to sleep properly then other drug that is similar to lorazepam can be added and then it should replace Lorazepam. As sleep is main issue then drugs like Zolpidem can be used. 5 mg doses of Zolpidem will be comparable to 1 mg Lorazepam and will help in sleep. Once you become stabilised with that drug then you can stop taking the drug because tapering the doses of Zolpidem is easier.
Other drug similar to Lorazepam can be added like Diazepam. Diazepam is long acting benzodiazepine drug and tapering from Diazepam is convenient as compared to Lorazepam. If we consider dose equivalent then 5 mg of Diazepam are equal to 1 mg of Lorazepam. First of all the drug should replace the Lorazepam completely and then gradual reduction of doses of Diazepam should be done over 4 weeks. Reduction of doses by 20-25% every 1-2 weeks will result in smooth withdrawal. I hope this helps you. Lorazepam at this dose cant cause much constipation or IBS like symptoms, but still if the symptoms are intolerable then increase fibre contents in diet and take plenty of water till you stop using the drug. Diazepam will maintain sleep and it would be easier with this drug to taper the doses. Visit a psychiatrist for help and prescription of drugs.
Thanks, hope this helps you. Please ask again for more doubts.
Doses should be reduced gradually
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine drug and reduction of doses or stopping the doses after prolonged intake result in withdrawal in form of insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, dizziness, craving etc symptoms. You are taking 1 mg per day.
If dose reduction is difficult and you are not able to sleep properly then other drug that is similar to lorazepam can be added and then it should replace Lorazepam. As sleep is main issue then drugs like Zolpidem can be used. 5 mg doses of Zolpidem will be comparable to 1 mg Lorazepam and will help in sleep. Once you become stabilised with that drug then you can stop taking the drug because tapering the doses of Zolpidem is easier.
Other drug similar to Lorazepam can be added like Diazepam. Diazepam is long acting benzodiazepine drug and tapering from Diazepam is convenient as compared to Lorazepam. If we consider dose equivalent then 5 mg of Diazepam are equal to 1 mg of Lorazepam. First of all the drug should replace the Lorazepam completely and then gradual reduction of doses of Diazepam should be done over 4 weeks. Reduction of doses by 20-25% every 1-2 weeks will result in smooth withdrawal. I hope this helps you. Lorazepam at this dose cant cause much constipation or IBS like symptoms, but still if the symptoms are intolerable then increase fibre contents in diet and take plenty of water till you stop using the drug. Diazepam will maintain sleep and it would be easier with this drug to taper the doses. Visit a psychiatrist for help and prescription of drugs.
Thanks, hope this helps you. Please ask again for more doubts.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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