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Suggest Ways To Wean Off Ativan

Posted on Thu, 25 May 2017

Question: HOW CAN ATIVAN BE EVENTUALLY ELIMINATED AS A SOLUTION TO ANXIETY ?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Progressive dose reduction is needed.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HealthcareMagic.

Ativan is Lorazepam and a good drug for anxiety. Gradual dose reduction over 8-12 weeks is the treatment to eliminate the drug totally.

Please let me know what is the dose of the drug that you are taking..

Thanks and Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (12 minutes later)

Present dosage is 1-2 0.5 mg tablets every 8 hours as needed.

I currently take only 1- .5mg tablet at night. (sorry - I didn't mention that before.)

Thanks for your reply.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Reduce the doses gradually

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

The doses you are taking are not very high so dose reduction would be easier. You can reduce the dose by 20% every two weeks and stop completely at around 6 weeks.

Reduce the dose to 0.25 twice a day and one extra on SOS basis if needed for two weeks then miss one dose for next two weeks followed by 0.125 mg for next two weeks followed by stopping drug completely. Dose reduction in this manner would not cause any problems like withdrawal symptoms.

Thanks and Take care.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

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