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Hi I Took Lorazepam This Morning At 8:30am For My

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Posted on Sat, 6 Jul 2019
Question: Hi I took lorazepam this morning at 8:30am for my anxiety but I’m wanting to go out drinking with my friends how long should I wait to drink ?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Several points.

Detailed Answer:
The lorazepam has a 12 hr half life. The blood levels drop by about half after 12 hrs and by 24 at 1/4th, not much is there. One dose and one drink right on top of each other are issues for mental alertness, driving, coordination, and being impaired but that is about it. And after 12 hrs the impairment from alcohol is increased--but not by much. So, one drink isn't going to be that bad unless you are driving. 2 drinks with lorazepam in an average female is getting to be a bit much and might be a bit much in anyone. If someone is smaller, female, older, more sensitive to alcohol or has liver impairment or drinks on an empty stomach or with grapefruit juice the effect is going to be more.

12 hrs might be ok. 24 hrs is certainly ok, but if 12 hrs. don't drive or be in a hazardous situation and you might need someone to watch out for you.

And that is the least of the issues.

Without actually seeing you and taking a complete history I can only give general information. This is not about you in particular because I can not know you from an online interaction.

And, the issue is lorazepam is a 12 hr drug. It takes most of an hour to reach it's full affect. How can someone take it once a day for anxiety? Preventative drugs such as many antidepressants OR longer acting drugs OR even better cognitive behavioral therapy are preferred. Furthermore, use of alcohol, lorazepam, indeed ANY damper of the brain will produce reflex increased activation of the brain that feels like anxiety when the damper of the brain activity wears off. It is one of the milder hangover effects to have anxiety and tremor. This is also caused by any use or withdrawal from cannabis.
There might be other factors going on with the anxiety.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

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

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4214 Questions

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Hi I Took Lorazepam This Morning At 8:30am For My

Brief Answer: Several points. Detailed Answer: The lorazepam has a 12 hr half life. The blood levels drop by about half after 12 hrs and by 24 at 1/4th, not much is there. One dose and one drink right on top of each other are issues for mental alertness, driving, coordination, and being impaired but that is about it. And after 12 hrs the impairment from alcohol is increased--but not by much. So, one drink isn't going to be that bad unless you are driving. 2 drinks with lorazepam in an average female is getting to be a bit much and might be a bit much in anyone. If someone is smaller, female, older, more sensitive to alcohol or has liver impairment or drinks on an empty stomach or with grapefruit juice the effect is going to be more. 12 hrs might be ok. 24 hrs is certainly ok, but if 12 hrs. don't drive or be in a hazardous situation and you might need someone to watch out for you. And that is the least of the issues. Without actually seeing you and taking a complete history I can only give general information. This is not about you in particular because I can not know you from an online interaction. And, the issue is lorazepam is a 12 hr drug. It takes most of an hour to reach it's full affect. How can someone take it once a day for anxiety? Preventative drugs such as many antidepressants OR longer acting drugs OR even better cognitive behavioral therapy are preferred. Furthermore, use of alcohol, lorazepam, indeed ANY damper of the brain will produce reflex increased activation of the brain that feels like anxiety when the damper of the brain activity wears off. It is one of the milder hangover effects to have anxiety and tremor. This is also caused by any use or withdrawal from cannabis. There might be other factors going on with the anxiety.