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How To Rule Out Lorazepam Addiction?
I have been taking 1 mg of lorazepam for anxiety each day for two weeks. I typically take 1/2 about noon and the other 1/2 about 5:00 p.m. Right before the first half wears off, my stomach begins cramping like it is calling for the lorazepam. Does this mean that I am addicted to this drug? Is it possible to develop an addiction to this drug after just two of taking only 1 mg per day? I am a 79 year old male. I feel like I have to have this pill. Help! My email address is YYYY@YYYY . Please let me hear from u soon
Mon, 16 May 2016
Brief Answer:
Stop taking Lorazepam.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM.
Lorazepam is a strong, short-acting benzodiazepine with anxiolytic/hypnotic effects, therefore it leads to dependence and withdrawal symptoms in case of its discontinuation. Stop taking Lorazepam and start Diazepam. Switching to another long-acting benzodiazepine, such as Diazepam 5-10 mg before sleep, is the best solution in this situation. After 1 or 2 weeks under Diazepam, you may begin to reduce its dosage gradually every 2-weeks by 2.5 mg...until you don't feel you need to take it anymore.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications. Otherwise please close and rate the answer.
Kind Regards,
Dr. Juarda
Stop taking Lorazepam.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM.
Lorazepam is a strong, short-acting benzodiazepine with anxiolytic/hypnotic effects, therefore it leads to dependence and withdrawal symptoms in case of its discontinuation. Stop taking Lorazepam and start Diazepam. Switching to another long-acting benzodiazepine, such as Diazepam 5-10 mg before sleep, is the best solution in this situation. After 1 or 2 weeks under Diazepam, you may begin to reduce its dosage gradually every 2-weeks by 2.5 mg...until you don't feel you need to take it anymore.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications. Otherwise please close and rate the answer.
Kind Regards,
Dr. Juarda
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