Question 1

decreasing prn meds due to all the meds i take for back issues. is l-theanine a good substitute for ativan (lorazepam) for anxiety? how effective is it?

Accepted Answer

Complex situation : I don't know what dose of Lorazepam you are on or how long you've been on it. I would not however utilize l-theanine as a substitute for lorazepam. You would first have to gradually, and i mean very gradually taper down the dose of Lorazepam under the supervision of your prescribing physician. L-theanine has shown to be as effective as Lorazepam in some studies. However, it does not block Lorazepam withdrawal. After you were to withdraw from the lorazepam, your doctor would some point introduce the other over-the-counter substance to see if it would help in terms of your anxiety.

Question 2

being weaned off .5 mg ativan (2 x day). been taking since sept 1st. new psychiatrist prescribed 25 mg hydroxyzine once per day as needed. is it ok to substitute one dose ativan for the dose of hydroxyzine?

Accepted Answer

: You should be directing your questions to your current psychiatrist. It's not that you're not under someone's care.

Question 3

hi,

how long does it take for ativan to work?

thanks

Accepted Answer

Within 1 hour: While it may depend on your drug history, other meds and how recently you have eaten, Ativan will begin to work within 30-60 minutes after swallowing. Be sure to avoid alcohol while taking this drug, don’t drive or operate dangerous machinery, as it WILL show responses.

Question 4

how long do i need to wait to take ativan after a couple of drinks?

Accepted Answer

8 hours.: Alcohol is a poison that never did anybody any good, ever, so stay away from it.
Wish you good health! - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex, if you have sex.

Question 5

i had 4 mg of ativan in 24 hours, will i be okay? i feel funny. is that an overdose level

Accepted Answer

Will be fine.: 4 mg of ativan is a fair amount, but the medication has a large therapeutic window.  That is, a large dose may make you feel funny, sleep and forget what happened but is not toxic.

Question 6

when taking ativan twice a day at 0.5mg how long after the first pill can i take the second?

Accepted Answer

: Twice a day med can be taken at 12 +/- 2 hours. i.e. 10-14 hours apart.

Question 7

how long would it take for ativan to leave one's system if they took .5mg twice a day for 10 days?

Accepted Answer

Ativan and drug test: Generally benzodiazepines (ativan is one of them) take up to 7 days to clear with chronic use  - see https://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/treatments/pharmacological/demystifying-benzodiazepine-urine-drug-screen-results.    None of the OTC remedies will work  - don't waste your money.    The only solution is time - or having a script for the ativan.

Question 8

i take ativans 0.5 mg when needed and was wondering if still good when expired december 11 2016 i would need them right about now?

Accepted Answer

They are fine.: No pill is going to spoil 3 weeks after it's expiration date.

Question 9

i had 0.5 mg of ativan at 8:30 am and 0.5 mg at 11:30, it is now 3 pm and i would like to go out for some drinks with friends. is this okay? i don't plan on taking anymore ativan.

Accepted Answer

Ativan and alcohol: You should be safe as long as you don't overdo it with the drinks.    Both ativan and alcohol are central nervous system depressants  -  you might notice that become sleepy sooner or feel drunk sooner.    IT is NOT safe to consume alcohol and ativan at the same time.

Question 10

so ive been taking 0.5mg ativan for about 20 days but didnt take it 3 or 4 days spread out through the 20 days and sometimes it was 1mg as i was prescribed but never no more than 1mg and im wondering if im still in the safe area for taking it?

Accepted Answer

: Ativan is habit forming even at the dose you take.  If you wish to discontinue its use go on a slow taper off it with the ok and supervision of your prescribing physician.

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Doctor answers about:

Substitute for ativan

A member asked:

Decreasing prn meds due to all the meds i take for back issues. is l-theanine a good substitute for ativan (lorazepam) for anxiety? how effective is it?

A member asked:

Being weaned off .5 mg ativan (2 x day). been taking since sept 1st. new psychiatrist prescribed 25 mg hydroxyzine once per day as needed. is it ok to substitute one dose ativan for the dose of hydroxyzine?

A member asked:

Hi, how long does it take for ativan to work? thanks

A member asked:

How long do i need to wait to take ativan after a couple of drinks?

A member asked:

I had 4 mg of ativan in 24 hours, will i be okay? i feel funny. is that an overdose level

A member asked:

When taking ativan twice a day at 0.5mg how long after the first pill can i take the second?

A member asked:

How long would it take for ativan to leave one's system if they took .5mg twice a day for 10 days?

A member asked:

I take ativans 0.5 mg when needed and was wondering if still good when expired december 11 2016 i would need them right about now?

A member asked:

I had 0.5 mg of ativan at 8:30 am and 0.5 mg at 11:30, it is now 3 pm and i would like to go out for some drinks with friends. is this okay? i don't plan on taking anymore ativan.

A member asked:

So ive been taking 0.5mg ativan for about 20 days but didnt take it 3 or 4 days spread out through the 20 days and sometimes it was 1mg as i was prescribed but never no more than 1mg and im wondering if im still in the safe area for taking it?

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