A member asked:

Can't take ssri or snri. is it ok to take .5 ativan (lorazepam) 2x a day for anxiety. i might have to take it long term. really helps w/sleep. i'm 70 yrs. old.

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Dr. Manan Shah answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

Probably not : Unfortunately that sounds like a terrible idea. Ativan (lorazepam) long term makes anxiety worse instead of better and also there are many side effects like withdrawal, tolerance, falls, confusion, delirium. It would be like taking a drink of alcohol twice a day. Please work with your doctor to find other alternatives to ssri or snri for anxiety and sleep.

Answered 10/5/2015

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A member asked:

Can't take ssri or snri. is it ok to take .5 ativan (lorazepam) 2x a day for anxiety. i might have to take it long term. really helps w/sleep. i'm 70 yrs. old.

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Dr. Manan Shah answered

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