A 55-year-old member asked:
is ativan (lorazepam) used for depression?
5 doctor answers • 16 doctors weighed in
Dr. Michael Borookhim answered
Geriatrics 25 years experience
Ativan (lorazepam) is used for: Symptoms of anxiety. It is not used for depression per say. It is an anxiolytic. Ativan (lorazepam) is relatively rapid acting and often can be abused by people once they try it. Some people use it as a sleep medication though that it not the correct indications for this medication.
6080 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. William Drescher commented
Psychiatry 49 years experience
Ativan makes you not care as much about everything, so if you take Ativan you will not care you are depressed. This is not a good idea. Get the proper treatment.
Jan 30, 2012
Dr. Jeffrey Weyeneth answered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
No: Ativan (lorazepam) is a benzodiazepine usually used for the treatment of anxiety. It may also be used to help with the anxiety symptoms sometimes associated with depression.
6058 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Alan Ali answered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Ativan (lorazepam): Anxiety medications can be used for anxiety associated with depression, or for agitation, not to treat depression per se.
5744 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. David Wyatt answered
Family Medicine 26 years experience
No: Ativan (lorazepam) is an anti-anxiety medication and used usually on a daily basis and does not treat depression.
5744 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Michael Borookhim commented
Geriatrics 25 years experience
I agree. Its is an anxyolytic and not used for depression.
Jul 10, 2012
Dr. Heidi Fowler answered
Psychiatry 25 years experience
Ativan: No, Ativan is not an antidepressant. It can be used for anxiety.
59 viewsAnswered Jul 7, 2020
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Last updated Jul 7, 2020
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