One of the most severe side effects of Ativan abuse is the possibility that it will turn into an addiction. Addiction to benzodiazepines, such as Ativan, can occur in as little two weeks of abuse. Severe and acute withdrawal is another potential risk of Ativan abuse. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can result in potentially life-threatening symptoms including seizures, severe agitation, and hallucinations. When an individual suddenly stops taking Ativan, they may also experience headaches, nausea, and vomiting, sleeping problems, excessive sweating and episodes of restlessness.
The best way to minimize potentially uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms is to taper off the Ativan dose, a little at a time. Gradually tapering off of Ativan gives the body time to adjust to being without the drug, and once the dose is small enough, individuals may stop taking the medication without experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms.
Call now to be connected with one of our compassionate treatment specialists. For individuals who participate in regular Ativan abuse, medically supervised detox programs are one of the more reliable ways to safely come off the drug. How long it takes for someone to detox from Ativan will depend on the severity of their abuse.
Individuals who have abused larger doses for a longer time will likely need more time to detox due to the excess Ativan built up in their body.
Following a medically supervised program, most individuals are recommended to continue their treatment in an inpatient or outpatient program , to avoid relapse and potentially fatal overdose. Treatment for Ativan overdose is merely a band-aid to the more significant issue at hand. Keep from freezing. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.
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Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. This risk increases if you take Ativan with certain other drugs or substances, including alcohol. Although rare, misusing Ativan can be fatal. Misusing Ativan can also increase your risk for overdose. Because of the risk for misuse, Ativan is a controlled substance. This means its use is regulated by the government to prevent possible misuse.
You should not share your Ativan prescription with anyone else. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room. Ativan has a boxed warning regarding physical dependence and withdrawal. A boxed warning is the most serious warning given to a medication by the Food and Drug Administration. Using Ativan can lead to physical dependence.
This could lead to withdrawal if you suddenly stop taking the drug, even if you take an approved dosage. You should not suddenly stop taking Ativan. Doing so could cause serious or, rarely, life-threatening side effects that can include:. In some people, withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines such as Ativan can cause symptoms that last for up to 12 months, such as:. Instead of suddenly stopping Ativan treatment, your doctor will help you with a drug taper.
This involves gradually lowering the dosage of the medication over time. A drug taper can help decrease your risk for withdrawal symptoms or make them less severe. You should not suddenly stop taking the drug on your own. The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you. Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Ativan.
These additional articles might be helpful:. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date.
However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.
The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems in the United States, affecting millions of people every year.
The oral tablet is usually taken one to three times a day. The IV solution is given by your healthcare provider. Xanax is available as an oral tablet, which is usually taken three times daily. Ativan and Xanax have some similar side effects, and some that differ. Below are examples of these side effects. Ativan and Xanax are both used to treat anxiety symptoms. Xanax is also FDA-approved to treat generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks.
Ativan is used off-label to treat those conditions, too. They work about equally well to treat all three conditions. This is due to the risk of side effects and dependence. Ativan and Xanax are both brand-name medications. The generic version of a drug usually costs less than the brand-name version. The generic name of Xanax is called alprazolam. Brand-name Ativan usually costs much more than brand-name Xanax.
The generic versions of Ativan and Xanax cost about the same. Whichever drug or version you use, the amount you pay will depend on your insurance. Ativan and Klonopin work in the same way and are very similar medications. They both belong to the class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Ativan and Klonopin have similar side effects. Both drugs can cause these more common side effects:. Ativan and Klonopin are both brand-name medications.
The generic name of Klonopin is called clonazepam. Brand-name Ativan usually costs much more than brand-name Klonopin. The generic versions of Ativan and Klonopin cost about the same. Ativan and Valium both belong to the class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Ativan and Valium have some similar side effects, and some that differ.
Ativan and Valium have different FDA-approved uses, but they are both used to treat the following conditions:. Both Ativan and Valium work quickly. Valium may work longer than Ativan for some uses, but not as long for other uses:.
Ativan and Valium are both brand-name medications. Both are also available in generic form. The generic name of Valium is diazepam. Brand-name Ativan usually costs much more than brand-name Valium. The generic versions of Ativan and Valium cost about the same. Ativan and Ambien have some similar effects in the body. Both are considered to work as sedative-hypnotic drugs.
This means they both cause sleepiness and sedation relaxation. However, these medications belong to different drug classes. Ativan is a benzodiazepine, while Ambien belongs to a class of drugs called non-benzodiazepine hypnotics.
Ambien is available as an oral tablet and as an extended-release tablet called Ambien CR. Both forms are taken once daily just before bedtime. Ativan and Ambien have some similar side effects, and some that differ.
The only condition that both Ativan and Ambien are approved to treat is insomnia. Ativan is usually considered a second-choice option for treating insomnia. Ativan and Ambien are both brand-name medications. The generic name of Ambien is zolpidem. Brand-name Ativan usually costs more than brand-name Ambien. The generic versions of Ativan and Ambien cost about the same.
Ativan tablets should be taken in the way your doctor prescribed them. Ativan is usually taken two or three times daily. These doses are usually spread out at equal intervals. You can take Ativan with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, try taking it with food to help decrease this side effect. Yes, Ativan can be crushed. Some Ativan tablets may also be split.
Ativan is classified as a benzodiazepine. These drugs are typically used to treat anxiety and insomnia, but can also be used to treat other conditions. Benzodiazepines are often categorized by how fast they work onset of action and how long they last in the body duration. This chart includes examples of these classifications. These medications work by boosting the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid GABA within your body. GABA is a neurotransmitter that transmits messages between cells in different parts of your body.
Increasing GABA in the body results in a tranquilizing effect that reduces feelings of stress and anxiety. Benzodiazepines such as Ativan are categorized based on how fast they work.
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