Suggest Dosage For Ativan

Posted on Mon, 9 Nov 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 9 Nov 2015 Answered on

Tue, 1 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I am withdrawing from Ativan. Have been taking 2mgs. & am now down to l mg. How much do I drop now? Have been on l mg for l week. I am 78 yrs old & have been quite unsteady on my feet. Was thinking I would drop tonight by 1/4 of a tablet to 3/4. Would that be advisable?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Dose should be reduced gradually.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. Ativan is Lorazepam and the drug is a benzodiazepine drug. The drug doses should be reduced gradually after regular prolonged intake to prevent withdrawal symptoms. You have reduced the doses from 2 mg to 1 mg since last one week and in my opinion you should continue with same 1 mg dose for at least 1-2 more weeks. After about 1-2 weeks reduce the doses by 0.25 (i.e. 1/4th tablet) for one more week and then progressively reduce the doses of the drug. This will prevent any withdrawal symptoms.

Please take the drugs as per your prescription only.

Thanks. Take care.

If you have more doubts please ask again.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar