Suggest Ways To Manage Withdrawal Symptoms Of Ativan

Posted on Mon, 21 Nov 2016

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

Mon, 21 Nov 2016 Answered on

Tue, 13 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello, I've took Ativan for 3 weeks .5 twice a day, totaling 1mg. I started tapering after the 3rd week and I'm down to .25 3 x a day, totaling .75mg. I'm reading horror stories and am terrified. I'm tapering at 12.5% a week. What do you think? So far, the only taper withdrawal symptoms I have had are one nights disrupted sleep, muscle weakness, on and off dizziness and burning skin. Some sadness in the morning.

Do you think my taper schedule sounds appropriate for the time I was on it? 3 weeks on and completed one week of tapering, onto my second week of tapering. So I'm currently at .25 3x a day equaling .75 a day.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
your tapering schedule is fine

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for writing to us. Your tapering is slow and appropriate for the time and dose.

By reducing 0.25 mg I do not think that you would get withdrawal symptoms which are severe. Sleep disturbance can be there for 1-2 days but not more than that. You can use some measures called 'sleep hygiene' which would help in sleep. You can find the same in below link.

sleepfoundation.org/ask-the-expert/sleep-hygiene

Muscle weakness and burning skin are not likely withdrawal. You can take tylenol for relief. However if these symptoms continue better consult your treating doctor once for opinion.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (25 minutes later)

Thank you, Do you think reducing my dose every week by 12.5% is okay or is it prolonging it too long. I used 1mg for 3 weeks straight and then went down to .875 last week and now I'm down to .75 a day this week. Should I make bigger cuts and go faster or keep it steady and slow, putting me at finishing around Christmas? It feels strange that I took it regularly for 3 week and will have to taper for 7-8 weeks or is it just safer that way?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
you can go faster

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for asking your doubt.

You can reduce 25% every week which I used to follow in my patients or you can reduce 12.5% every 4th day. If you have taken irregularly you can surely go faster for tapering safely.

All the best.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (9 hours later)

Thank you, Do you think I can take advil for relief instead?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
yes you can take advil

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Yes you can take advil for relief on required basis.

If still any query there, I will be happy to answer. If not, you can close the discussion and give your feedback and rating so I can improve my service.

In future if you wish you can contact me directly with following link:
http://bit.ly/drchintansolanki

by clicking on 'Ask me a question' on same page with three follow up questions.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng