Suggest Ways To Wean Off Ativan

Posted on Thu, 25 Jun 2015

Question: I was put on ativan Monday evening, they injected me with 2mg at the ER. They sent me home with some. On monday I took 1 mg in the afternoon and 1mg at night. Wednesday I took .5 mg during the day and 1 mg in the evening. Today I took .5 in the morning and .5 in the afternoon.

How do I taper off from here? How much do I take this evening and how can I safely get off? I know it has only been 5 days, but I want to avoid any and all withdrawl symptoms.

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
ativan does not cause dependence in 5 days.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.

I understand your concerns.

Kindly mention, for what indication you were give ativan?

You have taken 0.5mg in morning and 0.5 mg in afternoon.
I think you should take 0.5mg in the night.

Then take 0.5mg twice a day in morning and night next day, 0.5 mg in night the other day.
There should not be any withdrawals with this regime as Ativan does not cause dependence in 5 days.

Hope this helps.
Feel free to ask further.

Keep your doctor informed about this.

Take care.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (9 minutes later)

I had a severe panic attack where I could not eat or sleep for 5 days. The ativan was administered so I could sleep and eat. Today was the first day I had three meals.

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
decrease the dose as advised earlier.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the follow-up.

You can decrease the dose as per the schedule I described earlier.

But, as soon as you start feeling anxious again, I will start ativan 0.5 mg to abort impending panic attack.

Kindly keep in touch with your doctor.

I wish you well.

Kindly close the discussion if you have no more queries and give your valuable feedback.

Take care.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad