Will Discontinuing Lorazepam Cause Unmanageable Withdrawal Symptoms?

Posted on Tue, 5 Sep 2017

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

Tue, 5 Sep 2017 Answered on

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I was prescribed 30 pills of lorazepam (0.5 MG per pill) and between August 23 and September 4 (13 days) I took 18 of the 30 pills for a total dose of 9 MG or about an average of 0.7 MG a day.I told my doctor that i had been experiencing anxiety off and on since last Friday and i had only slept maybe 2 hours over the last 48 hours. She told me to taper off by talking half of a 0.5 pill today and the other half tomorrow and then to call her Thursday as to how things were going.I told her that although my insomnia was not great (she said i would eventually fall asleep one way or another ) that my anxiety came and went and not at an extremely high level (my anxiety has been at a low to moderate level and at times non existent). I assume I am now looking at having to withdraw off lorazepam.I have heard about withdrawals being very difficult. Do i have reason to expect my withdrawal will be difficult and take a long time?

Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You have not induced dependence, so no withdrawal at all. No need to worry..

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for using HealthcareMagic,

You have taken Lorazepam for only 13 days, so there should not have any dependence developed yet. So basically, it would not be difficult at all even if you stop it immediately.

Anyway, to be sure, I would suggest taking 0.5mg for a couple of more days, then lower to 0.25mg for 2-3 days and then stop using it.

Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.

Regards,
Dr. Papaqako

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee