Drug Ratings for ATIVANAverage Rating: 3.3 (677 Ratings)
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Results are sorted by length of time drug was taken from shortest to longest (with no time reported listed first) Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) |
Charts & graphs: Reviews Summary for ATIVAN | Top 10 Adverse Effects (reported to FDA)
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR ATIVAN | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
  | F M | | | | |||
| 5 | Anxiety | Mild drowsiness | I took this medicine as needed after my mother died. I only used it a few times a week. It worked great to make life more manageable and help my mind and body relax. My doctor warned me though to only take it when needed and I listened. | F | 42 | 1 1X AN | 2/14/2011 | 5 | Anxiety | Mild drowsiness | I took this medicine as needed after my mother died. I only used it a few times a week. It worked great to make life more manageable and help my mind and body relax. My doctor warned me though to only take it when needed and I listened. | F | 42 | 1 1X AN | 2/14/2011 | 5 | Agoraphobia, Emetophobia, OCD, PTSD | Drowsiness for the first week | Ativan is my LIFE SAVER! I had it for a few months just sitting in the bottle because i'm not a fan of taking meds as I am scared of side effects because of my emetophobia, but once I took it I was so glad I did! I had agoraphobia and was housebound for 2 years, I was taking 0.5 MG when I would have mild panic attacks at home, drowsiness was the only side effect I had, but after a week or so it went away. One day my family decided I needed to get help so they gave me 2 MG of Ativan and, after 2 years of not leaving my yard, I was able to drive myself to the hospital and check myself in to get therapy. That was 2 months ago, now I take 1 MG 3 times daily and I have not had a problem leaving the house since, its a miracle drug for me and I thank God for the doctor who prescribed it to me. I will take it daily for as long as I need to, until I feel comfortable without it through the help of therapy. People will try to tell you not to take it daily, but i'm here to say from experience it works and if thats what you need to live a fulfilled life go for it! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ATIVAN!!!! | F | 22 | 1 MG 1X D | 9/20/2011 History | 5 | None | M | 68 | 1MG 1X AN | 12/2/2011 | 5 | anxiety | F | 45 | | 1/19/2006 | 5 | | 11/18/2004 | 5 | | 5/12/2004 | 5 | | 5/18/2004 | 5 | | 6/4/2004 | 5 | | 5/7/2004 | 5 | Panic Attacks | mild tolerance | Excellent drug! It works better than Valium (Diazepam) but be warned it is addictive. Did you know that 1mg of Lorazepam is the same as 10mg Valium? So the people who are taking 5mgs Lorazepam are actually taking the equivalent of 50mgs Valium!! It also helps my OCD. | M | 16 | | 6/25/2003 | 5 | for anxiety | no side effects, back to normal. I can work out, do all my chores, am nicer to the family, and it just helps me from worrying about things that are not there or that I have no control over. It is the only drug that worked for me. I was on paxil for 5 yrs. wanted off that rollarcoaster, it changes your brain chemicals, and I just wanted something to calm me down from my negative thoughts. | F | 42 | | 10/9/2001 | 5 | situational anxiety | None | I was prescribed ativan by MD for the situational anxiety I have -- giving presentations, talking in front of large groups, social settings, etc. When I get really anxious I break out in hives on my face/neck/chest, it's really unsightly and embarassing. I am getting married in the fall, and ativan has changed my life. I took a claritin and .75mg of ativan for my bridal shower (where 50+ people watched as I opened gifts etc) and was completely calm, collected, and my usual outgoing self. | F | 24 | | 6/25/2007 | 5 | anxiety | None | Works For Me | M | 60 | | 5/3/2007 | 4 | anxiety | sleepy, lazy | I started taking Lorazipam (generic of Ativan) for anxiety attacks for a few weeks while going through a bunch of medical tests. Works wonders. And quickly. Haven't ever felt withdrawal symptoms, but I only take a half pill at a time. Makes you sleepy, but not too sleepy to work/drive. (and I figured better to be a little sleepy than completely stressed out and unable to concentrate!) Be careful with alcohol though. Didn't notice a problem when I had a glass of wine AFTER taking it a few hours earlier, but felt VERY loopy when I had a glass of wine and THEN took a half pill. | F | 27 | | 8/20/2007 | 4 | anxiety | Slightly drowsey. | I was prescribed Ativan to take as necessary for periodic anxiety. There are warnings about alcohol intensifying the effect, and after my first dose I had some wine the NEXT night (over 24 hours after taking 1 1mg Ativan) and it seemed that the effects of the wine were intesified greatly even then, so be careful. I figured I'd be fine since I hadn't taken Ativan that day, but from now on I'll stay away from any alcohol for a few days after taking Ativan. Other than that I have to say that when I was prescribed Ativan I was in a really bad spot of obsessive anxiety and the drug snapped me right out of it, so I am happy to be back to normal so quickly. | M | 35 | | 7/21/2007 | 4 | Fear of Flying/Anxiety | Drowsiness. Also, I had a slight sensation which felt like I had cotton in my ears. | Worked great. Eased my anxiety and allowed me to fall asleep only to wake up and feel refreshed 2 hours later. I took .5 mg and that was perfect for me. Don't take on a daily basis but only in stressful situations. | M | 24 | | 5/10/2002 | 4 | | 1/6/2005 | 4 | | 2/17/2005 | 4 | SLEEP | F | 33 | | 1/3/2004 | 4 | | 1/7/2004 | 4 | | 4/29/2004 | 4 | anxiety | hands and arm feel swollen, without being swollen ach and tingle and sometimes numb. | F | 61 | | 7/23/2004 | 4 | Anxiety, insomnia | None. | A wonderful medication. I have used it to deal with two "issues" over the past four years and am starting again after a few months off it. Half a .5mg tablet calms me down in about 20 mins. I don't feel drugged or loopy, just calm; a nice, natural, welcome feeling. After several months, I did develop a tolerance. Stopping was not as difficult as some here say it is. There are concerns, but my psychiatrist says at this low dosage not to worry. For me, this is not the evil drug many make it out to be. It is a welcome relief from anxiety. | M | 51 | | 11/28/2008 | 4 | panic attacks, insomnia | Only drowsiness about an hour after ingestion. Did provide me with a sense of calmness. | Please be careful! I have had episodes of rebound after going off it after taking it for a few days (1-3mg/day) i.e., added anxiety and sleeplessness. Easy to get addicted to this drug. | M | 39 | | 5/30/2009 | 4 | Panick attacks | Hangover,if taken regularly, which can lead to more anxiety and panick. | In my early 30's I was prescribed l mg Ativan 3-4 times a day. I became hopelessly addicted and experienced violent withdrawal symptoms and I had no choice than to take more Ativan and it became a vicious cycle. Luckily I found a doctor who guided me to gradually cut down on the dose and it took me appr. 3 months to | F | 58 | | 8/22/2005 | 4 | anxiety | none | M | 35 | | 1/5/2007 | 4 | GAD, Panic Attacks | I haven't really experienced any bad side effects from Ativan except maybe some drowsiness about 30 minutes after taking it. I do worry though about withdrawals if I decide to stop this med. | F | 43 | 1mg 2X D | 4/17/2013 History | 4 | anxiety | 1X D | 11/22/2014 | 3 | Sleep | People on this site get surprised when they take this drug for 10 years straight and then try and come off cold turkey and get withdrawals.... Do not take more than twice a week and you will be fine. Take it every day and you will obviously screw yourself up. Works great though for sleep. Just be very careful and take as little as possible as infrequently as possible. ANDDDDDD yeahhh. | M | 16 | 1X D | 10/5/2013 | 3 | back problems | test headache | 1X D | 9/27/2012 | 3 | tired | | 4/16/2009 | 3 | given to my Dad by Hospice | Hospice gives Ativan 1 ml sublingual every hours. after 12 hours I requested they give only as needed (PRN), as Dad was not experiencing anxiety after 1st dose. They held medication for 24 hours, and his close friend was able to talk to him briefly; although Dad could no longer talk, He realized she was there with him. After beginning to experince agitation shortly therafter this visit, Nurses administered Ativan,which fully sedated him for the next 4 days, when he then passed away. If You wish to have family members see/talk to your parent/loved one before they die, you may wish to ask Doctor's or Hospice for some other med, temporarily. Ativan seems to put seniors into a complete stupor where they will not be able to respond to anyone. When I die, I would like to be concious enough to know that my wife or my relatives are there with me. with Ativan, that probably won't happen | M | 57 | | 8/30/2008 | 3 | panic attack | wild dreams and only after 14 days I felt lost and cried if I was not on the meds. Was not sad or crying before.. just stomach pains and panic attacks ;-( | I am a bit confused as my doctor has me on prilosec for my terrible tummy pains, heart burn which is contributing to my panic attacks. No panic attacks before ulcer issue.. Also a bout with IBS and now it seems in reading sounds like it is the wrong drug (ativan) when you have IBS and ulcers!.... Bummed | F | 36 | | 12/20/2007 | 3 | | 5/5/2004 | 3 | | 6/24/2005 | 3 | | 6/24/2005 | 2 | | 6/2/2007 | 1 | migraines,anxiety, depression, | had to be admitted to hospital detox unit for ativan addiction. HIGHLY ADDICTIVE!! (within 5-7 days of use)Withdrawing from this drug was the most painful experience of my life (unmedicated childbirth was easier) Causes rebound anxiety after continued use-ie-anxiety increased.I NEVER took this drug at higher than prescribed doses-followed docs directions ALWAYS. Because it involves the same receptors in the brain as alcohol,began self-medicating with alcohol in between doses. Increases depression. | Had to be hospitalized to detox because of the potential of seizures,cardiovascular complications,even death. The withdrawal is horrendous- worst pain physically ive ever experiened! every muscle in my body cramped- chest pain- unbelievable shaking- insomnia. this drug is POISON!! it took my life away. im grateful i didnt die/and to have my life back | F | | 11/13/2004 | 1 | sedative for MRI | Worked great during the procedure. I didn't have a care in the world. When it started wearing off, I became VERY violent. Hitting people even. My daughter said to make sure I never take this again! | F | 37 | | 1/28/2009 | 1 | anxiety | headaches, insomnia, achey body, tender breasts, overall feeling of flu like symptoms at times, among other things. | The hospital made a mistake and didn't send me home with any or a script, after about 30 hours, my skin and breasts were burning, I could barely talk, headaches, I was bumping into things and my heart was racing, thought I was having a heart attack. Can't even remember all the side effects. They put me back on it, and are weaning me off, but I still get some side effects, can't wait til I am off completely, will never take again. I've been on it about 7 weeks now. | F | 52 | | 9/17/2008 | 1 | | 1/22/2006 | 1 | panic attacks, anxiety | drowsyness, sleepnesness, as almoust any other drug doen't cure, just give a reliefe from your disorder | I took this drug just in extreme cases because a doctor told me that this drug is addictive. After learning how to control my anxiety (deep briething exercise, avoiding diary products, sugar and caffeine and taking hot and cold shower), I did not need to take Ativan any more. Then I cured my anxiety disoder with TAAT (targeted amino acid therapy), cranial electrotherapy and some herbal supplements. | F | 20 | | 4/20/2006 | 1 | extreme emotions, suicidal impulses | VERY agressive behavior. additionally, i was given it to prevent siezures during a week in the icu after an attempted suicide. i would rip out my IVs and was verbally and physically violent to the point i had to be restrained. (i have no memory of any of this.) | apparently this is a very rare side-effect. my psychiatrist tells me that she's only seen a handful of patients react in this manner — and she has been practicing for decades and has previously held a prominent position at one of the most prestigious medical schools in the country.
i took the drug as needed. it took a while before i made the connection of taking it and the affect on my mood. | M | 26 | | 4/24/2006 | 1 | sleep | none | took before bed 1mg to help with sleep and was like taking nothing. Did not help at all. | F | 37 | | 9/9/2006 | 5 | percocet withdrawal | None | After a C-section, Percocet screwed me up. I stopped taking it and stopped sleeping. New mother, breastfeeding, no sleep (4 days), high anxiety. I actually thought I was dying. I took just half a pill of Ativan and slept for four hours and felt amazing when I woke up! I didn't take any more but that's all it took for me to start sleeping again. | F | 28 | 1 times | 9/10/2004 | 1 | MRI sedation | Nausea, dry mouth, vomiting, side cramping, increased anxiety over fully enclosed MRI, uncontrollable shaking. | I had high hopes that this medication would take away my anxiety of going into the tube of doom. It did the opposite while making me sick and shaky. I took the first pill, and after the terrible side effects, I flushed the other one down the toilet and was driven home. After about 2 hrs of taking it I was able to eat again, was sleepy, and had a bad headache. I will never take this again!! | M | 39 | 1 times 1mg | 12/28/2015 | 5 | Fear of flying | Mild sleepiness | I only take this to fly; it is the ONLY thing that gets me on a plane! | F | 36 | 4 times | 7/17/2006 | 2 | Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia | None. | It always surprises me when I hear others with panic attacks rave about how well this worked for them. I took up to 1.5 mg on various occasions and could never tell if it had actually | F | 32 | 5 times | 10/15/2004 | 2 | Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia | None. | It always surprises me when I hear others with panic attacks rave about how well this worked for them. I took up to 1.5 mg on various occasions and could never tell if it had actually | F | 32 | 5 times | 10/15/2004 | 1 | stress | dizzy, off balance | M | 65 | 5 times .25 1X AN | 1/1/2011 | 1 | Insomnia | Didn't work. Started at .5mg, nothing. 1mg, nothing. 1.5mg...you get the idea. I've had the same bottle for over a year cause I usually don't even bother taking it. Sane with Klonopin...no effect. Ambien works for insomnia, about 50% of the time. I think I'm doomed to sleepless life. | F | 28 | 10 times 1mg | 6/26/2012 | 5 | anxiety/ocd | Slight drowsiness | I'm thinking maybe some people who dontl like Ativan had an "allergic" reaction. I took Serzone for about a week a few years ago and it casued all sorts of nasty side-effects--vivid nightmares, feeling doped up during the day, etc. I switiced to Ativan and no probelms. If you look at the Serzone section on this site, you'll find a lot "5" ratings--people love it, but it wasn't right for me. I just had a bad reaction to Serzone, just as others may have ahd with Ativan. You have to find what works for you. | M | 46 | 1 days | 11/9/2006 | 5 | OCD anxiety | My 16 year old son took it and had absolutely NONE | Ativan is a wonderful drug. I would recommend as low affective dose as possible. This stuff gave our family back our lives, more importantly my son. This is NOT ADDICTIVE if used to bring yourself up to normal levels. It is ONLY ADDICTIVE if it goes beyond normal levels and is used for a | M | 16 | 1 days | 11/24/2004 | 5 | For nervousness | None. | Dosage was 2 pills, taken prior to a procedure. Greatly decreased nervousness and enabled sleep after procedure. | F | 34 | 1 days | 9/28/2004 | 5 | anxiety | none noticed | I couldn't sleep for 2 days due to anxiety, it made that adjust immediately | F | 47 | 1 days | 4/26/2009 | 5 | Migraines | It worked GREAT, immediately and I didn't feel "doped up" at all. It got rid of the migraine and I could even work! Take only PRN. | My doctor prescribed this when long-term migraines didn't respond to Imitrex. Of course, I only take as needed and only if the Imitrex doesn't work first. Benzodiazepines are too easily addictive. | F | 40 | 1 days | 3/14/2008 | 5 | To stop seizures | Food taste different | M | 62 | 1 days 20mg | 1/14/2016 | 5 | i am in anxiety ...... | 1 days 1 | 12/4/2013 | 5 | Anxiety/Panic Attacks | This is my first day on it and I feel fantastic!!! I went from having several full- lown panic attacks a day to have zero today. Plenty of things happened today that would have normally triggered my attacks, but I wasn't even phased. :) I feel cool, calm and collected. First thing that has EVER worked for me in 17 years! I'm hoping it stays this way! | So far, it is AMAZING! | F | 31 | 1 days 0.5 MG | 12/4/2014 |