Drug Ratings for ATIVANAverage Rating: 3.3 (677 Ratings)
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Results are sorted by Date Rating Was Added 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 | Panic/anxiety/post traumatic stress | none | I was "normal" until a series of very serious events took over my life, I have not been the same since. Ativan keeps me feeling "normal" again and I can work and be social without anyone knowing I have this going on. I wish I didn't need it, but I do, and thank you God for having it available or I would not be here today. | F | 59 | 9 years 1 mg. 4X D | 8/30/2010 | 3 | anxiety/insomnia | addiction | Worked greatly for alleviating insomnia and anxiety in the short term, but this is a highly addictive drug and I soon found I had to keep increasing my doses in order for it to work. I don't take ativan anymore but I have been dependent on benzos ever since I started taking ativan, 3 years ago. I can't function without benzodiazapines, which is fine for now but I am terrified of trying to stop taking them. | F | 21 | 1.5 years 2 1X D | 8/26/2010 | 4 | insomnia from anxiety | slow to wake as if not ready to get up, but once up felt great. main reason for taking was insomnia related to stress and non-stop thinking. worked great for 1st month but found I had to increase dosage to maintain effect over time. | I leveled off at .5mg/day and felt it had served it's short term purpose to clear my head so I could rest and begin working through issues. Dr. wanted me to go to ambien for insomnia but I refuse to take it, scared. Decided to stop ativan and had about 3 days of withdrawl including aching joints and muscles (similar to the flu), pounding heartbeat/high blood pressure, increased body temp, sharp headaches, abdominal cramps, diarreah, inability to stay asleep. I intended to take it only for stressful episodes but was so happy with being able to relax and sleep it became a nightly routine. I'll now just keep it on hand for occasional use to relieve only the extreme events. Used wisely I think this drug is very helpful, but abused I have experienced what could turn into total hell as your dose and duration increase. | M | 40 | 7 weeks 0.5-1.0 1X D | 8/22/2010 | 1 | insomnia. | abnorm bruxism, impaired speech. | the worst BZD to treat insomnia because of its side effects. horrible drug. | M | 24 | 2 days 1 mg 1X D | 8/12/2010 | 4 | anxiety | No side effects. Works like a charm. | F | 46 | 1 years 10mg 1X AN | 8/10/2010 | 1 | anxiety and insomnia | Initially I thought this was manna from heaven. In fact I have thought that until last year when I learned it is a cause of cognitive impairment...a slowing of mental function. There I was, building my career, when things starting going downhill. I began to notice I couldn't concentrate and couldn't perform at work so well anymore. Then I started getting negative feedback at work. My performance reviews were about some other person I did not recognize. My personality changed. I became emotional at every little thing. I took things personally. I got paranoid. My stress increased, my blood pressure went up. I gained weight. I felt sick all the time. I finally had to quit my job...in shame...and have since lost my home, my income, even my ability to carry on an intelligent conversation about things on which I used to be an expert. This drug has destroyed my life. I am currently using cannabis (strong indica, which is relaxing) to help me relax so I can sleep. My plan is to get to where I | When I expressed my concerns to my DOCTOR about my "addiction" to ativan, he seemed unconcerned and told me it was safe. He also corrected me and explained I wasn't addicted; I just had a dependency. Well, regardless, I don't want to be dependent on ANY drug. And that includes cannabis. (But it's a good workaround!) | F | 59 | 12 years 1 mg 1X D | 7/26/2010 | 1 | insomnia | It worked great for me until recently. I slept really well and felt good as a result. In the last month I have steadily been getting diarrhea. Two weeks ago I had an irratic heart beat for 4 hours. I think it is the Ativan. I got an irregular heart beat from cold decongestant medicine and the "horse linement" I got from the health food store. I took a sleep med called Sonitta or something of the sort at one point----it worked until I started getting diarrhea from it. | I quit taking it Sunday cold turkey after a day with 3 bouts of diarrhea and a really "green" feeling of a day. It is day 3 without the Ativan. I feel dizzy and weak. My thoughts are just a little confused. My appetite is down. Sleep is restless but better than the first night without. I don't think that Ativan is worth taking for insomnia. | F | 48 | 1.5 years .5 mg 1X D | 7/21/2010 | 3 | Adult on-set Cervical Dystonia | Walking,Pharmaceutical junkie. Lights on but no one home. Fell asleep driving home from work. I was very self-absorbed, I had nothing to offer via conversation except my own medical woes. Oh & I lost my appetite which made me gradually lose weight to the point I looked Anorexic. | My Cervical Dystonia hit me like a ton of bricks July of 2004. I felt funny in my neck area starting in January 2004, 6 months prior to full blown Dystonia. I ended up in Emergency where I was diagnosed by a Neurologist who had me doing various tests to get more data. I wasn't able to see a Neurologist who specialized in Movement Disorders for awhile so while I waited, my family Doc. prescribed me Flexeril (20mg 3x/day)& Ativan (2mg 3x/day). I was on Ativan for 6 years @ that dosage. Last year I managed to cycle that down to 1mg 3x/day & recently I've lowered it again to .5mg/.5mg/1mg per day. I must say I can't believe the difference. It's like coming out of a fog. The withdrawls have quite a few of the same side effects of Ativan, but I have some withdrawls that are worse. Like abdomen dystension, I look pregnant!! It's horrible. I look at food & my stomach automatically goes to "auto-pilot". I have terrible grinding and clenching issues & my teeth are becoming an unwilling casuality. I hate this drug & I can't wait to be done with it. | F | 38 | 6 years 60 mg/day 6X D | 7/19/2010 | 1 | Prescribed for laser procedure | Memory loss. Sleepiness. | I was prescribed 4 mg of Ativan prior to a laser treatment I received from my dermatologist. I have never taken a medication for anxiety, and do not suffer from anxiety. Apparently, it is standard procedure for this dermatologist to prescribe the anxiety reducing drug prior to laser treatment. I was informed I should not drive home, but not informed of the impairment I would suffer for nearly 24 hours after taking it. Anyone taking this medication, even if just for a one time treatment, should be aware that they should not be left alone! The day after taking the drug I found that I had multiple conversations with people that I could not even recall, at all. I apparently decided to take a bath, fell in the tub and my husband came home to find me this way. We had no idea that I'd respond so severely to the effects. What could have stopped me from getting my car keys and driving to the store? I'm sure if it had crossed my impaired mind, I would have done so. Scary! If you or someone you love is taking this medication, please be aware that it can have strong effects and direct supervision is advised. | F | 48 | 1 days 4 mg 1X D | 7/10/2010 | 1 | akathisia from trazodone/restoril | HORRENDOUS--BRAIN SLOWNESS/DRUNKENNESS/CAN'T CONCENTRATE/EVERY LITTLE THING IS OVERWHELMING/PHOTOPHOBIA/CAN'T FOCUS EYES/ DARTING EYES | Was given ativan when desperate because trazodone literally made me feel like I wanted to drive off a cliff and I've never been suicidal! have been tapering off the ativan for months now and the withdrawal effects are an absolute nightmare--all of a sudden I am mentally retarded, unsteady, dizzy, can't focus, can't work, can't drive, can barely see, anything that moves in my field of vision is dizzying. DO NOT THINK FOR A MINUTE YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS FOR MORE THAN A WEEK--Please listen to me because I was a very successful professional and now I can't get off my couch. Have connected with many other withdrawal sufferers--don't think you will be exempt--the horror of withdrawal is 10 times worse than anything you could face that would make you desperate enough to take this. Don't listen to the doctor who will tell you it's no big deal. | F | 44 | 7 months 1 mg. 4X D | 7/7/2010 | 1 | Anxiety | Ativan is one of the most problematic benzodiazepines. I became addicted in 1975 and could not discontinue due to the horrific withdrawal symptoms. I finally managed to withdraw completely this year using a Diazepam taper as recommended in the Ashton manual. I have now been benzo free for 4 months and feel 100% better but still have many withdrawal symptoms some of which I believe may last longer than I anticipated. I now campaign in the UK in order to help others addicted to benzodiazepines. | Ativan, made initially by John Wyeth and Brother Ltd, is one of the most addictive benzos and has been shown to cause epileptic seizures on withdrawal from therapeutic doses after as little as 3 weeks ingestion. It has also been shown to cause up to 200 side effects and withdrawal symptoms. If you are on it then look up the Ashton manual online for advice and information regarding discontinuation. | M | 55 | 35 years 1mg 1X D | 7/1/2010 | 5 | Anxiety, Panick Attacks | Slowed reaction time, possibly addictive | This medicine has helped prevent anxiety and panic attacks for me or to calm me down when experiencing anxiety. Only take as needed or when I think I might get anxious. Works immediately. Would highly recommend for anyone going through difficult situations or anyone with any form of adjustment disorder, dealing with sickness of self or family members, or depressive episodes. | F | 24 | 2 months .5 to 1 mg 1X AN | 6/30/2010 | 5 | pelvic floor muscle spasms | Some agression | F | 35 | 2 years .5 - 1 mg 1X D | 6/29/2010 | 4 | Anxiety, insomnia from flagyl | Good sleeping aid, esp in hospital settings, but a real som-amnesiac, (can't remember dream one). | Probably need to taper dose off w. GABA supplements | M | 51 | 2 months 2mg 1X D | 6/18/2010 | 4 | Dizziness, Depersonalization | Acid Reflux, Sleepiness, Mild Headache & Anxiety. | Ativan is something that really gets me through the bad moments. I really wish that I could have been introduced to this medication a lot sooner. Anyways besides that Acid Reflux (which might be caused from smoking while taking this drug) and the Sleepiness I really like the way this drug works. | M | 21 | 8 months 0.5 3X M | 6/9/2010 | 1 | anxiety | dry mouth, drowsiness, insommnia, impaired gait and falling, paranoid behaviours, addiction, urinary incontinence, poor judgement skills | My 80 year old father is on this drug. I have been a hospital nurse for many years and am aware of the uses for ativan. It is usually meant for short term use and in controlled setting, and NOT for the elderly! I have been trying for years to get him off. Last year he began to fall quite a bit and I worked with a pharmacist friend to wean him down. He had been taking 1 mg, 4 to 5 times a day. I had NO cooperation from his family doctor. Not surprising. My father was also not pleased, but since at this point I was picking up and dispensing his meds and bringing them to his home, he had no choice but to take what I gave. He has now been in hospital for a week after another fall. He can hardly walk and is extremely paranoid. His doctor has now agreed to wean him off onto something else, with my insistence, and, under recommendations from our pharamacist. If the doctor does not follow through I will go to our Chief of Staff. Unbelieveable. My father made this decision years ago to take something for his anxiety, and now I am left picking up the pieces...... With God's help, we WILl perservere!!!!!!!!. | F | 54 | 5 years 1 mg 3X D | 6/2/2010 | 1 | panic attacks, anxiety | tired, memory problems. during detox: psychosis, electric shocks. | Bad bad bad. It has taken 8 years of my life. Went through detox, which was absolutely horrible. When I took this drug for the first time, I thought that it was going to save me from feeling miserable. Well, in the long run, it really doesn't. | M | 28 | 8 years 3-4 mg 2X D | 6/1/2010 | 3 | anxiety | Profound depression, constant thoughts of suicide, heaviness in my limbs, sleepiness- could sleep around the clock if allowed. Rebound anxiety. | Ativan works beautifully on my aniety. I feel relaxed and pleasant after taking one. It's the after effects that are awful. Deep,deep depression that effects every aspect of my being. I'm currently suicidal, as I type this, and know it's because I took ativan twice yesterday. I wouldn't care if I got run over by a bus. Becase of the rebound anxiety (a jittery over-caffienated feeling) I often feel the need to take another dose. So you see the viscious cycle. | F | 37 | 2 years .5 MG PRN 2X D | 5/26/2010 | 3 | Anxiety | None | Ok...first of all...I really liked my ativan and what it did for me...I first began taking it approx 3 to 4 years ago for anxiety which was something that I had never experienced until then. It did wonders for the shakes and anxiety. It even helped me rest better. For the most part I only take it at night before bed unless I have an attack during the day which is very rare. I would sometimes even skip my dosage at night because I began taking ambien for insomnia. Ive noticed if I go a few days without taking it I become extremely irritable (complete B****) and wake up with anxiety attacks. I believe it has ruined my relationship...this weekend was horrible and I do believe that for the first time I realized that was I was going thru was withdrawals from not taking it for 3 days. I almost came unglued last night...and for some reason now if I dont take it...the ambien doesnt work maybe because the anxiety is too much! I havent slept in two days...LITERALLY! And today Im a wreck at work...I refuse to take the medicine at this point because of how Im feeling...I dont like this...Ive never done drugs and this is much like what I assume drug attacks feel like once they go cold turkey! Im not going to report it to my doctor just yet because believe it or not I feel like I really need to take it and I fear she will take me off of it...am I crazy or is this the lack of meds talking? At this point Im not sure but I know right now I feel like I need it just to function since Ive | F | 37 | 3 years 1 mg 2X D | 5/17/2010 | 5 | Anxiety, Sleep disordersr | blurred vision when exceed 1.5mg dose, blurred vision above this dose did go away after a couple of days | This has been a wonder drug for me. If you take these drugs, one thing you should try is to keep a dose on you. In your wallet, or purse, you'll be amazed how often you DON'T take it. Just knowing it's there is enough. Remember it takes about 3 to 4 days for this drug to get out of your system. I try to never, ever, take it more than twice a week. I noticed that if I don't take it more than twice a week, I never have withdrawl symptoms. I usually take it before speaking engagements, or just really stressful days, or when i need to go to sleep. This medication is like any other drug, its great at what it does, just don't abuse it. I've never tried the taking it every day, and I hope I never have to. | M | 32 | 8 years 1 to 1.5mg 1X D | 5/12/2010 | 5 | Panic attacks | None. Just helps me calm down. Relaxes me. | My dr. prescribed this because I started having a few panic attacks related to my husband and son's deployment to Iraq. I have taken 5 pills in the two months I've had the prescription. I really try to avoid taking them, but when i start shaking and crying for no reason, they have really helped calm me down. I have never taken more than 1 pill in a day, 1 to get me thru the inital panic lets me calm down and deal rationally again. | F | 37 | 2 months 0.5 mg 1X AN | 4/26/2010 | 4 | Anxiety | Sleepiness & Lack of Concentration | I've been taking Ativan (1 mg 3X/day)for 5 years. I was previously on Xanax (2 mg 3X/day) and it stopped helping so my doctor switched me to Ativan and it has done wonders ever since. It helped with the anxiety and allowed me to sleep better at night. I did not experience too many side effects...just sleepiness and occasional lack of concentration. I recently decided that I do not want to take it anymore because my husband and I would like to have a baby in the near future. I decided to wean myself off of ativan 3 weeks ago. I started by taking just 1 mg/day for the first week, then dropped to .5 mg/day for 3 days, then down to .25 mg 1X/day and then .25 every 2 days. I stopped one week ago. I went to my dr. because I was worried about the withdrawal symptoms. He put me on Celexa (10 mg 2-3X/day). The first few days I felt very anxious, very sensitive to noises and light, weakness, insomnia, heart palpitations, shakiness and restless legs. I am on day 7 and much of this has gone away. The Celexa has helped quite a bit. Overall it really wasn't that bad. I feel so much better now. I have more energy during the day and feel good overall. After reading other peoples' comments, I thought that sharing my experience would help others who are trying to stop taking it to be encouraged vs. deterred by the bad experiences. I hope this helps and good luck! | F | 29 | 5 years 3X D | 4/7/2010 | 3 | anxiety, insomnia, racing thoughts | Works well for anxiety; it took away my anxiety at night so I could sleep, but made me out of it during the day if I took it before bedtime. | This drug was extremely addictive for me. Maybe it's b/c it lasts only a few hours and on some days I felt the need to take 2 or 3 when I was only supposed to be taking it for sleep at night. I got to the point where I could not function without it. Quit cold turkey and felt horrible and in pain for a week. Did not sleep for 1 week, so my doc prescribed Klonopin, which works MUCH better for me. It's stronger and lasts longer. I do not feel "addicted" to Klonopin like I did Ativan and I can still take a little bit during the day if I need it and function OK. | F | 26 | 4 months 0.5 mg 2X D | 4/6/2010 | 4 | anxiety | slow reaction time while driving | This has worked really well for me when I became very anxious during my mom's illness and having to move her to a long term care facility. I'm very cautious, only take half a pill as needed, which is now once a week or less. If I can't get to sleep, or wake up too early, the half a pill is good for about 3-4 hours sleep. I've experienced unexpected benefits, such as less shyness, ability to urinate in a public restroom, improvement in foreign language fluency, and more social confidence in general. It made me realize I'd been experiencing a certain constant level of anxiety my whole life. I wish I could take it all the time but don't dare to, just when I need a little "vacation." | M | 47 | 1.5 years 1X AN | 4/5/2010 | 5 | BiPolar rapid Cycling-Panic-Anxiety | slightly groggy although not sleepy. relaxed, calming, | I have been talking .5 (1/2 a MG)twice a day to prevent or control rapid thoughts, anxiety, crying spells, catastrophising.. It has helped me calm down when needed. Klonopin does not agree with me at all.. My doctor is now trying me on Xanax XR which I thinkis a good switch for now. I would use ativan again, I just think it's pooped out on me or I have gotten tolerant and it is not working the same.. | F | 40 | 1 years 0.5 2X D | 4/4/2010 | 4 | Bipolar Disorder-Aggitation-Anxiety | Calming, euphoric, dizziness, very comfortable, sleepy, vision disturbance, | Works quickly and even quicker if left to absorb under the tongue. I am supposed to take 1/2 mg 2 x a day whi I rarely have to. But, This drug is great to have on hand for Bipoars in mixed states to calm anxiety and increase resistance to irrational thinking and ideas. | F | 40 | 5 years 1 2X D | 3/27/2010 | 1 | Depression | My son has been dealing with depression for almost a year and this medication has done nothing but harm him. Our family has had nothing but pain behind this medication. I don't recommend this medication to anyone! | F | 44 | 4 months .05MG 1X D | 3/27/2010 | 1 | anxiety | Completely screwed up my body. Brain fog, achy joints, nausea, loss of weight, lack of sleep, heart palpitations. This drug did not act as a sedative for me, it did the opposite. | This drug is extremely dangerous. After starting ativan i came down with my stated side effects. Never been sick in 57 years. When I tried to stop taking ativan, it triggered physical side effects (just like an illegal street drug user would have - fever, tingling sensations, mind fog, sweating, muscle cramps). The first attempt to get off this drug, I justed stop taking it. 3 days later withdrawal symptoms triggered. On second attempt, i took 1 week to come off dosage. 4 days later i had major withdrawal symptoms. My body had become physically addicted to this drug. I never took any drugs my whole life even though i used less than 90 days and took only .75 mg a day. At this point in time, i did research on the Internet. The sites clearly showed how addictive Ativan is. My doctor didn't emphasize this addictiveness. The sites pointed towards changing diet to a Mediterranean diet and adding supplements to help ease the withdrawal symptoms. After starting these changes, i called a psychiatrist, (doctor dealing with drug addiction). She told me to wean off the drug over 4 weeks with each week taking 25% less dosage. I did as she said and was able to come of the drug cleanly. She told me she had clients who took up to a year to get off of some of these prescription anxiety drugs. Moral of the story, if at any time one gets side effects from prescription drugs, stop taking it. I never gave it a thought that one could get sick after stopping taking a drug!!! | M | 57 | 90 days .75 mg 1X D | 3/25/2010 | 2 | Anxiety Disorder(s) | Headaches that I attribute to the new medication because I did not get them until I started taking the Ativan and get a headache each time I take it | I was taking Xanax for ten years. It worked like a charm. Then about 6 months ago it stopped working for me. Shrink said I may have become "sensitized" to the Xanax - he says that can happen with benzos. The Ativan is doing absolutely nothing for me. | M | 61 | 28 days 2MG 2X D | 3/24/2010 | 5 | for sleep | I felt a little sleepy when i first started taking ativan, But now I have no side effects to report. | In my opinion this is a mild relaxant that would work well for alot of people. | F | 49 | 5 years .05 1X D | 3/19/2010 | 4 | Severe Anxiety & tension state | No adverse effects | After 3 years of having Ativan keep the anxiety & aggression in check, doc office staff decided I was using it too much and cut me off. Doc told me if I need it more than 3 times a week he wants me on Paxil...HUH? I never abused it, I never sought it from other doctors. Without warning, without a call to discuss it-he cut me off. The aggression and anxiety have returned with a vengeance. The verbal fights with family & loved ones has torn relations apart and cost me a couple of friendships. Why did this ASS &*^E do this to me? I had 3 good years on it, now he ripped it out from under me. I am pretty much non-functional now. VERY short temper, very destructive. I went to this doc for help & he's made me more of a mess than when I started out. DO NOT let a GP give you benzos-they don't know what they're doing & it's not pleasant when they say NO MORE with no warning. A psychiatrist should be the ONLY one with the authority to prescribe these. I was honest, I was responsible and I got kicked in the teeth for it. Now I need to find a psychiatrist to put me back on it and I'm scared to death I'm going to be made to suffer. Why would they withhold a med that allowed you to be functional? I've not left my house since being abruptly taken off it, 3 months ago. | M | 41 | 3 years 1.5 MG 1X AN | 3/12/2010 | 4 | anxiety | drowsiness and 'pill hangover' type feeling. not being able to wake up after falling asleep from taking ativan. | i like how quickly it works and that it has worked for my anxiety attacks effectively in the past. i have taken it on and off for ten years. | M | 33 | 3 months 1mg 1X AN | 2/14/2010 | 4 | social anxiety | none | works great helps calm me down and i can go about my daily life without having these thoughts about how nervous i will get in certain situations i am able to focus better on the tasks at hand i also take 50 mg zoloft once a day and these 2 drugs work pretty good in conjunction with each other | M | 21 | 2 months .5mg 1X AN | 2/6/2010 | 5 | Anxiety | sleepiness | I take ativan before bed because it makes me very sleepy. Other than that no side effects. this is a great medication. less addictive than xanax. | F | 27 | 1 years 1mg 1X AN | 2/4/2010 | 1 | reaction to Celexa, akathisia | Too many to list, but three years on and then after a slow taper (if you are tapering please see the Ashton manual, it could save your life) I have: severe memory impairment, both short and longterm memory (I can't remember what someone has said to me within minutes of them speaking, can't remember names of common objects, can't remember proper grammar, etc...); severe balance issues--I can barely walk; severe eye issues--my eyes appear to be permanently out of focus, I see blue lights, they twitch and blur a lot; restless legs; severe caffeinated feeling; I can no longer reason properly or understand even simple ideas a lot of the time; can't read, words appear to move on their own; hair loss; really bad dry skin; feet/hands/body will twitch/move without my control; involuntary swallowing; low vit. D; legs feel like they are made of lead, depersonalization; derealization; obsessive thoughts; profound dysphoria, etc... | I can't possibly list all of the issues this drug caused. This drug destroyed my life and my family. If you have a script for it BE AWARE THAT TWO WEEKS OF CONTINUOUS USE IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE AN ADDICTION THAT IS HARDER TO TREAT THAN HEROINE ADDICTION. BE AWARE THAT THIS DRUG CAN RENDER YOU SENSITIVE TO A WHOLE SPECTRUM OF MEDICATIONS, AND FOR SOME EVEN SUPPLEMENTS AND FOODS LIKE SUGAR AND CAFFEINE. BE AWARE THAT SOME PEOPLE SUFFER PERMANENT EFFECTS FROM USE/WITHDRAWAL OVER AN ABOVE THEIR ORIGINAL PROBLEM; THIS INCLUDES PERMANENT MOVEMENT DISORDERS LIKE TARDIVE DYSKINESIA AND AKATHISIA. BE AWARE THAT MOST DOCTORS WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE EXTENT OF THE INJURIES THESE DRUGS CAN CAUSE SO BE PREPARED TO DO YOUR OWN MEDICAL RESEARCH IF YOU BECOME DISABLED BY THIS DRUG. ALSO BE PREPARED TO BE INVALIDATED BY FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHEN YOU TRY TO EXPLAIN WHAT THE DRUG HAS DONE TO YOU. Many people have lost their families, homes, jobs and dreams to inadvertent addictions. | F | 32 | 3 years | 1/30/2010 | 4 | anxiety and panic atacks | I have only taken a few. 0.5 is my prescribed dosage. I was told if i felt a bad panic attack coming on to take it then. I have always been afraid to take anything, even after my surgeries i put up with the pain. I just never liked the feeling of being doped up. this so far just made me feel relaxed. I read a lot of posts about medicines and the most confusing thing to me is, if you have such bad experiences with a drug, why do you continue to take it 8, 10 ,12 years? there is something definitely wrong somewhere if your doctor continues you on it or you would listen to a doctor who would leave you on a med, that caused that much trouble for you. makes no sense whatsoever. I have been tried on several anxiety medicines and some helped for a while, boy I called right away when I started to feel not right and told my doctor , I can't take this medicine because it does this and this to me. she said ok I dont want you to feel like this, we will try something else until we find one | I am not planning on taking this everyday, like some post I read. I take lexapro and it helps with the general anxiety so far. I do have scary panic attacks sometimes during certain times of the month. the same as it has been for 10 years | F | 47 | 2 weeks | 1/24/2010 | 5 | anxiety | i feel like im on uh tropical vacation every day | its awesome! the best! my computer could get stolen from the little guys in my closet and i proly wouldnt even care....ahhhhhhhhh | M | 30 | 8 years | 1/23/2010 | 5 | General Anxiety Disorder | More than 2 mg is definitely mentally dulling | Have used this drug in varying dosages for 25 years. Dependency not a problem if keep daily dose under about 2 mg. Really bad withdrawal if you let your daily dose get up to 6 or 8 mg. Very versatile and reliable drug once you learn how to use it wisely. properly. Very calming with relatively little sedation. | M | 52 | 25 years | 1/14/2010 | 5 | Anxiety | None... | I do sometimes wonder if I have an addiction to it...however...without it I would not be a useful member of society. I suffer from day long anxiety. With severe attacks...whenever they decide to happen. without ativan I would not leave the house! I have used it on and off for 4 years. Over the past year...I use it probably 4 times a week..but now that my anxiety has gotten really bad..I find I use it once a day.... | F | 40 | 4 days | 1/14/2010 | 2 | Sleep | Ativan agitated me at night, would not let me sleep and then I woke up with a drugged hang-over. Drugged throughout the rest of the day and passed out cold for three hours from 3pm until 6pm. Woke up feeling like a had a terrible flu with stomach aches, nausea, etc. | I have taken Klonopin for years and am at 4mg. That works better for me. My husband also takes Ativan at night and it did and does make him sleep. SO, each medication works very differently on each person. But Ativan is not for me. | F | 48 | 3 days | 12/28/2009 | 1 | Anxiety Attacks | EXTREMELY ADDICTIVE DRUG ! | I took this Rechid Medication for 12 ( Twelve ) Years due to having bad anxiety attacks from caring for an ill family member. I was on 4 mg's daily. Doctor asked did it still help me ? I said No. So I was weaned off it over a period of 5 months. I have been Free from this Nightmare for about 10 months now. Don't take this Drug ! It will HOOK you , hook , line and sinker till you Crave the stuff. | F | 52 | 12 years | 12/18/2009 | 5 | Anxiety disorder & panic attacks. | Can't think of any. | Take .5 mg 1-3x/day & it works great. Takes away feeling of panic & makes me calm so I can think rationally instead of worse case scenario. Doesn't make me drowsy, yet I sleep better maybe because I'm not all hyper and nervous. Ativan + Zoloft combo totally quells the anxious, panicy feeling I get over even little problems. | F | 41 | 7 months | 12/8/2009 | 5 | anxiety, insomnia | slightly "hungover" | This medication has helped me tremendously. I have had issues in the past of becoming dependent on other anti-anxiety meds and have not become dependent on this. It is just enough to take the edge off but not make me feel too out of it. I take .5mg or 1mg. It is very helpful for sleeplessness, however, if I take 1mg I tend to feel hungover in the morning. | F | 29 | 1 years | 12/4/2009 | 1 | occasional insomnia | drowsy, hang over, irritable, GERD, body pain, head aches, memory loss, reduced cognative function | I took 1 -2 mg of ativan 2 times a week for 8 months, and I took 5 mg valium 2 times a week for several years before bed only to help sleep. They worked great at first, but tolerence developed and they became less effective. I decided to take a break and 4 days later I had severe shortness of breath while at rest out of the blue! I thought I was having an asthma attack and was going to die! I started having really hellish thoughts/visions at night that caused extreme anxiety and the feeling of being shocked. I took 1 mg of ativan , and I felt better after an hour or two. Started a Valium taper (ashton method) the next day. I am down 20% after 5 weeks and it is rough, but I am feeling better and am very hopeful I can recover from these evil benzos. I have some minor anxiety as I taper but I stablize after a few days and move down my dose again. Slow and steady wins the race! Ativan is a medicine from hell for long term use. Ativan is very powerful and addictive- do not get off cold turkey!!!!! | M | 49 | 8 months | 11/22/2009 | 4 | Panic Attacks and Anger | Drowsy when I take too much, can't take it at work or before I'm about to do homework because I can't concentrate as well | Doctor gave me Ativan for my panic attacks and for my anger which is non responsive to bipolar drugs and antidepressants of any kind. I only take this about once every two weeks, on a very "as needed" basis, I can see how the drug could ruin your life if you became addicted and I can definitely see a potential for addiction with the drug. I would never take this on a day to day basis... I would be completely useless, failing college and have no job! For me and my cause, the drug works well. | F | 23 | 1.5 years | 10/22/2009 | 5 | anxiety | none | great for anxiety, but though i take it may be once a month, even after 4 years i think i've built tolerance to it and it doesn't help as much any it used to be. | F | 24 | 4 years | 10/5/2009 | 5 | Severe Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia | No negative side effects. Does it's job. By the way...I take 2mg po tid. Sometimes I take 4mg po tid. It's VERY VERY safe. | I read these reviews & I'm beginning not 2 like this site. Just bc something doesn't work 4 u u shouldn't discourage other people from trying it. Every1 is different. I read a post where 1 person said she was allergic 2 valium & was given ativan instead & had an allergic reaction 2 that bc they r in the same family. But, guess what? I'm allergic 2 klonopin & take Ativan. The begging & pleading of people on here 2 get people 2 not try a med is pathetic & can be detrimental 2 1's health. Ur Dr obviously thinks a certain drug will work & outweighs the benefits & risks. Yes some may have side effects but, u have 2 try it 2 know. This med is EXTREMELY safe, save 4 the ones allergic 2 it. Overdosage is almost impossible & hospitals use it 4 just about EVERYTHING. Trust me I know. I'm a Med student. One KID got over 100mg & was fine. It calms U down however, it has no effect directly on ur cardiovascular or respitory systems. And it DOES stop racing thoughts. After 5 years of SEVERE panic attacks 2 the point of calling an ambulance twice a day EVERY day, it is the ONLY drug that does that. Ativan is a miracle drug. Shame on any1 who tries 2 deter u from help. If u can't take it fine...Move on 2 something else...Don't scare people off of meds. U r NOT a DR & know nothing about any1 else or their medical history.U just have 2 keep trying different meds 2 find out which 1 is 4 u & the 1s that r not 4 U doesn't mean they r not 4 some1 else | F | 29 | 5 years | 10/3/2009 | 5 | anxiety | none | This has been a very helpful medicine for me. I only take occasionally (.5mg) on very bad days and use in conjunction with my Paxil cr 12.5mg. Takes a good 30 minutes before you get the effects, but well worth the wait..imo.. | M | 35 | 2 years | 9/19/2009 | 5 | anxiety/sleep | none whatsoever,,except some drowsiness if taken enough | this drug is very safe and effective! i have known many people over the years who have taken ativan and not one has had a bad side effect. i only wish they would make a 24 hr release tablet of it! | M | 36 | 2 years | 9/8/2009 | 1 | anxiety | Itching. I itched all over my entire body. I would have to take 2 Benadryl to calm the itching so I wouldn't loose my mind. It was as bad as if I had been rolling in insalation (and I have). | I don't want any more! | F | 40 | 2 months | 9/4/2009 | 1 | Insomnia; Anxiety | My father was given Ativan during his chemo and radiation treatments to help him relax and sleep. Ativan changed his personality.....he was in a stupor when he took it and would go into a drugged sleep......he became very depressed...had hallucinations....HAD SEVERE WITHDRAWAL EFFECTS....became suicidal....and died from a shot gun wound to his head. It killed him. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG!!!!!!!!!! | This drug is NOT safe! It will alter your personality. If you have depression, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts....discontinue as soon as possible! Get Help! | F | 48 | 4 weeks | 9/3/2009 | 5 | anxiety | none | after years of stress induced panic attacks that made a public life all but impossible, and after using several other meds that did nothing to help, Ativan has literally been a life saver for me. Not that it kept me from death, but I sometimes felt as though I might as well be dead because I had no life. I know it doesn't work for everybody, but it has changed my life dramatically. | M | 58 | 20 years | 8/26/2009 | 5 | Insomnia | Almost no side effects | While Ambien (5 mg) could not help me to sleep just after my surgery, I started to take Ativan (0.5 mg)every night for about two months. During that two months period, Ativan really help me fall into sleep. I switched back to Ambien after two months recovery. | M | 2 months | 8/18/2009 | 4 | anxiety and insomnia | drowsiness (this was desireable at night). otherwise no side effects that i know of. | I love this medication! With my anxiety I would like to take more often if it would continue to work the same but just take on a PRN basis. | M | 37 | 4 years | 8/18/2009 | 1 | anxiety | Confusion,disorientation,felt like i was on my own planet,dry mouth, real bad insomnia when I got off it. | I would stay away from this drug..the side effects are terrible. They need to do more research on this drug. | M | 33 | 8 days | 8/5/2009 | 1 | Vertigo | Severe Headaches,numbness, dissoriented, short term memory loss | I was prescribed this drug in the ER. I specifically told them that I could not take Valium, so they gave me Ativan....(SAME FAMILY AS VALIUM), which I found out later on. I tried to ween off of this drug 2 times and failed. The doctors advice was to go back on a comfortable dose and try again. Now I have only been off of it for 5 days it I am MISERABLE. I cant function like this. A drug that interferes with your brain FUNCTION can not be a good thing. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG !!!! PLEASE !!!! If you do or you have no options please do research prior please. | F | 41 | 3 months | 8/2/2009 | 5 | SEVERE PANIC DISORDER | CALMNESS, MILD DROWSINESS, COMPLETELY RELAXED | LOVE THIS DRUG!!! I TAKE ONLY AS NEEDED, EVERY SO OFTEN. I HAVE HEARD THAT SOME USERS GO THROUGH WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS BUT THEY ARE PROBABLY USING THIS DRUG TOO OFTEN! USE ONLY AS NEEDED, NOT EVERYDAY!!! THIS DRUG HAS WORKED AWESOME FOR ME AND WOULD RECOMMEND IT WITHOUT HESITATING. WORKS QUICKLY AND MAKES YOU FEEL GREAT! STOPS RACING THOUGHTS, CALMS ME DOWN, AND I FEEL TOTALLY RELAXED, BETTER THAN A 2 HOUR FULL BODY MASSAGE!!!!! | F | 32 | 4 years | 7/21/2009 | 1 | Severe Anxiety | Severe depersonalization, felt like I was standing on a moving floor even when I haven't had a pill, depression, crying outbursts. | Absolutely disgraceful. I have been on it for 6 months and I am very addicted. If I didn't have the depersonalization I think I could get off it quicker, but because it causes that, then I take some to get rid of it it's a vicious cycle. STAY AWAY FROM IT! | F | 28 | 6 months | 7/18/2009 | 2 | anxiety | none | 190lb - barely touched by 1mg in high stress times. Im guessing 3-4mg is going to work for really manic times or act as hypnotic (knock me out). ambien is my hypnotic choice when melatonin doesnt work. | M | 44 | 4 years | 7/6/2009 | 1 | insomnia | I would take .25 mg per night to get to sleep and the next day would feel depressed, achy, and queazy. It worked to get me to sleep, but the side effects are not worth it. | This drug carries a warning on the label that it's NOT to be used long term, ie, not for more than 2 weeks. Since taking it, I've developed restless leg syndrome, due to the dopamine-depleting effects of this drug. DON'T TAKE IT. | F | 42 | 2 months | 6/29/2009 |