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 | | | | |||
| 1 | For insomnia | This did not help my insomnia at all. I started out at .5mg and ended up building a tolerance to it. It is very physically addictive. I went from .5mg to 2.5mg in a period of a few months. Even at the higher dose, it did nothing to help my insomnia. Withdrawal was not easy, even on a gradual taper, since it has a very short half life. I had severe stomach cramps, ringing in the ears, and night sweats as the taper progressed downward. I've been off Ativan for 7 weeks now and am still having tinnitus and night sweats. Be aware that it should only be taken short term for sleep disorders. Apparently my doctor wasn't aware of that. I've found Valium to be much more effective, and the long half life makes it easier to taper off. | I wouldn't take this drug again. | F | 4 months | 10/17/2008 | 5 | severe anxiety | only occasional sweating and flushing | I was taking .5 mgs. twice a day, and then recently my 25 year old brother died and dr. said I could take three a day. This drug has allowed me to calm myself and focus. During grief it has allowed me to not cry continually. When I am feeling more in control, I do not take all doses, or skip it all together. I have no problems with this, and suffer no addictive or withdrawal problem. I do take this in conjuction with Effexor. | F | 37 | 6 months | 10/8/2008 | 1 | anxiety/depression | BE CAREFUL!! I am going into my second week in the hospital, psychiatric ward, for an agressive taper off of ativan...that says a lot | Please please be careful with this med....I always saw myself as a very bright together take care of everything person and now, here I am...with sweats, trouble talking at times, memory very bad, anxiety bouts as I can never remember, and all because I found a Dr that didn't mind prescibing it almost as much as I wanted it, I was up to 10 plus mg,s a day but it just wasn't working as it use to...suicidal thoughts were high, hence my asking my mom and son to take me in because the last thing I wanted to do was hurt my family but I could no longer cope...in reading other posts I see that I got myself pretty darn in doses compared to some and the side effects and withdrawel symptoms were/are enormous...but I'll make it! | F | 47 | 3 years | 10/6/2008 | 4 | Anxiety | Panic Attacks, Insomnia, Anxiety | Be VERY careful taking this medication. It is highly addictve. If you take it long term, be weary of how you stop taking it. The withdrawls are AWFUL. | F | 42 | 10 years | 10/1/2008 | 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 | panic attack | Complete memory loss. I did not know anything for a full week, did'nt know who my husband was, who my kids were or where i lived, i still dont remember that week people just tell me about how much i scared them, it was like one minute i was there and the next minute i was gone! | I know this drug works great for some people just be aware that this is a very rare but very possible side affect. This was about 5 months ago and to this day my memory is still not right...i get lost very eaisily i dont remember phone numbers and people come up to me and say they went to school with me but i dont know them i dont remember one day to the next and im only 25!!I have been to doctor after doctor and test afer test and they all say i've had the most extream allergic reaction to ativan you can have and yes while this is rare i think people have the right to know it can happen!! | F | 25 | 2 days | 9/15/2008 | 5 | GAD / Panic Attacks | None. | Love ativan. It's like taking a Tylenol for a headache. Within 20 minutes, I am less anxious and whatever was getting me all keyed up seems less intense and more manageable. The only problem is that over time, this medication begins to lose some of its effects and you have to increase your dose. So I keep it as a "fallback drug" - only to be used when the regular meds aren't working so I don't have to become increasingly dependent upon it. I have been taking this med off and on since 1996. | F | 32 | 12 years | 9/12/2008 | 4 | Severe Anxiety | I believe that this med might make me a bit sleepier at times. On the flip side, it helps me to focus so that I can "get things done." | I had anxiety every day. Sometimes several severe panic attacks in one day. My mind would just think and "re-think" about things that I had no control over. Being a single mom, I wanted to make everything "right" for my kids and I wanted them to be happy/content. I worked myself into an emotional tizzy with worry. I constantly felt bad/guilty about things that I really had no control over. I would continually try to think of how I could "fix" things. I believe this medication calms my mind down and helps me to realize that there are things that I can help fix in life and some things I just have to either let go of or accept the way things are at this time. Because my anxiety has been cut by atleast 75%, I now can say to myself, "things will be o.k. and will all work out in the end. Doctor/Nurse said it was safe to take a very low dose every day until I can work through some things. I am not worried about addiction, but I was worried about loosing my m | F | 48 | 7 days | 9/5/2008 | 5 | Anxiety and panic | Drowsiness if I take too much, but I've learned what dose is right for me. | I use Ativan sparingly because I worry about tolerance and addiction, but when I do use it, it helps tremendously. It has really reduced the suffering in my life, which can be extreme at times because of anxiety. It makes me feel calm, but not drugged, weird, or loopy (at my prescribed dose). | F | 27 | 1 years | 9/3/2008 | 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 | 4 | chronic vertigo | sleepiness | Definitely helped with vertigo problem at .5 mg twice a day. Traditional vertigo meds didn't work. Stopping ativan brought on headaches, vertigo, dizziness, nausea, anxiety. | M | 51 | 14 months | 8/26/2008 | 1 | anxiety | tolerance, needed to take more, this drug is HIGHLY addictive. It ruined my life. | 52 | M | 3 years | 8/19/2008 | 5 | Anxiety/Panic Disorder | I been on ativan/Lorazepam which is the generic version of ativan. I been taking 4 mg's a day 2 when i wake up 2 when i go to bed. side EFFECTS : short term memory loss, pains in heart not saying the drugs doesnt work but its very addicting if taken to much wouldnt recomend upgrading/downloading the dose without medical advise | I started a anxiety/ panic disorder charity if u need help u can visit www.usanxietystressnetwork.org good luck everyone | M | 33 | 5 years | 8/6/2008 | 3 | Panic | anxiety for 4 days after taking 1mg | EMAIL RESPONSE WELCOME HELP NEEDED I take 1mg sublingual as needed. I get panic attacks only when riding in a car. I am losing my eyesight due to RP. I don't know anyone else with this problem of having panic attacks due to going blind. I feel that 1mg will not be enough soon. The 1mg ativan has an 80 percent success rate for me. I take the pill maybe twice a week. Can I safely go to 2mg at once twice a week without addiction? I hope someone can help. | M | 54 | 180 days | 7/30/2008 | 1 | anxiety/sleep issues | memory loss, blackouts, loss of inhibitions. I would watch the same movie 3 times because I never remembered seeing it...did things that I regret while on this med. getting off this med sucks! your body goes thru horrible withdrawal symptoms. | this drug is evil. I dont recommend taking more than recommended or boozing it up while taking. I know common sense one would think...I have had numerous blackouts from this and had to take more and more to have it work. | F | 32 | 6 months | 7/24/2008 | 1 | Anxiety | No effect, even at much higher than recommended doses; same story with Valium, Xanax, and Klonopin. If you don't notice any difference from taking benzodiazepines, you aren't alone. | M | 23 | 2 weeks | 7/22/2008 | 5 | Anxiety, Panic Attacks | None! Yippee! | AMAZING! Gave me 2mg in hospital and had best sleep ever. Now I carry the 0.5mg subligual for panic attacks and they work perfectly. Just knowing I have some with me stops more attacks than the drug itself! Honestly folks, this is the perfect drug. | M | 42 | 20 days | 7/14/2008 | 3 | Stress-related stomach pains | A little spacey | I've taken it sometimes in .1 or .5 mg doses to relieve what seem to be psychosomatic stomach pains related to anxiety and stress. It seems to work fairly well although I'm never quite sure. If I take doses over consecutive days I end up feeling a bit queasy but no big deal. | M | 43 | 3 years | 7/12/2008 | 4 | Insomnia | 90% of the time this drug works very well for me. I can actually get 5 to 7 hours of sleep. Had to increases dosage, but still find that 10% of the time, it does not help me sleep. Still, am satisfied with this drug and have experienced no side effects. | F | 60 | 7 years | 7/9/2008 | 5 | aggitation, anxiety, insomnia | none at all! | this med helped me through some horrendous anxiety! it made me feel like myself! i also was suffering from insomnia and it gave me full undisturbed sleep! it saved me from going off the deep end with all of the racing thoughts as well! im so glad i have this now for when times are rough! i dont need to take it daily anymore as the prozac i take has kicked in and helped a great deal! thank god!! | F | 25 | 1 years | 7/2/2008 | 5 | panic attacks | I have only been taking a couple of times so far, recently I went to er for a severe panic attack and they gave me 2mg and it calmed me down right away. I have been taken .5mg as needed and it seems to work so far. | I hope it works for the better, and I do not get addicted like the others have stated. | F | 30 | 2 days | 7/1/2008 | 3 | Panic Attack | None | HELP NEEDED I take 1mg sublingual as needed. I get panic attacks only when riding in a car. I am losing my eyesight due to RP. I don't know anyone else with this problem of having panic attacks due to going blind. I feel that 1mg will not be enough soon. The 1mg ativan has an 80 percent success rate for me. I take the pill maybe twice a week. Can I safely go to 2mg at once twice a week without addiction? I hope someone can help. | M | 54 | 6 months | 6/30/2008 | 5 | Anxiety | None | This medicine was a life-saver as I had a breakdown and needed to take it to control the anxiety while the SSRIs kicked in. Was taking 4 mgs a day but now only take .5 mgs (1 pill) to help with sleep and to keep the anxiety in check. All psychiatric meds have the potential for withdrawal and dependency. This one is not the devil. Just stay true to your dosage and be honest with your PDoc how you use it. It's like a hammer. You can use it to build a house or use it to bash your head in. The foundation for my house is looking good. | M | 33 | 9 months | 6/27/2008 | 3 | palpitations at nights | tinnitus | ativan worked fine for sleeping...getting tinnitus but may be the brand...am going to check on my thyroid condition to see if that is the cause of heart trying to pick up speed through palpitations (ativan stops the release of epinephrine\adrenline) to raise my blood pressure as I sleep. | F | 52 | 900 days | 6/25/2008 | 1 | Anziety | disorientation, memory lapses, loss of inhibitions, poor judgement leading to overdose. | I thought this was the miracle drug. It stopeed the anxiety attacts and I only took it as needed. Like before a social event or during an attack. It was like that for a year FOR ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ON IT FOR A YEAR oR MORE...things can still go bad and did, for me!! It can also depend on your other meds. I was on prozac aswell and for just as long. During a particually rouch time in my life I was needing the ativan more, then more, then more, I felt like I HAD TO HAVE IT to be straight. I lost about 2 weeks to a blurry world where I didn't know myself or what I was doing. Driving and not remembering all off it. Being in a place and not reconizing it later.Eventually,during a horrible anxiety attack, in my antivan-induced-confused state I took 14mg in 15 min. resulting in a trip to the ER and 3 days in the mental hospital. Needless to say they will never give me Ativan again (and switched me from prozac to effexor-PRAISE GOD!)REMEBER JUST BECAUSE IT WORKED FOR A YEAR FOR YOU DOESN'T | F | 27 | 14 months | 6/18/2008 | 5 | to stay asleep | No known side effects | I accidentally quit taking it while on vacation. I thought I had it with me and did not, but didn't realize it for 10 days. I really did not have any side effects by quitting cold turkey after taking it daily for 15 years. I was also a daily beer drinker for 30 years and quit that cold turkey, too. Lucky I guess. | M | 64 | 15 years | 6/13/2008 | 5 | Panic attacks and Bi-Polar | None.....Im hypersensitive to meds and this one is Great, take 3mg a day for the last 8 years, no increases | Not addictive, I have went a year or so inbetween the eight years I have been on this drug without it. I use to only take it when I needed it, now all the docs want me to take it 3 times a day so I don't feel the anxiety for 30 or so mins...Love this meds, it stopped the Er visits and cutting and burning and bad tempers.....all the bi-polar meds are bad.. | M | 38 | 8 years | 6/13/2008 | 5 | episodes of anxiety, insomnia | Occasional reduction of appetite if I use it more than 3 times per week. | This is a WONDERFUL drug when used responsibly! I've been taking 0.25 to 0.5 mg 1-2 times per week, before bed ONLY, if I'm too anxious to sleep. Before this drug, I had terrible bouts of insomnia that would leave me unable to function or go to work. Something would stress me out, causing intense anxiety, and then I wouldn't sleep. Then I'd start worrying about not sleeping, and this vicious cycle of anxiety/insomnia would get a hold on me. It was ruining my life! Thanks to ativan, I don't have to worry about anxiety affecting my sleep anymore, so I've stopped obsessing about it. If I am too anxious to sleep, I know I can take a pill...and just knowing I can take ativan makes me relax enough to sleep (so I often don't even need to take it). This drug has developed a terrible reputation because many people don't use it RESPONSIBLY. They take too high a dose and use it too often. I take it responsibly: low doses used only a few times a week, with breaks in between. I'm really sorry this | F | 44 | 10 years | 6/11/2008 | 5 | Anxiety and Sleep Disorder | No side effects, you want to stop taking it...taper the doses | I am a cancer survivor among other things, and have taken ativan on and off for three years, more on in the last nine months. I am having anxiety issues and am thinking about going on the lowest dose of Paxil, split in half, and going off the ativan all together. I take less then the prescribed dose of Ativan, and it helps. I know that I have to wean myself from one and half mgs a day to .75 mg and so on and so forth, SO WHAT? NEWS FLASH: any anxiety or anti depressant medication is habit forming or addicting and can not be stopped COLD TURKEY, wake up. | F | 51 | 3 years | 5/30/2008 | 5 | Mild, Intermittent Anxiety | None | I've been taking Ativan on and off for 3 years and only take 1/4 mg (1/2 of a .5!) and find that's enough. I don't want to feel euphoric, just "not anxious". Works like a charm. The most frequent I've taken it is 4 days in a row, but only one time each day. I'm one of the lucky ones; don't need it for sleep, don't need it every day. I had already done the research regarding addiction (as I do with any medication) so I use my own coping skills as much as possible to avoid any complications or need to up the dosage. I don't feel any change when I don't take it. If you start to feel high when you take it, then cut the dosage in half. My 2 cents' worth! | F | 55 | 3 years | 5/29/2008 | 5 | Hep C treatment side-effects | None. I fell in love w/ this drug. It got me through the six month Hep C treatment program, which gave me major panic attacks. I continued to take it because I felt the Hep C drugs gave me permanent side effects such as Restless Leg and leg muscle cramps, and Ativan helped relieve me of the discomforts. | After being on Ativan for 3 years without any interruptions, a new doctor is trying to ween me off with Buspar, which has been a nightmare of side effects these past 6 months- and it hasn't helped. Now I'm being weened off Buspar. I'm still taking Ativan twice a day. I see Dr on Thurs. Any advice to get off of Ativan without too much difficulty? (withdrawals) Please respond with subject-Ativan user. | F | 56 | 3 years | 5/10/2008 | 4 | insomnia, anxiety | Dry mouth. | It was prescribed for me to ease the apparent temporary insomnia I had. Prozac during the day was not enough to take the edge off, even though I felt good. Maybe I felt too good? Anyway, Ativan takes only 20-30 minutes to work, and I take just 1/2 milligram. Due to concern (mine and my doctor's) over possible dependence/tolerance, I only take it when I have a really bad night, or if I have had a few consecutive bad nights. It works faster than Klonopin, which I tried about 2 months. But it takes too long to start working (over an hour). I only wish I could feel that relaxed, all the time, on my own...Because it basically knocks me out, I can only take it at bedtime, and not during anxious times during the day. "Rebound" effect is bad if Ativan taken several days in a row. (Even worse insomnia, but it does settle back down.) | F | 46 | 6 months | 5/10/2008 | 5 | insomnia, anxiety, depression | none | This was a wonder drug for me and I slept good without waking up in the night with fears and anxiety. I have had to increase the dosage over time and the doctor is concerned and wants to switch me to xanax. | M | 76 | 5 years | 5/5/2008 | 3 | Anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia | Sleepiness (not bad if you want to sleep) foggy feeling, lapses in memory, a feeling of being drugged, being a bit "out of it." | This is a POWERFUL tranquilizer. What makes it so tricky, is that sometimes you don't even realize how much it is affecting you and your behavior. Memory problems are pretty bad if you take more than 2 mg a day. If you take more than 1 mg at at a time, you will definately have a few "grey outs" while under the influence of the pill. Yes, it relaxes the hell out of you, and helps you sleep. It slows down your mind. So, if you get those racing thoughts at night, it shuts em down. And it totally punches a hole into a "freak out anxiety attack" episode. I just don't like the feeling I am taking something this strong and addictive. I end up feeling guilty about it! I would say, use this med only for short term stints when you really are having bad, bad anxiety. Don't just take it to "chill out." That's a recipe for disaster. If you use it just once a week or so, you should be okay. DO NOT take it everyday, YOU WILL REGRET IT, and YOU WILL GET HOOKED. I take it | F | 34 | 2 weeks | 5/2/2008 | 5 | Anxiety | slight drowsiness within maybe 15-20 minutes after taking then it goes away and I feel fine. | I'm 29 and have had a prescription for Ativan/Lorazepam (generic) for about 4 years now. My script is for only .5 mg. I take it only as needed, when I know I'm going into a situation that is going to make me anxious...maybe once a week. I like how Ativan works for me, in about an hour after I take it the nervous/anxiety I get is gone and I feel like my normal self and not neurotic! I had tried a low dose of Xanax once which I actually slightly prefer more but I think its because of the slight high you get with it. I don't have an addictive personality but I had an additional boost of confidence with the Xanax...probably the "high" effect. My new Dr. wouldn't prescribe me Xanax though. She even informed me at my visit today how addictive Ativan is because of the Valium family it comes from. She would only give me 30 pills and no refills and she expects this to last me 6 months. I guess I'm glad she's proactive and watchful of what she prescribes. | F | 29 | 4 years | 5/1/2008 | 4 | depression and panic | This drug helps in the beginning, it takes edge off. BUT EXTREMELY ADDICTIVE!!! I'm shocked at the painfull withdrawl I am having to endure after only 15 days of treatment. I have been having major life changes and upsets so rather than exploding in hid from the problem and was up to 10-15 mg of it a day over the last couple weeks. You MUST taper off this drug. | I have taken ativan on and off for years in very very low doses, maybe one every few months when stressed. This is crazy, I feel that I have now lost my mind and don't rememebr the last few weeks...guess that was to be expected but wow. It does work, but be carefull. | F | 35 | 15 days | 5/1/2008 | 5 | depression/anxiety | nothing bad | I've taken this as needed for about a year now. when i', having bad days, and it's great, it'll also help me sleep. if i'm having a really really rough day i can take up to 2. usually in the morning or afternoon and one at night to help sleep. | F | 24 | 1 years | 4/26/2008 | 5 | insomnia, anxiety | none | 0.5 mg at bedtime allows me to sleep without torturous dreams. A blessed relief! | F | 74 | 24 months | 4/26/2008 | 1 | depression | addicted taking as prescribed, then became out of control | Detox, hospitalization, for three months. NEVER USE THIS DRUG OR ANY BENZOS. ALMOST KILLED ME. | M | 71 | 12 months | 4/26/2008 | 5 | Muscle relaxant | None. | Doctor prescribed Ativan for spasms due to arthritis in my neck. Valium was the only thing that had worked well years ago, and she preferred I try this. Mostly it just helps me sleep well so the spasm relaxes away, usually in one night. Rx was for 1mg, but I found a half works just as well, and I only take it as needed - 1-2 times weekly - not often enough to worry about addiction (tho "every night" is certainly tempting!) Husband is retired pharmacist and warned me about addiction. Can't imagine a doctor not monitoring the use of Ativan so all of those who have spoken before me would not have all these problems! | F | 60 | 6 months | 4/24/2008 | 2 | Anxiety/Insomnia | Terrible rebound insomnia. | Started taking 1 mg a day at night and felt great. Relieved anxiety and helped me go right to sleep. After about twenty days I noticed a dramatic reduction in effectiveness. Increased does to 2 mg. After 40 days on this drug it stopped working. Quit cold turkey and had night sweats. Rebound insomnia has been unbearable, after 7 days off this drug, I need Ambien to go to sleep. Stay away from this addictive drug. | M | 40 | 32 days | 4/14/2008 | 1 | Anxiety | Severe panic attacks, very nervous, My mind is going crazy thinking about anything and everything. Every nerve ending in my body is tingling. Could not sleep at all. I was only on 1 mg twice a day for for 10 days and the side effects started at about 36 hours after not having it. I am currently going on about 72 hours and still am feeling horrible wondering how much longer these side effects or withdrawal symptoms are going to last. I actually felt like I was going to die the first 24 hours of the side effects starting. Now at about 72 hours off the drug the effects are not as intense. I do not feel like I am going to die although I am still very nervous with lots of tingeing sensations, my mind is still wondering. I also went to the gym and worked out thinking that the exercise would help relieve the effects which actually had an reverse effect and made it worse. This is a horrible drug to come off of and will never take it again. This has been the worse experience in my entire life | The drug did work for the time that I took it. I was very calm, mellow and able to function. I was still depressed but it for sure took away the anxiety and allowed me to sleep. All in all the withdrawals after not taking the drug are for sure not going through. I would rather deal with the anxiety than go through feeling like your gonna die. | M | 42 | 10 days | 4/8/2008 | 1 | Made Me Crazy | The side effects I got from this medication where: disinhibition, confusion, disorientation (which made me behave abnormally wild and violent) amnesia, memory impairment, (I couldn't remember behaving wildly) depression (made me horribly depressed. tried to kill myself 3 times) | DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION. IT COULD POSSIBLY RUIN YOUR LIFE. If you have anxiety try Bendryl. It may make you sleepy but at least you won't be going nuts. See a complete list of the side effects at http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/loraz_ad.htm | F | 31 | 365 days | 4/7/2008 | 2 | Dizziness & Vertigo | MORE dizzy, out of sorts, trouble focusing... sort of drunk feeling. sick to my stomach from the resulting increase of vertigo. | My doctor decided to give me this after i asked for a valium refill, which i wasn't abusing... i only was giving 30 and i spaced them out 5 months. I tried it and i'm not sold, this doesn't make me feel any better! | F | 28 | 1 weeks | 4/2/2008 | 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 | 3 | Anxiety | Relieves temporary anxiety. Has a numbing effect. like drinking a couple beers without the down. Xanax is a similar drug but gives you a high. Don't take with alcohol, you'll black out and/or vomit. Pro: reduces anxiety, Con: addictive, lasting effects. | I started taking ativan/lorazapam(generic) at 19 yrs old. I was in college and experiencing anxiety. Took small doses (0.5mg) on and off for several years. Good part is that it'll get thru that nerve wrecking ordeal. You still have to get rid of the underlying issue. Im no longer on ativan, but I still get anxiety. This pill is addictive. After I stopped, my body twitches at times. I also have jaw/ear problems. Neck strains. Recommend being weened off. | F | 27 | 2 years | 3/11/2008 | 5 | Work stress. | Slight balance loss the first week, then it was fine. Slight short term memory loss, but that is fine now too. | I take Ativan for eye twitching and heart tightness due to job related stress. I quit my job. Just wean yourself off little by little and never take more than the doctor tells you too. It is a life saver. | F | 43 | 4 months | 3/3/2008 | 3 | Anxiety | Being very tired. This would continue all day. I thought maybe the effects of tiredness would wear off but it didn't.Since I switched to Xanax which acted a lot better for me without the side effects of Ativan. | Activan is sometimes used before dental extractions also other than anxiety. I would say it's not has powerful as Xanax but close. And of course that big word that's used quite a bit on this forum...ADDICTING! Most benzos are addicting but "SO WHAT!" If they help you and you follow your doctor's recommended dosage, I could care less about that big over "Abused" word "Addiction." If any thing is addicting it's the over used word..."ADDICTION!" Dicipline yourself with these medications and you'll find yourself that these medications will indeed help you with your health issues. For me Ativan just didn't work for me. Xanax works much better for me. See how simple it was to say that without using that addicting word "Addiction?" I quit taking Ativan since Xanax works so much better for me. | M | 53 | 3 months | 2/28/2008 | 1 | anxiety, PTSD | none | Didn't work at all for me. I took 4 times the dosage and nothing happened. No edge off my anxiety what so ever. I switched to Xanax and am much happier. | F | 22 | 2 months | 2/23/2008 | 4 | Anxiety | I have had no side effects | I have been taking 0.5mg for about 7years with no problems,but I never thought about any problems getting off it if I wanted to. I have heard that on this small a dosage there should be no major withdrawl problems, does anyone out there know if this is true, I've read alot on this and it seems like the worst withdrawal side effects are from people who have taken very large doses for a long time. Any info would be greatly appreciated. | F | 60 | 7 years | 2/22/2008 | 1 | CHEMOTHERAPY-anti-nausea | Loopy, dizzy, tired all the time, mood swings if not taken on time | If you're reading this, then you're probably already on the drug. this is a horribly addictive drug that I wish I had never taken. I was warned about it by a physician friend, but didn't realize how strong it was. I immediately quit it after treatment, and have experienced horrible side effects worse than what the drug is supposed to treat, nausea, dizzyness, almost blacking out, shortness of breath, etc. I had to ween myself off it UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PHYSICIAN! Please don't take this drug under any circumstances! You will be sorry you did. I am. I would rather have been sick while on the chemo - because I was still sick! | M | 37 | 2 days | 2/13/2008 | 3 | Panic Attacks | Withdrawls. Almost feel drunk, off balance, dizzy - out of sorts. Severe ringing in ears. Chest pain, difficulty breathing, shakes, unsteady walk, EXTREMELY tired, yet can't sleep. Constant yawning. Heartburn, occasional MILD nausea. Overall, every symptom I started taking the medicine for, has returned now that I am trying to wean off of it. | I don't take a lot of it, but I do take it daily and have developed a dependance on it. I have gotten 3 Dr's opinions all concluding I could get off of it now, with no SERIOUS complications. Will be uncomfortable, but it will pass .. yet I hate being uncomfortable so I keep taking the dang medicine. I have weaned down to about .625, twice daily. I dunno how long I cam going to do this for ... cause sometimes I feel I am over the hump then the next day, I get the withdrawls back ten-fold. I find if I can, I just sleep the symptoms away - keeps me from taking more than I want to of the medication. | F | 28 | 8 months | 1/28/2008 | 1 | depression | Took for slight anxiety. Doctor mistook my growing anxiety for anxiety attacks. Really they were withdrawal. So he jacked up dosage, totally addicting me. Killer withdrawal. Three months in hospitals. Now AA every day. Brain messed. Still want to take Ativan ? | As addicting as crack. Use only if you want to die. | M | 70 | 200 days | 1/19/2008 | 3 | convulsions, and anxiety attacks | I took this drug when I was 17. Hyperactivity, psychosis/mania, no need for sleep were the side effects. Took 2mg at the onset of heavy twitching, then it would kick in an hour later. Some days I would take 6mg, others I would keep it down to 4mg depending if it was a good day or a bad one. | This medication worked to control my convultions due to an adverse drug reaction and controled my anxiety attacks, however the side effects included me speaking at a million miles an hour, producing a language that no one understood, HYPERACTIVITY, and not needing sleep. The drug was an amazing fix, but it caused me to loose lots of weight from me running around and not needing sleep. No one understood what I would say, and my thoughts would go at a million miles and hour. I could not perform simple addition, nor sit still. I was taken out of school while I was on the drug becuase of my inability to perform. My choice was to be a maniac on Ativan or stay with the convultions. I chose Ativan, but it was just a temporary fix. When i got off of Ativan I went crazy with the withdrawal symptoms, but thank God I was able to go through that hell in one piece. What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. Once I went through a detox, I didn't have any more problems with convultions or anx | F | 21 | 1 months | 1/18/2008 | 1 | antiety/panic attacks | muscle tension, shortness breath, anger/violent thoughts, anxiety, tightness in chest, weight gain, fatigue, memory loss, nerve pain in face, inability to tolerate others, suicidal thoughts | I've taken ativan for 21 years. I never felt I was abusing it (.5mg prn, and I didn't take it every day for many years until recently) and I NEVER did deal with the issues I was taking it for to begin with, (anxiety). I forgot why I was taking it! It made me feel better for many years, that's all that mattered! my doctor who was giving it to me since I'm 17 just retired.. now I'm forced to stop it or go begging like an addict for more. I have a good job and I can afford to DR shop but now that I'm going through this thought process I see my addiction for what it is and has become. This drug will make you feel better,(no doubt about it!).. but, this drug will make you a lunatic on it and if you try to stop it.. consider the worst panic attack imaginable.. all that hell doesn't even compare to what you will feel and how your body will react when you have no more little pills left. It hurts and it doesn't just go away..this withdrawl duration. forwarned is forarmed. I can't express it i | F | 38 | 21 years | 1/14/2008 | 1 | anxiety | TINNITUS, tolerence anxiety, headaches. Quickly develops tolerence. | I quit taking this drug 10 months ago and am still having ear troubles/tinnitus. ENT can't find anything wrong. Do not take Benzo's for more than a week. Very addictive. Check out benzo.org.uk for further info. | M | 39 | 1.5 years | 1/8/2008 | 4 | anxiety | slight dizziness, lowered alcohol tolerance, memory loss | this medicine was amazing for treating my anxiety. i use ativan along with zoloft and though i still find it necessary to take after six months my anxiety attacks are less severe and i need less of the pills. tried to take along with buspar as well but that medicine gave me very bad side effects | F | 17 | 6 months | 1/7/2008 | 4 | occasionally for OCD caused anxiety | Derealization, increased any OCD I was experienceing, drowsiness | I've only taken it on occasion, but other then the side effects it helped calm my anxiety down and helped me sleep well | M | 17 | 8 months | 1/3/2008 | 1 | panic attacks, anxiety, depression | Seemed like a miracle drug for 9yrs! Went from .25mg to 4mg; Helped me sleep, interact socially and removed my panic attacks with hardly any side effects. Coming off this drug and the damage it does mentally and physically is a whole different story: Cold sweats, severe shakes, confusion, mood swings(mostly anger), suicidal, flu like symptoms, respiratory problems, sensitivity to light(seriously), delirium, pulmonary edema and a host of other problems which doctors treated as different illness with more drugs. If I had the chance to do it over again knowing the outcome, I'd take a bullet before using this medication. In times of need the use of "Calms Forte" made by Hylands which is not addictive and non-prescription seems to work. I used the non-addictive prescription drug "Vistaril" to help overcome the addiction to ativan. It won't remove the wilthdraw symptoms but numbs the effect a little. | Make sure you understand this medication is highly addictive and is easily missed due to high physical addictiveness and less on the mental side. If you told me 9yrs after taking this medication that it was possible I was addicted, I would have laughed and said "impossible, It saved my life!". Amazingly it took me that long to understand I was, and 3yrs later the destructiveness these medications took on my mind and body are still present. The withdraw symptoms are intense, and in my case it was seen as other mental illnesses; Bi-polar, schizo-effective, schizophrenia. If your agitated and can't sleep after stopping this medication your addicted, get help immediately. The only miracle this drug offered was surviving it! | M | 35 | 10 years | 1/2/2008 | 4 | Anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, OCD | Memory loss over the years. | Very addicting. I have been taking it for about 20 years at the same dose of 2mg. My PMD prescribed several other sleep meds, but none of them helped me with the anxiety and insomnia like Ativan does. Ativan is the only med that shuts my mind off so I can sleep. It has been a Godsend for me. | F | 55 | 20 years | 12/27/2007 |