ATIVAN Reviews (LORAZEPAM)Average Rating: 3.3 (709 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare ATIVAN with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by Date from oldest to newest. Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 |
More on ATIVAN: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR ATIVAN | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 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 day | 6/1/2010 | 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 day | 6/2/2010 | 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 | 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 day | 6/18/2010 | 5 | pelvic floor muscle spasms | Some agression | F | 35 | 2 years .5 - 1 mg 1X day | 6/29/2010 | 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 | 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 day | 7/1/2010 | 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 day | 7/7/2010 | 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 day | 7/10/2010 | 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 day | 7/19/2010 | 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 day | 7/21/2010 | 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 day | 7/26/2010 | 4 | anxiety | No side effects. Works like a charm. | F | 46 | 1 years 10mg 1X AN | 8/10/2010 | 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 day | 8/12/2010 | 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 day | 8/22/2010 | 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 day | 8/26/2010 | 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 day | 8/30/2010 | 3 | Anxiety | Blurred Vision! Severe Headaches when not taken every day, tingling sensations, light headed, dizziness | I really loved how well this drug immediately cured my anxiety when I was first prescribed to it. Then I started getting use to the feeling of calmness all of the time. Pretty soon just .5mg wasn't enough for me. I took it when I woke up, during the day, and even before bed to help me stay asleep better. This drug works great, but after a while I felt I was getting dependent on it. I tried to stop taking it, but I needed good sleep while I was in school full time. On spring break I attempted to ween myself off of it, but I got TERRIBLE mood swings. I was angry all the time, and I thought I could feel my blood flowing through my veins. The withdrawal feeling was similar if not worse than quitting smoking. I felt physically sick if I didn't take the Ativan daily. This is a highly addictive drug that gave me many unwanted side effects. Even 5 months after being off of the drug, I still keep the left overs stashed around just in case. It's like my security blanket. I continue to have blurred vision since I stopped taking this medicine,(which is why I don't take it anymore) and I feel like I have nervous twitches now that I didn't have before taking this med. I would strongly suggest anyone who is sensitive to medicine, to skip this stuff all together! I wish I could have gotten on an anti depressant that actually worked, so I didn't ever have to take this stuff. | F | 23 | 1.5 years .5mg 4X day | 9/1/2010 | 5 | Insomnia, Restless Leg Syndrome | None | I love this pill. I always had trouble sleeping. Not only would I 'turn myself around' but I would sometimes get no sleep once I was too turned. I was originally prescribed this for anxiety and immediately noticed how great it was for sleeping. It is stupendous for sleeping. It helps me get to sleep and I don't wake up with any groggy feeling or side effects. I have never had a problem with needing a higher does, and .5 DOES work, like clockwork, every night. Plus it is wonderful to have on hand for the occasional anxious day. My mom had real trouble with Ambian and Lunesta - why take those when this is available. The only problem with this pill is getting it. I don't know why but all doctors are hysterical about it and my pharmacy is too. Don't dare lose any pills down the sink my pharmacy will call the DEA if I show up 2 days early for a refill. | F | 38 | 8 years .5mg 1X day | 9/4/2010 | 1 | panic attack | hallucinated | ran out of my meds early (lyrica, baclofen) was having severe panic attacks. went to hospital and they gave me ativan to stop the panic attacks. kinda worked - panic attack stopped but i started hallucinating instead. my fingers starting melting, felt like I was slipping off my chair, slurring. Really bad side affects for me, do not like, will not take again. | F | 29 | 1 days 1X day | 9/7/2010 |