Ativan (Lorazepam) Withdrawal Symptoms

One possible side effect of taking Ativan is that it is easy to quickly become dependent on it. In fact, nearly one third of people who have to take this drug for more than a month will experience withdrawal effects when coming off of it. There are, however, also some who have fallen into Ativan abuse. Some have gone as far as to purchase Ativan on the Internet or from another country outside of the US both of which are dangerous practices. Ativan abuse increases the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms as well as their severity. What are Ativan withdrawal symptoms? Read on to learn more.

Ativan withdrawal symptoms

If you are taking Ativan, and it is time to come off the drug, it is important to stop the medication in the manner directed by your doctor. Coming off of this medication slowly will greatly reduce the chances of experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Stopping the medication abruptly, or reducing the dosage too quickly, may result in some of the following lorazepam withdrawal symptoms.

Some of these symptoms will include a recurrence of whatever the medication may have been prescribed for in the first place such as anxiety or insomnia. Other symptoms may include headaches, irritability, confusion, restlessness, hallucinations, seizures, and depersonalization. It can also have an effect on your senses causing numbness or tingling in a person's extremities, as well as a hypersensitivity to sound, smell, and light. Potential stomach reactions include pain, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Additional symptoms may include loss of short term memory, heart palpitations, and panic attacks.

While these symptoms can occur after just one week of taking Ativan, the likelihood of occurrence increases for those who have taken the drug for a longer period of time or were on a higher dose. Withdrawal symptoms will generally last anywhere from one and a half to two and a half days until all of the drug is out of a person's system.

Because of the nature of Ativan withdrawal symptoms, some have been move to secretly continue taking the drug, even if no longer prescribed by a doctor. This is a dangerous practice. If you or someone you know is abusing Ativan, seek assistance. With the right support, you can withstand the withdrawal symptoms and reclaim your life.

Hopefully this highlights the importance of never taking Ativan, or any other prescription drug, without a doctor's approval or for a purpose other than it was prescribed. Always take Ativan as directed to decrease the odds of dependence and withdrawal.