How long can I safely take Ativan for?

[DKnight]

I know the FDA recommends 2-4 weeks or something of the sort, but do people go on to take them longer? I was just discharged after being put on it, seems like everyone in this place was put on effexor and ativan, pdocs have a hard on for it i guess.

Ativan has always been a magic bullet for me for both anxiety and depression. I think mostly because anxiety causes my depression.

I also take Effexor with it 300mg. And restoril for sleep temporarily.

Thanks for responses.

[TheTrishgu]

I've been on it for almost two years. I'm sure there are people on this forum that have been taking it longer. The recommendation is made due to the physical or mental dependency that can occur. If you do end up taking this long term, make sure your doctor isn't stupid enough to pull you cold turkey.

Anti-anxiety drugs are like a crutch, but people like us have debilitating anxiety that cannot be fixed in 2-4 weeks.

Get yourself stabilized - something that will happen in your own time.

[DKnight]

I've been on it for almost two years. I'm sure there are people on this forum that have been taking it longer. The recommendation is made due to the physical or mental dependency that can occur. If you do end up taking this long term, make sure your doctor isn't stupid enough to pull you cold turkey.

Anti-anxiety drugs are like a crutch, but people like us have debilitating anxiety that cannot be fixed in 2-4 weeks.

Get yourself stabilized - something that will happen in your own time.

I've heard ativan is used for anxiety with depression, but can it make someone depressed if taken for too long?

[notfred]

I've heard ativan is used for anxiety with depression, but can it make someone depressed if taken for too long?

It can, any benzo can, but that does not mean it will. I have taken benzos for decades without an increase in dose or a decrease in effectiveness.

nf

[dancesintherain]

I'm going on two years as well...at varying doses. When I was hospitalized, I was at max 3mg a day (usually split up in regular doses). By the time I left an IOP program, I was down to 1mg am and 1mg pm. Life actually started cooperating for me and not treating me like shit and I went off it for a period of time. Then all hell broke loose again and I was taking 1mg am and 1mg pm. Things are starting to stabilize, but sleep issues are cropping up, so 1mg pm and 1mg at night to help with sleep. The hope is to eventually not need the 1mg for sleep....and then after that, to not need the 1mg in the late afternoon.

But to be honest, that's a long way of saying that I've been on varying doses over the past two years. The going off/on wasn't due to safety or any med-related concern, just my psychiatrist's general minimalist philosophy...if you're doing well enough that you don't need it, don't take it. But as you can tell, most of the past two years hasn't been that way and he doesn't have a problem with that.

[Maddy]

I've taken Ativan since 2003 at least. I take it PRN. If I don't need it, I don't take it.

[Guest colinmichaels]

I take it as needed. have used it or some Benzo for most of my life-at least 30 years. No big deal as far as side effects go-sedation which feels good I think-great for sleep and really cool for those controversial meetings I have to chair occasionaly-i get all wired up and mouth off to people unless I take it. Then I am way calm and don't give s*** what they say. People cangratulate me often for handling meetings. I owe my career to this drug.

Colinmichaels

[netsavy006]

Since January of 2010, I've been on Ativan as an anxiety and panic attack management medication for the past 10 months @ 4mg per day. (1mg QID). It was working for me for a long time but then eventually it started not to work as well which is why I was switched over to Xanax 1mg QID.

In my belief (and I can be wrong) as long as you don't have a history of abusing drugs or alcohol you can safely take these types of medications as long as you need provided your taking them as directed and under the care of your doctor.