Seriously no one here has ever been prescribed Ativan for Panic Attacks. Generic brand called Lorazepam.. I need some help here thanks.

Hi. I've been on Ativan for about 2 months for anxiety attacks. I take it on a as needed basis, sometimes more often than not. It works out of your system fairly quickly. If you're taking 1.5 a day you should be alright to have a drink or two, but not more than that... as you know alochol increases the side effects of medications, so you'll probably be out and sleep after your second drink anyway. Check with your doctor first.

As for anxiety after running out of and missing pills, I probably assume so. I don't take it everyday. My doctors have told me that it's is fairly addictive if taken for long term, and its very easy to become dependant on. Recently I went back to my doctor because my dose wasn't helping my attacks. He didn't want to up the dose anymore because of its addictive qualities. He ended up putting me on an anti-depressant for my anxiety. I suggest you go back and talk to you doctor about what to do next.

Hey, Im taking lorazepam for anxiety and panic attacks as well. I wouldnt change your dosage, follow what the doctor prescribed, as for drinking, sure you can drink just watch how much you drink, just like the person said above alcohol intensifies the effects. Maybe you should go back and talk to the doctor, they say your shouldnt completly stop your dosage, rather slowly get off it. i would assume that you will have anxiety after you stopped,

Everyone reacts differently when taking medications and drinking alcohol. When I was on Ativan, if I drank even ONE drink, I was out for 12 hours but I know others who were not quite as affected as I. Always use caution and remember that everyone is different, just because it's ok for someone else does not mean it's ok for you or vice versa. As I'm sure you already heard, Ativan can be addictive and dangerous. Be careful and if your "party going" make sure anyone you go with knows what your on in case you have a reaction.

Some medications have bad effects on your liver if you take them while you drink. However, I think a drink or two for New Year's would be ok... if you're concerned, ask your pharmacist or doc.

do not ever!!!! mix ativan or any other benzodiazapine with alcohol. it could be lethal. also, never suddenly discontinue any benzo like ativan , it could cause you to have seizures. i have been in rehab 3 times and i know many people who experienced seizures as a result of suddenly discontinuing their valium, xanas, ativan, etc.

In most people Ativan will cause drowsiness. Ativan is prescribed for short term insomnia as well as anxiety among other things. I work in an Emergency Room as a tech and have been prescribed Ativan in the past as well. From my professional experience I have never seen a patient with dangerous side effects when alcohol is mixed with Ativan. Ativan is often used to sedate irate patients however more often than not ETOH patients recieve Ativan with no adverse effect. Everyone has a different immune system and body chemistry and there is always a chance mixing any medication with alcohol can prove deadly. As for what Getbornagain stated, Ativan is usually prescribed lorazepam is a generic which the pharmacy will give instead of the Ativan as they are interchangeable with no chemical difference.

I have been taking ativan, 1 mg, 3 times a day for one year. I told my doctor it did not seem to be helping anymore and he suggested I increase my dose to 2mg 3 times a day. I really do not want to do this, after reading all the bad stuff about getting off of it. I have stayed at 1mg, but lately I get extremely nauseated when I wake up in the morning. I take one 1 mg ativan at bedtime. and then again before I take the ativan during the day. After I take the ativan the nausea goes away. Is this what they call withdrawals, since I did not increase my dosage?

Ativan is what is considered a rescue drug. It is fast acting and has a moderate effectiveness. The main problem with Ativan is that dependence can manifest itself within 7 days of initially taking the drug. Once your body grows dependent it develops tolerance for it as well. You begin needing more with more doses in between much like elicit drugs. Almost daily we have people who come in to the ER who are seeking drugs usually ativan or Dilaudid. I know your not one of these people just like my self I stopped taking it for fear of the consequences since I know them too well. If you need anxiety medication on a regular basis your PCP should start you on something that is intended for long term use. Ask your physician about Buspirone(trade name Buspar). It takes up to a month to start working however it is the best for long term use. It has been clinically proven not to cause physical dependence or cognitive impairment. Good luck
-Ernest

You probably should not drink or at least limit your alcohol consumption while on Ativan, but if you have panic issues you should not stop taking your Ativan while drinking. I was on Ativan 0.5 mg three times a day for anxiety and panic a year ago and had been advised to not drink while taking it. I had a day of partying planned so did not take my Ativan and drank heavily that afternoon and evening. Early the next day I started feeling quite strange, weak and tingly all over. I was afraid to take my Ativan. I got progressively weaker and and shaky and felt like I had been sedated. They had to take me to the ER where they diagnosed panic attack and gave me Ativan. The Dr. there advised that the alcohol I had been drinking substituted for the Ativan until I sobered up and then the panic attack hit. Sicne I had not been taking my Ativan for almost 36 hrs at that point, I also think there was some amount of Ativan withdrawal mixed in there also. So now I do not stop Ativan if I have a drink but have found that after only a couple of drinks I am so sleepy I need to take a nap. This sort of defeats the purpose of drinking for me anyway which is to party with friends and have a good time. Hard to have a good time when all you want to do is lay down and nap!