Published on 28 July 2023

Can You Take Ativan And Gabapentin Together: Is It Safe?

Lorazepam (ativan) Can-You-Take-Ativan-And-Gabapentin-Together
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The primary purpose of using Ativan is to treat anxiety issues. It has now become common for people to suffer from anxiety and depression issues. Almost 30% of people suffer from an anxiety disorder, which is most common in the US. There are different types of anxiety issues. Older people are more prone to such conditions. 

Most people know about seizures by experiencing the situation or hearing it from an outside source. As seizures are not a common condition, at least 10% of people can go through the condition in a lifetime. It all depends on the person. There are various types of seizures that an individual can go through, but also it can be treated by opting for anti-seizure medicines like Gabapentin.

When one suffers from these conditions, would it be better to consume Ativan and Gabapentin together? Let us find out in detail about the most asked question for dealing with the condition and Safety of an individual if they take both together.

What Is Ativan?

Ativan is one of the most effective drugs for treating anxiety. Apart from this, it also works for different conditions like insomnia, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal. It is an effective drug prescribed to many people.

You can get this drug in its generic form Lorazepam, a similar medicine but cheaply with different inactive ingredients. People under 12 are not allowed to take Ativan medications because of the possible side effects that can counter the body. 

How to get Ativan prescribed: Ativan is mostly prescribed for treating anxiety and people should first visit their healthcare provider on the basis of the checkup, the doctor will prescribe the medication.

How Does Ativan Work?

Medicines in the Benzodiazepines drug class work the same; Ativan is one of them. It enhances certain neurotransmitter activity in the brain. These neurotransmitters are called the GABA receptors.

Once the drug starts to work in the body, it starts to relax an individual's body and showcase a calming effect on the body. Later it makes the person relaxed. For accurate results on the body, a prescription is mandatory.

What Is Gabapentin?

Generally, Gabapentin can be prescribed with other medicines. Gabapentin can solely control seizures. It also works for nerve pains, restless leg syndrome, or postherpetic neuralgia. It is available in different brands called Neurontin, Gralise, and Horizant.

You can opt for any medicine depending on the availability. These two drug forms differ because generic costs are lower than brand drugs. The consumption of Gabapentin for people under 12 years is not suitable. 

How Does Gabapentin Work?

Gabapentin belongs to a different drug class compared to Ativan. Gabapentin is an Anticonvulsant drug-class medicine. All medicines that fall under this category work the same. Seizures occur due to electrical disturbances in the brain.

To cure this, Gabapentin works on the brain by acting on the neurotransmitters, tentatively lowering the excitement levels. GABA receptors ensure that the brain gets calm, acts on the electrical activities an individual suffers, and makes it into a relaxed state. It is advisable to take a prescription before you take Gabapentin.

Is It Safe To Take Ativan And Gabapentin Together?

When you take Ativan and Gabapentin together, you are possibly near to getting affected by the side effects it can create in your body. So, combining Ativan and Gabapentin is a wrong decision to make. 

You will get affected by Possible side effects such as Drowsiness, dizziness, problems in concentrating/focusing, and confusion in whatever you work. Other issues, such as thinking, making correct judgments, and the inability to focus on important things, can commonly be affected by older people above 65. 

Study About Ativan And Gabapentin

According to a study by the FDA, ehealthme.com has summoned the research and stated that there had been drug interaction effects on people who have taken Ativan and Gabapentin.

Low energy and a feeling of weakness had been registered in women, whereas in men, through drug ineffectiveness. Overall they have concluded with 12,695 reports. It generally helps the doctor in decision-making about effectiveness. 

Things To Avoid If You Take Ativan And Gabapentin

Firstly, you should not take Ativan and Gabapentin for your own better health. If by any chance the doctor prescribes you to take these two drugs, then you should avoid things like consuming alcohol.

Activities that should be kept on hold are using heavy machinery, driving, and working on something that needs attention and focus. Informing your doctor about the situation is mandatory, and get the necessary help.

Possible Side Effects Of Ativan And Gabapentin

Every medication has its side effects. If you are taking Ativan or Gabapentin together, if not the above-mentioned side effects, you might suffer from individual side effects. You should get proper care from the doctor; its side effects differ according to the person and severity.

Ativan

Common Side Effects

Severe Side Effects

Drowsiness

Severe skin rash

Dry mouth

Yellowing of skin or eyes

Dizziness

Inability to sit still

Weakness

Severe headache

Lowers blood pressure

Irregular heartbeat

Tiredness

Fever

Gabapentin

Common Side Effects

Severe Side Effects

Headache

Allergic reactions

Weight gain

Liver problem

Dizziness

Weakness or muscle pain

Fever

Mood swings

Eye problem

Kidney issues

These are the most commonly caused side effects of Ativan and Gabapentin. If you go through other effects, contact your doctor immediately. 

Between Ativan And Gabapentin, Which Is Effective?

According to the reviews mentioned on drugs.com, it is stated that Ativan is more effective compared to Gabapentin. Ativan has shown 75% positive effects, whereas, for Gabapentin, only 63% have reported positive effects.

Ativan has been rated 8 out of 10 and 7.1 out of 10 for Gabapentin. The best thing you can do is get a proper dosage and prescription from your doctor.

Ativan And Gabapentin, Which Is Addictive?

Addictiveness depends on different individuals. If you feel comfortable with a single medicine, you tend to consume more and more of it, which leads to dependence and causes addiction, also termed as abusing a drug.

Ativan and Gabapentin are both considered addictive. It has effective ingredients that help an individual with the condition they have been facing. Few people also consume medicine in different ways, such as snorting and breaking the medicine. 

On the safer side, you should get all the necessary information about the drug before consuming it. Also, inform doctors about all the conditions you have faced and the medicines you have taken to cure them. It helps to identify and advise the correct drug and its doses.

Drug Interactions With Ativan And Gabapentin

If you take medicine that interacts with other drugs leads to severe effects. Sometimes it can also cause death. So whenever you are prescribed to take Ativan or Gabapentin, better know the drugs that interact with each other. One of the interactive drugs for Ativan is Gabapentin. 

Ativan 

Gabapentin

Flexeril

Ambien

Ambien

Benadryl

Oxycodone

Cymbalta

Tramadol

Lexapro

Zoloft

Lyrica

These are a few of the medicines that interact with Ativan and Gabapentin. If you take drugs apart from them, you should inform your doctor.

Also, Read

Bottom Line From Practical Anxiety Solutions

By now, you might have clearly understood not to take Ativan and Gabapentin together. It can cause severe effects on your body. According to the research, this drug can interact with men and women differently and according to the individual factor. 

Each drug can treat conditions it has been approved for, but mixing up with other medicine can be dangerous. If you suffer from these two conditions, getting diagnosed by a licensed doctor would be the most recommended. 

Frequently asked questions

Few people have gotten effective results from Gabapentin for anxiety compared to Ativan. It depends on different people.
No, Gabapentin is not termed a painkiller, nor is it an opioid. It is mainly used to treat nerve pain.
It is mostly not allowed to take Gabapentin for people who have already misused or abused a drug.