People have struggled with depression and Anxiety for decades. You might also remember times when you felt an acute sense of Anxiety. Different situations can lead to Anxiety. For most people, those anxious feelings, fear, and worries subside after the problem is resolved. But for the remaining people, Anxiety is ongoing, even without a clear cause.Â
In those cases, a person may be desperate to find relief and turn to their doctor for help. Various therapies and medications have ranged wildly from century to century for these common mental health concerns. The doctor may prescribe Ativan, a drug belonging to benzodiazepines that effectively calm the racing mind.
Ativan is FDA-approved and ranked 48 in 2012 on a list of the 200 most frequently prescribed medications. In 2017, physicians wrote almost 26.5 million prescriptions for Ativan alone. Since Ativan is approved for Anxiety, can it also become one of the reasons for Anxiety?
Ativan, containing Lorazepam as its active ingredient, belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved this medicine in 1977.Â
It is a sedative/hypnotic or anxiolytic drug that helps to treat Anxiety disorders such as panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized Anxiety disorder, and social phobias.
It is also used for the short-term relief of Anxiety symptoms such as trembling, excessive sweating, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, nervousness, and weakness or lack of concentration.
This drug is suitable for treating Anxiety in adults and children 13 years and older. It can also be taken by adults and children 5 years or older as a "pre-medication" before surgery.
Ativan is available in two forms, i.e.,Â
Ativan (Lorazepam) acts on the Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABA) to slow down the Central Nervous System. This reduces excess excitement and agitation, inducing a calming and relaxing effect.
This also reduces the intensity of panic attacks and Anxiety. The drug has fast-acting compounds that make it an effective solution to manage panic symptoms temporarily. The drug enters your system rapidly and lasts a few hours. It should only be consumed briefly to avoid any adverse effects.Â
Systematic clinical studies have not assessed the effectiveness of Ativan for more than four months. Physicians or concerned medical practitioners should periodically evaluate the drug's efficacy for the individual patient.Â
Ativan can have powerful effects on the nerves and brain. However, most users experience "rebound" effects or worsening of the same symptoms that a drug is designed to treat. Specifically, Ativan can cause rebound Anxiety, sleep disturbances, abnormal body movements, and agitation.
The chemical structure of Ativan is intended to reduce the excitation of the nerves and brain while soothing emotional responses that create Anxiety, uneasiness, and restlessness.
Individuals taking Ativan may lose interest in their daily responsibilities or experiences. They might feel constantly sluggish and tired and have an exhausted appearance.
The Rebound effect usually occurs when a medication having a contrary impact on the disorder is discontinued, which makes the original condition more difficult to treat due to serious health effects.Â
Between 10%-35% of individuals will experience a rebound of Anxiety symptoms, especially panic attacks, when they discontinue benzodiazepines too rapidly. A slow tapering of the medication is best, which can lead to fewer withdrawal symptoms.
Rebound symptoms are common with depressants and other drugs used to treat Anxiety and panic disorders. For the most part, Anxiety medications are ideally used for short-term therapeutic use.
That means you take the drug for a certain amount of time to correct any chemical imbalances, and then you stop taking the medication or taper off. However, when you stop using the drug, it may come with withdrawal symptoms. Rebound symptoms are usually the most common withdrawal symptoms regarding Anxiety medications.Â
Benzodiazepine medications are intended for short-term use to cope with some of the most extreme Anxiety symptoms. Tolerance to these drugs can occur in as little as three weeks, so doctors prescribe smaller doses.
It's possible to experience these withdrawal symptoms for several weeks after abstaining, even when used as prescribed. Those who abuse the medication place themselves in a more difficult situation and can experience more profound side effects such as hallucinations and seizures.Â
Anxiety disorder can be scary and disorienting, not because of the physical symptoms that manifest when you start to worry. These disorders may also raise your risk of developing medical problems like heart disease, depression, diabetes, and substance Abuse difficulties.
Approx. 31.1% of Americans are likely to develop Anxiety at some point. This disorder stops an individual from functioning normally and is experienced for most days, i.e., six months or longer.
No specific period for how long an Anxiety disorder is expected to last. However, there are some highly individual factors. According to one three-year study, the following factors affect the duration of Anxiety disorder duration:
Benzodiazepines like Ativan were initially intended for short-term use, but prolonged usage of Ativan for insomnia and Anxiety has become common. Taking Lorazepam for a short term of three to six weeks daily, even at prescribed doses, can cause dependence and mild withdrawal symptoms.
Ativan withdrawal is a challenging experience. Many people take this drug regularly for years without realizing how dependent they have become on Ativan.Â
Around 40% of people on benzodiazepines for longer than six months are likely to experience moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms if they discontinue taking it abruptly. The remaining 60% will have mild symptoms. When your daily dose of Ativan is stopped suddenly or significantly reduced, withdrawal symptoms can appear in less than 8 to 12 hours.
The severity of these symptoms is also associated with your current dose. If you take more Ativan or mix it with other benzo drugs, your withdrawal symptoms may become more severe.
Potential withdrawal symptoms include:
Some studies describe acute withdrawal as at its worst phase on the second day and improving by the fourth or fifth day.Â
Ativan is a potent benzo drug with a high potential for addiction and Abuse. Taking Ativan for any period leads to physical and psychological dependence based on various factors, including personal history, method of misuse, and genetics.
People with a history of substance or alcohol abuse or untreated mental health disorders are at higher risk of developing Ativan addiction. As a pharmacotherapeutic agent, Ativan is intended for short-term use.
If taken beyond the point when it should be discontinued (e.g., two weeks to months), the medication is unlikely to retain its efficacy. The compulsive patterns of use typical of addiction might more readily take shape.
The following criteria may be warning signs for a developing Ativan addiction-
In many cases, the risks of severe withdrawal require vigilant observation. To be safe, all benzo drugs should be tapered gradually rather than quitting abruptly, regardless of the dose and duration of use. This process is known as medical detox, an early treatment for Ativan addiction to ensure safe and easy recovery.
If you have come off any medication and started experiencing rebound symptoms, speak to your doctor. Mental health issues are complicated, even ordinary problems like Anxiety. It is essential to work with your physician to find the best and most effective treatment, which may require some trial and error.
Your healthcare provider can work with you to alter your dose or try a different medication to find one that works effectively. If you come off a medicine only to see your symptoms return, it means you need to find a more effective, long-term solution.
It is also helpful to pair pharmacological treatments with other forms of therapy. Psychotherapy may help you learn to cope with Anxiety triggers better than medication alone. In many cases, underlying issues like past traumas must be addressed to treat your concern effectively.
Various severe side effects may occur with the use of Ativan. The side effects of Ativan tend to be stricter with high doses. If it appears that someone is in an overdose state due to taking Ativan or other benzodiazepines, get emergency medical help immediately.Â
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Common side effects |
Severe side effects |
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Lightheadedness |
Aggression, Agitation |
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Sedation |
Convulsions or seizures |
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Unsteadiness |
Suicidal thoughts |
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Drowsiness or sleepiness |
Low blood pressure |
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Dizziness |
Erectile dysfunction |
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Depression |
Swelling on lips/tongue |
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Muscle weakness |
Allergic reactions |
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Changes in libido (sex drive) |
Breathing difficulty (or respiratory failure |
Before taking Ativan, please inform your doctor about your medical history or any medications, as they might interfere with the drug's functioning.
Ativan can interact with several medicines. Different interactions can cause varying effects and interfere with the performance of a drug. It should not be taken with benzodiazepine medications such as Clonazepam, Alprazolam, Midazolam, and Diazepam.Â
Ativan causes drowsiness, so caution should be taken in combination with other sedatives. These include:
Suppose you face challenges finding peace of mind or staying calm and generally free from irrational worries or fears. In that case, you may consider seeking professional help for your Anxiety.
However, it is easy to use Ativan to relieve Anxiety symptoms. It is a benzodiazepine medication for short-term use to cope with extreme Anxiety symptoms. It has powerful effects on the nerves and brain.
However, most users experience "rebound" effects or worsening of the same symptoms that a drug is designed to treat. Seek advice from the medical practitioner for adequate treatment and check with your doctor if you have any concerns about your medicine or if your medical condition does not improve.
