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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by J on April 1, 2001, at 11:06:19
I've been taking 4mg of Ativan for 1 1/2 years. I know that after chronic treatment at such a high dose, my body is dependent on it. So how do I go about stopping it? I've been taking new medication which eliminates any need to continue with Ativan as treatment. I just want to get off it, finally. If anyone has any experiences to share, or links, etc. to websites with info, I'd appreciate it.
Keep fighting,
J.
Posted by Daveman on April 1, 2001, at 14:15:30
In reply to How do I withdraw from Ativan?, posted by J on April 1, 2001, at 11:06:19
Hi J:
Ativan is a short-acting benzo, as is Xanax. Ativan has a half-life of 8-24 hrs. The way I got off Xanax (admittedly at a smaller dose and a much shorter period of use) was to switch to Klonopin, which has a much longer half-life (19-60 hours). I was able to take only one dose per 24 hours and cover all Xanax withdrawal symptoms. Klonopin is more potent than Ativan, so you can probably take less than your Ativan dose and still cover all withdrawal symptoms. Then, you taper the Klonopin slowly, say by .25 every other week (due to your length of use, you'll need to go slower than I did). Good luck!
Dave
> I've been taking 4mg of Ativan for 1 1/2 years. I know that after chronic treatment at such a high dose, my body is dependent on it. So how do I go about stopping it? I've been taking new medication which eliminates any need to continue with Ativan as treatment. I just want to get off it, finally. If anyone has any experiences to share, or links, etc. to websites with info, I'd appreciate it.
>
> Keep fighting,
> J.
Posted by jimmygold70 on April 1, 2001, at 16:25:11
In reply to How do I withdraw from Ativan?, posted by J on April 1, 2001, at 11:06:19
Well, do 2 things:
1) Equip with clonidine. It makes side effects , esp. tremor, somewhat milder. Inderal might also do.
2) Add Tegretol. Makes tapering easier. Keep taking it for a while after you kick the habit.
3) Taper VERY slowly, over a couple of months.
4) In addition to the above, you might like to substitute ativan to a longer-acting benzodiazepine, i.e. Valium.Take Care,
Jimmy> I've been taking 4mg of Ativan for 1 1/2 years. I know that after chronic treatment at such a high dose, my body is dependent on it. So how do I go about stopping it? I've been taking new medication which eliminates any need to continue with Ativan as treatment. I just want to get off it, finally. If anyone has any experiences to share, or links, etc. to websites with info, I'd appreciate it.
>
> Keep fighting,
> J.
Posted by J on April 1, 2001, at 20:15:32
In reply to Re: How do I withdraw from Ativan?, posted by jimmygold70 on April 1, 2001, at 16:25:11
Here's a very good paper I found on withdrawing from benzos:
Detoxification from Benzodiazepines: Schedules and Strategies
http://www.vh.org/Providers/Conferences/CPS/33.html
Posted by Amy Blue on April 1, 2001, at 21:50:44
In reply to Re: How do I withdraw from Ativan? » J, posted by Daveman on April 1, 2001, at 14:15:30
J - I agree w/ Dave. I am currently detoxing from Xanax as well, by using Klonopin. Desperate to get off the benzos, and I think Dave's advice is correct based on what I've read and how my pdoc is treating me. I am taking Klonopin to get me through, then will slowly taper down, hopefully to no Klonopin. Like you, J, I hope to be on another med that addresses my anxiety.
Good luck. I am at 3 months w/ no Xanax and still climbing the walls sometimes, but for the most part I am okay.
Amy
> Hi J:
>
> Ativan is a short-acting benzo, as is Xanax. Ativan has a half-life of 8-24 hrs. The way I got off Xanax (admittedly at a smaller dose and a much shorter period of use) was to switch to Klonopin, which has a much longer half-life (19-60 hours). I was able to take only one dose per 24 hours and cover all Xanax withdrawal symptoms. Klonopin is more potent than Ativan, so you can probably take less than your Ativan dose and still cover all withdrawal symptoms. Then, you taper the Klonopin slowly, say by .25 every other week (due to your length of use, you'll need to go slower than I did). Good luck!
>
> Dave
This is the end of the thread.
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