lorazepam

[folmcb]

HI, I take prozac daily, but still have panic attacks and real unease throughout the day.  my doc put me on lorazepam to help with it, and said take @ 1 mg pill 3 times a day....it helps, but makes me so super tired!  is this normal procedure for doctors?  the prozac is the best antidepressant i think i've ever been on...makes me feel alot like myself if you know what i mean, but why am i having to pair it with lorazepam?  am i wrong in thinking prozac is doing such a great job?

[nursegirl6572]

How long have you been on the Prozac? If not long, you need to give it some time, it can take about 4-6 weeks (sometimes up to 8) to reach a desired level of effectiveness.  If you've been on it a while, you may need a higher dose.  That happens from time to time with SSRI antidepressants.

Short acting benzos, like Ativan are best used as a rescue med, taken only when anxiety is very high.  Taking it regularly will lead to the medication being less effective, and also as you describe, unwanted effects, such as drowsiness.  I've been taking "as needed" Ativan since I was 18, I couldn't take it several times a day, I would be wiped out.  Definitely talk to your doctor about these concerns.

Let us know how you're doing!

[allmymarbles]

I take Xanax for panic attacks only on as as needed basis. If I were to take it on a maintenance basis it would not be as effective and I would be constantly drowsy.  I don't know if this would be true for you, but you might want to ask your doctor about it.

[BluCrystal]

Hi.  Everyone reacts differently to different meds.  This is why we have to run the gamut of 'try this' and 'try that', and it takes such a long time to find the correct med-mix.  You may just need a milder anti-anxiety med you can take as needed.  Ask your doctor about Vistiril. - Blu