Tapering from Ativan

[susalita]

I had been taking Ativan .5mg 2 x day for approximately 10 weeks due to anxiety over a medical condition.  I realized I needed to get off the medication.  I'd been taking it for too long and my anxiety was increasing due, I believe, to tolerance/rebound even while still taking the Ativan.  I did not want to start down the slippery slope of increasing doses.  I started a taper two weeks ago:  Week 1:  .5mg night/.25mg day.  Week 2:  .25mg night/.25mg day.  Week 3:  .25mg night/.125mg day.  Week 4:  .125mg night/.125mg day.  Week 5:  .125mg night.  Then finish.

Is this a reasonable taper to follow given my dose and length of use?  I have been experiencing some mild withdrawal symptoms already which come and go, plus I'm still experiencing quite a lot of anxiety which I am hoping will diminish after I'm off the Ativan.  Thank you.

[susalita]

Do you mean if I have problems after I've finished the taper, go back to .125mg every other day for a week then stop?

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Yes, that is a very good schedule...if you have any problems, go back to the lowest dose every other day for a week, then stop.