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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Tapering from Ativan
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Tapering from Ativan
by susalita, Nov 27, 2007 10:41AM
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.
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.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Nov 27, 2007 11:22AM
, Nov 27, 2007 11:22AMTo: susalita
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.
Member Comments (2)
by susalita, Nov 27, 2007 12:08PM
To: Dr. Gould
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?
