Has anybody successfully tapered off of lorazepam (Ativan)?

Posted by healthlady22 @healthlady22, Feb 5, 2019

Has anybody successfully managed to successfully wean off of Lorazepam?
If so how was it done?
And if it was by way of switching to other drugs, were you then able to taper off of those entirely under a doctor's guidance?
My husband has been on Lorazepam for 16 years
He did well for 14 years, but dragged his feet about trying to withdraw while he was feeling better.
In May he had a relapse of anxiety, and insomnia, with brain fog, heart palpitations, and more.
Currently he's doing better, thinking better, but still feels like crap a large part of the time, can't sleep without the drug, can't nap.and still struggles with anxiety.
At this point, I believe it's the drug that is actually causing the problem. Currently he's doing 1 mg at bedtime and 3/4 mg when he wakes up at 2:30 am.
I know it takes 2 years for the brains GABA receptors to normalize after taking Benzodiazepines.
Also know it's really hard to withdraw, has to be done extremely slowly, and the side effects are exactly the same as the symptoms it is meant to help.
My goal is to eventually wean him off of all drugs as functional health tests show they block his nutritional absorption and may be damaging his intestinal lining. I would like to be able to repair his health using nutrition, supplements, and neurotransmitter amino acids.
All feedback is welcomed!
.

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shellsmore | @shellsmore | Jul 28, 2025

In reply to @lizjlb "is this for sleep or anxiety?" + (show)

This was for anxiety I have ptsd

glammygrammy | @glammygrammy | Jul 28, 2025

In reply to @shellsmore "This was for anxiety I have ptsd" + (show)

I have. I did it by cutting down really slowly until I was taking 1/2mg every third day. I did not feel any withdrawal symptoms but still have to struggle sometimes with not taking it. I win the victory by remembering when I took it I kept having to increase the dose for it to work and also my family doctor said it effects memory.

ggj196658 | @ggj196658 | Aug 20, 2025

In reply to @ch2232 "Has anyone tapered from 0.5mg of lorazepam per day? Can you share your experience? Thank you." + (show)

Is it safe to tapper off 3 milagrams of Ativan to 2 milligrams a day

ggj1966123 | @ggj1966123 | Aug 20, 2025

In reply to @ggj196658 "Is it safe to tapper off 3 milagrams of Ativan to 2 milligrams a day" + (show)

Hi , is it safe to tapper from 3milagrams of Ativan a day to 2 a day

frouke | @frouke | Aug 20, 2025

In reply to @ggj1966123 "Hi , is it safe to tapper from 3milagrams of Ativan a day to 2 a..." + (show)

Hi, it’s possible but not a good idea because it’s a big step in a short time, I would like to ask you how long have you been taking Ativan and perhaps what doctor prescribed it for you and why, lots of questions but relevant. At this point I’m inclined to say that you need to see your doctor and discuss your decision to taper off the medication and maybe get some help with it. There are many discussions about this subject here and you can find many other people who have been doing this too, best wishes.

kawanhee | @kawanhee | Aug 21, 2025

In reply to @frouke "Hi, it’s possible but not a good idea because it’s a big step in a short..." + (show)

Agree. And you need a very slow taper.

ggj1966123 | @ggj1966123 | Aug 21, 2025

In reply to @ggj196658 "Is it safe to tapper off 3 milagrams of Ativan to 2 milligrams a day" + (show)

I agree on the slow taper, I was going to do the 2 milagrams for a few months , I just was wondering if it was safe to go from 3 milagrams a day to 2 a day

frouke | @frouke | Aug 21, 2025

In reply to @ggj1966123 "I agree on the slow taper, I was going to do the 2 milagrams for a..." + (show)

If you’re going to do a slow taper then you wouldn’t want to decrease your dose by a whole pill, it might cause you a very rough time when the withdrawal sets in. I tried to decrease my dose by half a pill, 0.5mg. and after a week or so I started feeling very sick but that’s me, perhaps your experience will be more tolerable, either way you should be doing this with the help of a doctor who is experienced with benzodiazepines, best wishes.

frouke | @frouke | Aug 23, 2025

In reply to @ggj196658 "Is it safe to tapper off 3 milagrams of Ativan to 2 milligrams a day" + (show)

My sentiments exactly, this is why I said that a doctor experienced in benzodiazepines should be involved with the taper. The Ashton Manuals is the best example for doing a proper withdrawal and I too would highly suggest using it for the best possible outcome.

jmaclellan | @jmaclellan | Aug 24, 2025

In reply to @frouke "If you’re going to do a slow taper then you wouldn’t want to decrease your dose..." + (show)

this made feel better. i was on only 0.5 for 2 weeks, then tapered to 0.25 . it was just for sleep..my mistake was i stayed there for a month. i then tapered to 0.12.5 for about two weeks. i was fine till 7 days after, then the anxiety and insomina started. using hydroxline .25 to .37.5 and once a full 50 mg to treat the anxiety/sleep at night. learning cbt at the same time. hoping to reduce the hydroxline to only on nights i work. i guess for now its better than the ativan. i was surprissed it took 7 days to start issues. But so far im getting thru. One day i hope to sleep with no meds!