How did you successfully taper off of 0.5 lorazepam (Ativan)?

Attached the the weaning schedule I followed. It was much slower than doctors recommended. I have been successfully off it since June. For the record, I’m not a medical professional, but thus worked for me. Good luck!!

Thanks so much and glad you've been successful. FYI, I believe there is a typo on (5) meant to be .125 not .235, (or .25) if the same pattern continues. And can you clarify if each number in ( ) is a week or is that a step every 2-3 weeks, seems like its a week and the dose then reduces every 2-3 weeks if its a week and total taper off is 8 weeks...correct? Be well.

Could anyone specifically address the topic of weaning off of .5 of Ativan. A family member is on a number (too many) sleep meds, and wants to stop Ativan. What would be a reasonable approach if one was on for just about a year or so, initially taking 1mg, but now taking only .5 for a few months. Much online seems to only address higher doses...Can someone comment on perhaps going from .5 to .375 to .25 to .125 to stop make sense with at least a week between changes if no withdrawal is experienced. I'll ask another related question in another post, but any guidance appreciated.

I think the reason not one is addressing .5 mg is because it such a miniscule dosage. I take .5 mg Ativan on AS NEEDED basis. I have gone weeks without taking it with no noticeable withdrawal. And the suggestion to chop up these .5 tablets doesn't really work. They are so tiny you can barely manipulate them much less cut them into fourths. Ativan comes in 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg and some are prescribed two or three "2s" or more. That's where tapering really comes in. Anyway, also get professional medical advice when dealing with psychotropics, as several have suggested.

I think the reason not one is addressing .5 mg is because it such a miniscule dosage. I take .5 mg Ativan on AS NEEDED basis. I have gone weeks without taking it with no noticeable withdrawal. And the suggestion to chop up these .5 tablets doesn't really work. They are so tiny you can barely manipulate them much less cut them into fourths. Ativan comes in 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg and some are prescribed two or three "2s" or more. That's where tapering really comes in. Anyway, also get professional medical advice when dealing with psychotropics, as several have suggested.

I must disagree a bit....5 mg Atavan or Lorazepam can be quite problematic if you've taken it once every day for years like I have. I got on it after heart problems put me in the hospital and I've been taking it for 15 years. So it's a matter of time, dosage, and frequency. Taking .5 every day for sleep has become a habit that I can't kick easily. It's part psychological and part physiological. What seems like a small dose to some is a bigger problem for others. I appreciate any advice I can get on this blog. Thanks.

I must disagree a bit....5 mg Atavan or Lorazepam can be quite problematic if you've taken it once every day for years like I have. I got on it after heart problems put me in the hospital and I've been taking it for 15 years. So it's a matter of time, dosage, and frequency. Taking .5 every day for sleep has become a habit that I can't kick easily. It's part psychological and part physiological. What seems like a small dose to some is a bigger problem for others. I appreciate any advice I can get on this blog. Thanks.

Agreed - I took 1 mg at bedtime (Klonopin) for many years and when I started my taper off, the steps down to .75, .5 and .375mg were easy and I stayed at each dose for about 6 weeks. When I got to .25mg, my withdrawals started to show up, which were insomnia, jitters, startling easily, irritability. That was the hardest and when I went to .125mg, it was like taking nothing, so I stopped. Your body recognizes it when you don't have this drug in your system. I'm slowly feeling better after 1 month completely off. Insomnia is a problem but not every night, and I find that a CBD/THC gummy for sleep is very helpful. I also take 7.5mg of Remeron, but I don't think it does much for my sleep. I can still have a completely sleepless night on the Remeron. Good luck to you!