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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kawanhee | @kawanhee | Jul 17, 2025

In reply to @philipbeamsr "What is the taper plan?" + (show)

This is what I did:
Ativan taper
Reduce every two to three weeks:
Cut pill in half, then quarters
(1) .5, .5, .25, .5, .5, .25…
(2) .5, .25, .5, .25….
(3) .5, .25, .25, .5, .25, .25….
(4) .25 every day
(5) .25, .25, .125, .25, .25, .125…
(6) .25, .125, .25, .125…
(7) .25, .125, .125, .25, .125, .125…
(8) .125 every day
(9) .125, .125, no pill, .125, .125, no pill
(10) .125, no pill, .125, no pill
(11) .125, no pill, no pill, .125, no pill, no pill
(12) Done!!

philipbeamsr | @philipbeamsr | Jul 17, 2025

In reply to @kawanhee "This is what I did: Ativan taper Reduce every two to three weeks: Cut pill in..." + (show)

I am a bit confused, as to how many days in each period you made the changes. Can you show a bit more as to the days and how often to alternate?
Thank you very much

philipbeamsr | @philipbeamsr | Jul 17, 2025

In reply to @kawanhee "This is what I did: Ativan taper Reduce every two to three weeks: Cut pill in..." + (show)

The 1-12 sections are each 2-3 weeks? And how did you alternate for the whole period each time? I am at .75-1mg and unsure how to do this. I think I am trying too fast as I gave alot if anxiety and cannot focus. How long were you taking a benzo?

jmaclellan | @jmaclellan | Jul 18, 2025

In reply to @kawanhee "This is what I did: Ativan taper Reduce every two to three weeks: Cut pill in..." + (show)

how long were you on? im now at 0.25mg only at night . was on for 2 and half to 3 months. now having some disruption in sleep. think ill give it a good 10 days then go to 0. 125? never seen a taper bounce back and fourth. did it keep withdrawl symptoms away?

nanagizer | @nanagizer | Jul 18, 2025

In reply to @kawanhee "This is what I did: Ativan taper Reduce every two to three weeks: Cut pill in..." + (show)

Thank you so much for sharing this. I am not quite sure what the numbers 1-12 stand for? Some of them appear to be for 6 days? others just 4? I am also tapering off 1mg so would I just follow this the same way and reduce by 1/4 each level? Thanks so much for your help. I really want to get this drug out of my life for good! < 3

frouke | @frouke | Jul 18, 2025

In reply to @nanagizer "Thank you so much for sharing this. I am not quite sure what the numbers 1-12..." + (show)

If you go on YouTube and search for help with weaning yourself off benzodiazepine, you’ll find many people giving advice on how to taper slowly…also, there’s a book called The Ashton Manual, it’s the best information you need to help with tapering off the medication, you can also get it online for free, best of luck with your health.

philipbeamsr | @philipbeamsr | Jul 20, 2025

In reply to @kawanhee "This is what I did: Ativan taper Reduce every two to three weeks: Cut pill in..." + (show)

Can you please give a more detailed breakdown of the length of days of each drop and so forth. It would be a great help.
Thank You.

shellsmore | @shellsmore | Jul 27, 2025

I’ve been on lorazepam for 20 years I was on 128 pills a month now on 60 it’s taken years to do this I was trying 3 pills a month but my blood pressure started bouncing to high. And am currently stabilizing to 1 mg daily and tapper 1 pill a month for me this is only way to tapper since I’ve been on it so long I’m under doctors care it’s not a one size fits all drug it’s how your own body responds to tapper it has to be slow my son stopped suddenly off benzodiazepines and had seizures so I’m trying slow and steady I’m proud of how far I come but still need to be vigilant about getting off I hope this helps.