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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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jebz88 | @jebz88 | Sep 17, 2025
In reply to @frouke "I can understand that it’s scary and you’re not alone, I personally don’t want to stop..." + (show)
Profile picture for frouke @frouke

I can understand that it’s scary and you’re not alone, I personally don’t want to stop taking it because it works very well for me, I have tried so many other medications and they just didn’t work for me. I never really knew that there’s a big problem going on until I came here and read all the stories that people told about their experiences, I also realize that they were being pressured by the doctors to get off them and that’s what was causing this. I don’t know why the powers that be are doing this but I’m sure they have their reasons, I don’t want to fix what isn’t broken and hopefully I won’t get pushed into this very difficult situation.

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I can 100% see where your coming from! My anxiety and panic attacks were not a daily occurrence prior to taking this med but if they were i would not want to get off it either! I do believe there are some patients who NEED it daily or prn and that is what its designed for. I guess i just dont inherently believe i am one of those patients. I think i just used it as a crutch for an extended period for everyday stressors and developed a dependency and need to end it before it goes any further. Again, thank you so much for your responses. Sometimes just talking about it with people who understand is helpful!!

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berekann | @berekann | Sep 23, 2025
In reply to @ch2232 "Thank you ladies both for your reply. I've been on lorazepam for probably approaching 2 years...." + (show)
Profile picture for ch2232 @ch2232

Thank you ladies both for your reply. I've been on lorazepam for probably approaching 2 years. For anxiety and trouble sleeping. The first few months I took 2 mg daily in the morning and at night. I quickly stopped the morning and went to 1 mg at night which I had no side effects with. I continued the 1mg at night up until about 4 or 5 months ago. I've been taking 0.5 with no issues. This is just for sleep. I noticed I'm tired without it and at times I fall asleep without taking it and wake up and take it before it's too late. My plan is to take half of the 0.5mg and then take nothing. I am worried though. I guess just afraid to stop it altogether. Scares me. I've heard a lot of bad stories.

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I’ve been taking 1 mg lorazepam for sleep for three weeks. Once in a while .5 mg works other times I need the whole 1 mg which I take in two doses, and even sometimes that takes an hour to work. So my hopes of tapering are diminished. I’m ready to switch back to Ambien. Any thoughts on that from anyone?

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kawanhee | @kawanhee | Sep 24, 2025
In reply to @ch2232 "Thank you ladies both for your reply. I've been on lorazepam for probably approaching 2 years...." + (show)
Profile picture for ch2232 @ch2232

Thank you ladies both for your reply. I've been on lorazepam for probably approaching 2 years. For anxiety and trouble sleeping. The first few months I took 2 mg daily in the morning and at night. I quickly stopped the morning and went to 1 mg at night which I had no side effects with. I continued the 1mg at night up until about 4 or 5 months ago. I've been taking 0.5 with no issues. This is just for sleep. I noticed I'm tired without it and at times I fall asleep without taking it and wake up and take it before it's too late. My plan is to take half of the 0.5mg and then take nothing. I am worried though. I guess just afraid to stop it altogether. Scares me. I've heard a lot of bad stories.

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My suggestion is to wean off slowly. Took me 6 months but I’ve been off for over two years

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kawanhee | @kawanhee | Sep 24, 2025
In reply to @berekann "I’ve been taking 1 mg lorazepam for sleep for three weeks. Once in a while .5..." + (show)
Profile picture for berekann @berekann

I’ve been taking 1 mg lorazepam for sleep for three weeks. Once in a while .5 mg works other times I need the whole 1 mg which I take in two doses, and even sometimes that takes an hour to work. So my hopes of tapering are diminished. I’m ready to switch back to Ambien. Any thoughts on that from anyone?

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It can be done! Don’t give up.

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nanagizer | @nanagizer | Sep 24, 2025
In reply to @kawanhee "My suggestion is to wean off slowly. Took me 6 months but I’ve been off for..." + (show)
Profile picture for kawanhee @kawanhee

My suggestion is to wean off slowly. Took me 6 months but I’ve been off for over two years

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How much were you taking and for how long? How did you taper? Thanks very much. Just starting a taper off 1mg after taking for about 4 years.

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doccharlie | @doccharlie | Sep 24, 2025
In reply to @ch2232 "Has anyone tapered from 0.5mg of lorazepam per day? Can you share your experience? Thank you." + (show)
Profile picture for ch2232 @ch2232

Has anyone tapered from 0.5mg of lorazepam per day? Can you share your experience? Thank you.

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I took lorazepam (0.5 mg once a day) for a year 30 years ago for anxiety. I don't remember doing anything special to get off the regimen but within a year or so I got to on demand 20 pills per year. I usually take this on a trip --- I have been doing that 20/year as needed for several decades with no apparent downside. Sometimes it helps with sleep but not always.

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philipbeamsr | @philipbeamsr | Sep 24, 2025
In reply to @mau "I have been given medications for depression and anxiety for many years and none have worked...." + (show)
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I have been given medications for depression and anxiety for many years and none have worked. I think the psychiatrists were wrong to treat me when I just needed help with learning to get through high stressful life events.
I believe lorazepam is a horrible medication . I have been given it on and off all my life. The doctor gave me the highest dosage you can give as an outpatient, 6mg per day 2 years ago. I have been tapering off slowly at home. I am now at 3 mg per day for almost a month and the withdrawals are very extremely difficult mentally and physically.

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Stay Strong.

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berekann | @berekann | Sep 24, 2025
In reply to @berekann "I’ve been taking 1 mg lorazepam for sleep for three weeks. Once in a while .5..." + (show)
Profile picture for berekann @berekann

I’ve been taking 1 mg lorazepam for sleep for three weeks. Once in a while .5 mg works other times I need the whole 1 mg which I take in two doses, and even sometimes that takes an hour to work. So my hopes of tapering are diminished. I’m ready to switch back to Ambien. Any thoughts on that from anyone?

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My doctor is on vacation so I saw an associate today and she is taking me off the lorazepam. She said take a half tablet again tonight and then switch to doxepin 6 mg..
If that doesn’t work, then I can discuss with my doctor next week about going back to Ambien. Wish me luck!

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berekann | @berekann | Sep 24, 2025
In reply to @ch2232 "Has anyone tapered from 0.5mg of lorazepam per day? Can you share your experience? Thank you." + (show)
Profile picture for ch2232 @ch2232

Has anyone tapered from 0.5mg of lorazepam per day? Can you share your experience? Thank you.

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And does anyone have experience with Doxepin?

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daveshaw | @daveshaw | Sep 25, 2025
In reply to @loladog71248 "Psychiatrist pxed .5 mg twice a day of Ativan in conjunction with 100 mg of bupropion..." + (show)
Profile picture for loladog71248 @loladog71248

Psychiatrist pxed .5 mg twice a day of Ativan in conjunction with 100 mg of bupropion twice a day for major depression and anxiety. I am 77 years of age and the psychiatrist provided NO information or caution with regard to either drug. Aftertaking the meds for 30 days I went online to check on them and only then did I discover that I may already be hooked. I would like to taper off the Ativan, but I am concerned about the side effects and my age. When I mentioned this problem to the psychiatrist who is also in his 70's he said he has never had any patients who had problems and said he has had many patients on Ativan "long term." I was using the Ativan primarily for sleep. I have continuous rumination in my sleep and wake up with the thoughts. Cannot shake them. Anyone else in a similar situation? What do you do?

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I am 74 and have been taking Klonopin for over 30 years. I take 1mg in the morning and 1mg in the evening.
I have talked to my PCP and she has told me because I am very active and have no balance issues and I have never increased my dosage she sees no reason for me to get off it.
I also take Zoloft, Bupropion and Buspar. Obviously I am retired and cut my Zoloft back from 100 mg daily to 50mg with no side effects at all.
I tried to taper to .5 mg in the morning and .5 mg in the evening. That appeared to be way too fast.
I welcome any suggestions from people that have successfully tapered off clonazepam or any other benzo. I am assuming they are all as difficult to taper off of.
Are there any drugs that you can take to make the tapering process easier?
I welcome any thoughts and suggestions because I value opinions that are posted on this site. Anything to make the tapering process easier would be welcomed.
I look forward to hearing from anyone out there.

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