Ativan and Tiredness: What Users Say

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 9, 2025

For Panic Disorder "For me, Ativan is the best benzodiazepine. I've also taken Xanax (doesn't touch me) and Klonopin (helps but makes me very tired). Ativan doesn't make me sleepy, and it not only takes away the anxiety but also the depression that comes with it. I feel like I can think clearly on it, and it improves my mood. I dissolve 1 mg under my tongue, about 10 times a year. Since I trust it completely to prevent panic attacks, I was recently able to fly internationally for the first time in the 12 years I've had panic disorder. I actually enjoyed the flight! Thanks to Ativan, I now feel daring enough to visit my brother, who's lived overseas since 2019."

• kst...
• August 16, 2016

For Anxiety "I was super against taking medication. I've started dealing with anxiety (some depression) for a while now. I got prescribed Ativan months ago and never took it. I thought I could handle myself again, but then my relationship started to fail because of my overthinking. I went back to the doctor and decided to try it. She prescribed me 0.50 three times a day. I took a full one at night after a bad panic attack, and within 30 minutes, I was calm and slept through the entire night. I have only been taking a half in the morning and mid-afternoon and a full at night because it does make you feel tired. My brain is in a slight fog, but nothing crazy, I still know what's going on, though :) Give it a try if you are suffering. You will know after one."

• Liz...
• March 15, 2016

For Anxiety "I took my first 1 mg dose recently, and I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised. I was prescribed Ativan to take only as needed on the cusp of an anxiety attack, as I've been having a few lately. It absolutely took the sting out of the anxiety and left me feeling really chilled out, to the point of that really comfortable tiredness when you're super relaxed. I haven't felt that in a long time. I didn't have any gross side effects (except for the tiredness) and was able to enjoy the rest of my day :)"

• Owl...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 30, 2016

For Anxiety "Ativan is very good for anxiety. The trick is not to take it too often. I've found that I get used to dosages fast. I've also found that on the day following when I take it, I'm more tired, listless, and depressed. It's something to watch out for."

• Bru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2018

For Anxiety "I highly recommend this drug. It's a miracle worker! I started having anxiety after my boyfriend and I broke up, I would cry at night and have panic attacks. I only take this drug when I need severe relief, and I'm so thankful it's available. Try it just once if you are having bad anxiety, if it's not for you, then switch. I was nervous trying this because I didn't want to feel high when going on a benzo drug. You definitely don't feel high, you just feel tired and oddly 'okay'!"

• Mic...
• June 24, 2020

For Panic Disorder "Medication works great and how it is supposed to. I was on generic lorazepam and would find the quality would differ based on manufacturer and it wouldn’t affect me. After switching to brand, the effects are more consistent and it seems so much more potent. It was a fight getting my insurance to completely cover it, but it was worth it. 0.5 mg, and I’m so tired and don’t have any anxiety to worry about. Calms my panic and helps with nausea quite a bit."

• rai...
• May 14, 2015

For Anxiety "Lifesaver for adrenaline rush feelings. The smallest dose cut in half makes me feel calm, slows my racing heart and heart palpitations, and puts me to sleep. I couldn't have survived Lyme disease without it. The only bad things are it will make you tired, and after being on it for 2 weeks straight, you're likely to have rebound anxiety. If you have long-term anxiety, SSRIs are the best choice."

• Emm...
• November 29, 2018

For Anxiety "I've been on 0.5 mg of Ativan. This is my second day. It instantly started helping me overall in every way. But I get really tired, but that's OK. I'll deal with that. I've never been on a nerve medicine before. I simply love it. It has turned a light on in my brain. I feel great and can handle things so much better. It's great."

• joh...
• March 1, 2010

For Anxiety "I was a major addict (meaning like 5 blunts a day) and was having trouble quitting. Every time I would stop smoking, I would have major anxiety attacks. I would get super angry over small things, snap quickly, yell at my girlfriend, and crave smoking like crazy because I knew the anxiety came from not smoking. As soon as I started smoking again, I would feel fine. So I quit again, but this time I started an Ativan regimen and am now smoke-free. The side effects of feeling tired or a little lazy don't compare to the side effects of smoking, being a bum, and having no motivation. I wonder if this would work for cigarette smokers?"

• Mis...
• July 27, 2015

For Panic Disorder "I started to take Ativan for severe panic attacks. It did calm me down, but left me extremely tired in the daytime. I was so tired that I was not able to function well at work. It was helpful at night, though. Also, I was told that I could not take this medication for long-term use. Eventually, I switched to Celexa and got relief that allowed me to not feel as tired."

• cre...
• January 12, 2012

For Anxiety "Ativan 0.5 mg calms me down considerably within 30 minutes, but the side effects are so bad that I can't continue to take it. I experienced EXTREME loss of energy, tiredness, laziness, apathy, and an increase in appetite. This might be okay for someone who's at home trying to recover from panic attacks, but not for me. I work 5 days a week, and this past week that I was only taking 1 x 0.5 mg pill a day was the absolute worst week I've ever had at work, living in a fog and totally wiped out of energy. I hardly got ANYTHING done, which is totally out of character for me. Also, when this medicine wears off in a few hours, it makes me very irritable and nervous."

• cre...
• January 12, 2012

For Anxiety "Ativan 0.5 mg calms me down considerably within 30 minutes, but the side effects are so bad that I can't continue to take it. I experienced EXTREME loss of energy, tiredness, laziness, apathy, and an increase in appetite. This might be okay for someone who's at home trying to recover from panic attacks, but not for me. I work 5 days a week, and this past week that I was only taking 1 x 0.5 mg pill a day was the absolute worst week I've ever had at work, living in a fog and totally wiped out of energy. I hardly got ANYTHING done, which is totally out of character for me. Also, when this medicine wears off in a few hours, it makes me very irritable and nervous."

• Kat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 7, 2017

For Status Epilepticus "This med works well for calming my head after a seizure(s). I have partial seizures. Started using it 2 years ago, 'as needed.' Recently, I'm attempting to discontinue any use of this medicine. My dosage is only 0.5 sublingual. The withdrawal symptoms are absolutely brutal. It's a low dose. I'm not sure if my sensitivity to medication and time taken affect the detox. I didn't expect the nightmares, nausea, exhaustion, fuzzy head. I am glad this med helped when needed, but can say, I'll never return to using it."

• Lan...
• January 8, 2012

For Anxiety "Ativan always helps calm me down 0.5 mg dose, but when it wears off, it makes me a little extra nervous. But all in all, a very effective medicine. Side effect is drowsiness and laziness, haha. But I function so much better when my mind doesn't have the anxiety."