User Reviews for Lorazepam to treat Insomnia
Brand names: Ativan, Ativan Injection, Loreev XR, Lorazepam Intensol
Lorazepam has an average rating of 7.3 out of 10 from a total of 115 reviews for the treatment of Insomnia. 66% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 21% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Lorazepam
"I have insomnia since 2001; 19 years. I tried all natural stuff. Hypnosis. Exercise. Manual labor. Scented candles, etc... Ativan definitely works. However, as time goes on, your body needs more. I expressed the concerned to my doctor of 25 years. He trusts me. He knows I only take at night. I fear addiction. He said, “Well, you will live miserably with all night insomnia every night. Affecting your job, sport participation, exercise and time with family. So; you get addicted. People with diabetes are “addicted” to insulin. What’s the difference. Take the pills. Go to sleep. "
Ativan (lorazepam) "After contracting a virus/ assumed COVID in May, I have had chronic insomnia. I’ve tried tons of sleep medications and some would give me a few hours of sleep, other only a couple hours. Then I tired Ativan! I got 6 hours my first time taking 2mg. I’m now sleeping 8 hours usually and I’m down to 1.25 mg. It’s been a literal lifesaver. I don’t want to be dependent on any drug, but when it comes to survival and wellbeing, I’m just very glad Ativan exists!"
Frequently asked questions
"I started taken lorazepam 15 yrs ago. I was having severe panic attacks driving myself to E.R. several times !! Not sleep for literally 3 days Then with great reluctance one night in E.R. for the one hundredth time in full blown panicky. Th RN gave me this tiny white pill. I held it in my hand for an hour scared to take it. But man am I glad I did. I have been taking 1 mg Lorazepam for 15 yrs they work great. 30 pills lasts me 4 to 5 weeks I have never increased dosage and they work GREAT!! A little groggy in the morning but so what better then not sleeping for days and full blown panic. I do go 48 hrs sometimes without taking one or take one then day off then another. Cause everyone says thy are highly addictive. But I also take one everyday for months These things saved my life and I will take one everyday or every other on occasion for the rest of my life!! My Dr. Said DO NOT LET FEAR of addiction stop you from taking one."
Ativan (lorazepam) "I am writing this review to help those who may be experiencing insomnia, anxiety and depression. Mine was the result of extreme past and present trauma. I stopped sleeping completely virtually overnight after a series of traumatic events. I did not sleep for several or more months and began to loose weight rapidly I went from 60 kg down to 38 kg as a result and became very unwell. After taking myself to hospital numerous times I did not find adequate help for my condition there. Eventually I met a very efficient GP and psychiatrist which after much trial and error found help from being prescribed a combination of amitriptyline and ativan. Although I am still on the road to recovery, this medication combination has helped me immensely. I sincerely hope that no one on earth has to experience the living hell that I did, only to find help when it was almost too late."
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Ativan (lorazepam) "Ativan ruined my life. My psychiatrist prescribed me 2mg to take every night while trying out an anti-depressant. After about 7 weeks, I was addicted to Ativan, and when I tried to stop taking it, I had seizures and panic attacks. I had to keep taking it in order to stabilize. Then I had to switch to Valium and slowly taper off the benzodiazapines in order to avoid another seizure. It took me a year and a half to taper off, and I now have chronic fear, anxiety, tinnitus, and insomnia. I wish I never touched this drug."
Ativan (lorazepam) "I was prescribed Ativan (aka Lorezapam) because I had a head injury and my Doctor presumably thought that I had a very high level of anxiety (I wasn't getting enough sleep with the head injury so the Doctors perception was incorrect), but once I started using Ativan sleep woes disappeared completely of which I had always had problems staying asleep for virtually all of my life ! Ativan (Lorezapam) puts you into a "deep" sleep, you don't wake up during the middle of the night (Or late night for that matter!), cuts dreaming down to virtually zero and is THE BEST SLEEP MEDICATION I HAVE "EVER" SEEN !!! My prescription was for 1mg and to be taken 1 hour before going to sleep which is exactly what I did ! Effective Rating = "10" !"
Ativan (lorazepam) "I was given Ativan for occasional use. I try to use it once every week or once every ten days for sleep. (0.5mg). I'm lucky that I don't have to use it any more regularly because I don't work right now. I find that it helps me relax to sleep, and I wake up feeling and looking rested. The looking rested part is important because it tells me how good it is at actually calming the anxiety. I know that when my anxiety is high, even if I sleep 10hrs, I'll wake up tired and looking tired. But I think this medicine actually does a good job of getting rid of that anxiety, so your body can rest and get into some level of "deep" sleep. But absolutely, really only use it on the day that you must."
"I have been using this med for sleep, now, for about 30 years, believe it or not. Started on it with anxiety attacks and continued on it for lack of sleep. I take 1 mg. every nite and that is it. There are a few nites when it doesn't work, but for the most part, I am sound asleep within 1/hr. I should take it earlier, but I take it about 10:30 or so, read, turn off the lite and am soon asleep. I am somewhat sleepy still during the day, but that's better than being exhausted for days on end for lack of sleep."
"It works GREAT!! I'm 32 yo. I have always been a very light sleeper. Toss and turn alll night. Anxiety causes me to lay there and constantly think about everything. I've been on Xanax and too many to name. None work as good as this. So happy every day that I finally get a full nights sleep with no tossing and turning. No side effects. Highly recommend it!!"
Ativan (lorazepam) "I find when I have those nights that my brain just can't settle down, either a .5 or 1 mg Ativan will help me relax just enough to get a restful sleep. Usually I feel totally energized and fresh the next morning. This is the only thing I have found in almost 20 years that works. However, I can only use it on my worst nights, as it is addictive. That's the only drawback."
"Have taken for 15-20 years. Cannot sleep without it. Have had no side effects or interactions with other medicines, etc. Am a moderate drinker, but take no other drugs that would interact with Lorazepam. Highly recommend. I take 1 mg about 30 minutes before bedtime."
Ativan (lorazepam) "I have been using Ativan for sleep over the last few months and I must say it's been a real help. I strongly recommend that you only take it two to three times a week maximum otherwise you could become addicted to it and it's effects might no longer work. Moderation is the key here."
"I have very loud tinnitus (hissing-ringing in ears) from exposure to noise in submarine engine rooms for several years. I take 1/2 mg lorazepam at bedtime to let "sleep find me". I have been taking this for 4 years and have NO after effects. I wake up feeling awake and good. Some sleep meds leave me feeling "drugged" in the morning. No so for Ativan. It works well for me and I can stop (have done so at times) with no withdrawal symptoms other than not sleeping well. Good stuff for me. I am not an addictive type and went thru high school, Navy, college and 40 years of work and have NEVER used or tried recreational drugs. Thanks."
"Works like magic when you need sleep or have anxiety 0.5 is all I need I get the best sleep with it. Seems like I can never fall asleep at night I go back and forth in my mind about taking it because I don't wanna get addicted . But I need sleep so I take it"
"I had trouble getting to sleep, getting a restful sleep and waking up after a few hours and sometimes could not get back to sleep. Even when exhausted my mind was racing a few minutes after I went to bed. I was constantly tired, had no energy to do much during the day. I was prescribed lorazepam, lowest dose to take at bedtime as needed. However, after a year I was having so many up and down days because I wasn't sleeping well every night (tried to take it twice a week, because I don't like to take medications) that my Doctor said to take it every night which I started to do in Dec 2015 and I have had the best sleep I've had in six years. I have fibromyalgia which contributes to the sleep problem. I don't have any side effects."
"DO NOT take benzos for insomnia - they work great, until you reach tolerance, and then you go into full withdrawal unless you up the dose considerably. By then you probably will have already found the dirty underside of this terrible drug, which is agoraphobia, brutal insomnia, loss of motivation and stunning depression. Next, you'll find out that you cannot withdraw from this drug in a reasonable manner, and the required tapering-off methods could take years. During withdrawal you will have the worst insomnia imaginable, for months on end, and nothing will relieve it, except more benzos than any doctor will prescribe. Don't even start on this evil drug. If you think this is an overreaction, Google "benzodiazepine withdrawal"."
Ativan (lorazepam) "I've been on this nightly for about 4 years now because of back pain I don't sleep well. It does a good job of helping me sleep but now it is causing my eyes to become very dry so I will look for an alternative."
Ativan (lorazepam) "I am a addict in recovery and have been clean for 10 years, I have been prescribed Ativan for both anxiety and sleep, I am a 3rd shift worker and feel this medication can be "psychological addicting" so I do my best to always check my motive for taking it, I try not to take it more than 3 days in a row and (only once a day)."
"Gave me my life back. When my insomnia kicked into full gear I tried every natural method I could for only a temporary fix. After years of running on no sleep I ended up in an emergency room where I was given this medicine and have been taking it ever since. I am able to take it right when I go to bed and awaken normally. 1.5 mg."
"Ativan/Lorazipam provides a very sound, sustained sleep with few if any dreams. I have never had problems getting to sleep, but staying asleep was a real issue. Waking up at 4AM with an active mind and watching the sun rise knowing that I would crash at midday was a pain. Ativan (.5 mg or 1 mg splurge) helps me sleep until the alarm and I never feel weird or dopey in the AM. HOWEVER, be aware that your body and mind get conditioned, so don't take it nightly (or sleep won't come without it). The pros are the effectiveness and the lack of side affects. The cons are dependency/poor sleep without it. I use it maybe three times per week and it's fine, alternating a night or two. Never taken it in the day, likely never will."
Ativan (lorazepam) "Ativan is the absolute best sleep medication. I sleep better the whole night and wake up refreshed. However, I try not to use it more often than twice a week. When taken more than 4 or more nights in a row and then stopped, I have severe withdrawal symptoms."
Ativan (lorazepam) "I've always been reluctant to take benzos as clonopin was a nightmare for me. I gained weight and just didn't care what I put in my mouth. Ativan has been a life saver for insomnia or severe panic attack. Though I only take it at night 2mg. Sometimes I skip it. Its main use for me is chronic insomnia and nightmares. It's the only one that helps me sleep soundly. I try not to completely rely on it. I understand if I quit taking it my insomnia may come back due to my stress. If my life was better, I believe it could work short term as well. I highly recommend it as a sleep aid. I would use it just enough to get your natural rhythm of sleep back. It's long acting which makes a dose more effective at continuing to work."
"My problem is waking up after 2 hrs deep sleep and unable to get back to sleep. Was prescribed lorazapam 1mg. I cut the pill in half and lay it on my end table. When I awaken from my 2hrs sleep I reach out grab one of the halves and back to sleep for 4 hrs. Generally wake up refreshed. Works well for me. I don't take this on a regular basis. 30 pills will last me 3mos."
Ativan (lorazepam) "I have been taking 1 1/2 mg every other night for sleep for the past 3 years. I have tried my other drugs for sleep and ativan is the only one that works consistently. Because of its addiction potential I take it only every other night. Also I have not had to increase the dosage in 3 years, which I believe is a result of not taking it every night. It is easier to tolerate my non-Ativan night of insomnia when I know I will be sleeping well the next night."
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
Learn more about Insomnia
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- Benzodiazepines: Overview and Use
- Sleep (Insomnia) Medications and Alcohol Interactions
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Ativan, Loreev XR, Lorazepam Intensol
"I have taken 1mg at night off and on for over 20 years. Only med that works for me. I feel great in the morning. Not dizzy or confused which I am with no sleep! I will be 72 this year and want to keep taking it while I have some active years left. What do you think?"