Lorazepam and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• Ink...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 25, 2019

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I’ve been taking Ativan on and off for the past 9 years. Started on 0.5 mg, moved up to 1 mg per day as needed. I’ve heard and read about addiction horror stories, but I’ve personally never had to up my dose (except going from 0.5 to 1 mg) and haven’t had the urge to take more than prescribed. I suffer from major depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Ativan helps my anxiety immensely. Especially useful for full-blown panic attacks - within half an hour I feel normal again. At first it made me sleepy, but as my body got used to it, that side effect went away. There was a time when I was having debilitating anxiety on a daily basis, and my pdoc advised me that I could take up to 4 mg per day. Thankfully, I haven’t had the need to take that much. Overall, Ativan is a great medicine. I could go days without taking it with no adverse effects (i.e. withdrawal). This medicine works well for me. Good luck!!"

• Kra...
• November 9, 2019

For Insomnia "I started taking lorazepam 15 years ago. I was having severe panic attacks, driving myself to the E.R. several times. Not sleeping for literally 3 days. Then, with great reluctance, one night in the E.R. for the hundredth time in full-blown panic. The 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 years. They work great. 30 pills last me 4 to 5 weeks. I have never increased dosage and they work great. A little groggy in the morning, but so what, better than not sleeping for days and in full-blown panic. I do go 48 hours sometimes without taking one or take one day off then another, because everyone says they are highly addictive. But I also take one every day for months. These things saved my life, and I will take one every day or every other on occasion for the rest of my life. My doctor said, “Do not let fear of addiction stop you from taking one.”"

• Spe...
• August 8, 2019

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Lost my husband suddenly right next to me of a stroke during the night. It was a shock. I have PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Use Ativan in tiny dose to sleep. Do wake up very drowsy and super sensitive to meds. Can be addictive but not for me. Calms me while grieving."

• Mni...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 5, 2020

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Has gotten me through many sleepless nights and panic attacks. I only take it if I absolutely need to, to help me at night time when my anxiety is at its worst and only a dose of 0.5 mg. It almost always makes me sleepy and helps me sleep, and normally I don't feel too groggy the next day."

• Chr...
• May 10, 2020

Lorazepam for Panic Disorder "I have had panic disorder, agoraphobia, and severe anxiety for 10 years, so I need something like Ativan that sedates me and calms me down when I get hysterical. After numerous trips to the ER and every time I went there they gave me this. Finally, I talked to my psychiatrist and got the prescription so I don't have to go to a hospital for my severe panic attacks. Medications I used to take made me feel like I was going crazy lol. Unlike other medications I have tried in the past, there are really not any side effects besides it makes you a little drowsy. This is a true lifesaver for a person who could not otherwise function. This helps with how debilitating panic attacks and severe anxiety can be. I would highly recommend this, and I have tried countless other remedies but this one tops all."

• Lu ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2020

For Anxiety "About 2 years ago I started having panic attacks whenever I left the house, and I had terrible insomnia. I was also diagnosed with social anxiety, so I would always feel edgy when around people and this made me quite depressed. I started staying by myself and not going out much. My doctor prescribed 0.5 mg of Lorazepam. I've been taking it almost every day for one month, and I feel a sense of calm and relief. My mind isn't racing anymore, and I'm able to sit still and relax. I'm also sleeping better, and I'm able to concentrate more. I started going out in public again, and I've actually been able to enjoy myself. This medicine is a life-saver for me. I've had some drowsiness, but I just drink a cup of coffee and this helps me to feel alert, but still calm. Now that I'm able to leave the house again, my depression is getting better. I'm a little worried about building a tolerance to this medicine, but so far it's been helping me get my life back on track."

• bec...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 22, 2019

For Insomnia "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 night and that is it. There are a few nights when it doesn't work, but for the most part, I am sound asleep within 1 hour. I should take it earlier, but I take it about 10:30 or so, read, turn off the light 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."

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 21, 2019

Lorazepam for Anxiety "The doctor gave me Ativan for treating bad anxiety/panic attacks. I just take 1/2 of a 1mg pill when I’m experiencing a panic attack. The doctor was very reluctant to prescribe it as it is a benzo, but in my opinion, it is 100% better than the long-term stuff which just completely messed up my moods and made me depressed, which I never was before. I keep the Ativan with me, and if I start to feel a bad attack coming on, I have 1/2 a pill and am completely fine again within 15 mins. It’s been a lifesaver for me as my panic attacks would sometimes last days, and I’d be throwing up, the whole deal. Ativan has really helped. I’ve only had to use it twice in six months, but just knowing it’s there if I need it is great. The only side effect I get is drowsiness, but usually I take it at night anyway, so it’s good. I also get a lot of relief from cognitive behavioral therapy like tapping and meditating."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2019

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I had been having extreme anxiety and panic attacks for 4 or 5 days and didn’t feel like I could handle them on my own anymore. I went to the ER and they gave me Ativan to calm down. I’m not sure what the dosage was but it was in pill form. At that point I had been crying nonstop for 3 hours as I was very scared and my heart was beating very fast. Within half an hour or so I could feel the medication working as it took the edge off of my anxiety. When I went home, I immediately fell asleep and stayed asleep. I also hadn’t been sleeping well, so that was a relief. It worked really well for me, but I only took it at the ER and haven’t taken it consecutively as a prescription. The only downside was I felt very groggy and foggy the next couple of days, but that could be attributed to exhaustion. Overall, it really helped me a lot."

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2014

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Given that I've had issues with addiction, my previous psychiatrist would not prescribe me any benzos and instead prescribed me Vistaril, which I found pretty useless. For someone with acute panic and anxiety issues, benzos really should be the first and last word on the topic. Ativan is great. Because of my addiction history, I am very careful with it and never take it more than prescribed. It is enough to make me feel 'evened out' during the day without making me loopy, euphoric, or sleepy. And at night, it puts me out without giving me a 'hangover' the following day like Valium does."

• CCM...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 17, 2017

For Panic Disorder "I have chronic anxiety, and this has been the only medication I can take that gives me steady nerves yet doesn't make me feel drowsy. I know it can be addictive, however, I believe if you are suffering from this type of constant anxiety in life and something helps that does not include alcohol, which inebriates you, there should not be a problem staying on it. I'd rather be on this for years than turn to alcohol. Physicians and pharmacists should stop the harassment to those of us with PTSD or chronic anxiety. Accusing those on it of selling the drug just adds to the anxiety. Everyone on Lorazepam is not selling or abusing it. It helps. What more is there to say?"

• Jan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 4, 2014

For Insomnia "The loss of my best friend has changed my world. I have the worst time getting to sleep because I can't deal with not being able to talk to her anymore. I pray a lot and say thank you, Lord, over and over like my mantra, and sometimes that works. Now Lorazepam has become my close friend as it puts me to sleep and stops the racing thoughts that are relentless! I take between 2-3 mg one hour before bedtime because I also take it for anxiety in the day at times. Once in the ER, I was given 4 mg intravenously, and it knocked me out. I had worked a 19-hour shift, and my heart was racing. I love my Lorazepam."

• Mad...
• June 10, 2015

For Insomnia "I've been prescribed lorazepam for six plus years. It started for what I found out was anxiety due to a very stressful work environment and caring for my aging mother. I couldn't manage life. I sometimes couldn't sleep either. I started taking lorazepam as needed, approximately 20 to 30 minutes before an exceptionally stressful situation, and it worked great. I was able to slow down, omit the anxiety so I wasn't reactive, and make my points in a clear and concise form. I started taking them for sleep, to stop the committee from meeting in my mind, 1 to 2 mg as needed. I never feel sedated in the morning, they work great. My physician thought it would be prudent to transfer me to Valium because I've been taking lorazepam too long... now."

• Med...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 27, 2012

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I had a great experience with Ativan. It does a great job of heading off a panic attack when you feel one coming on. It works very quickly (5 minutes or less). It doesn't make you feel drunk or high, but more just kind of relaxed and mellow (a bit sleepy). I took a very low dose, as needed, and it's just nice to have something in case I need it, that wasn't real addictive or habit-forming. Like having a spare tire. You don't have to use it very often, but it's comforting knowing you have one, and it will get you through. I didn't notice any side effects at all, to be honest, except for feeling sleepy when I took it sometimes, but that's not always a bad thing."

• Mac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 10, 2025

Lorazepam "After retiring from the military, I received help I had been dealing with for years. If you are too honest with any mental health problems on active duty, you can lose promotion opportunities or be discharged, so I waited. This drug is a lifesaver for my debilitating anxiety and insomnia. I have taken it for 3 years, and yes, you build up a tolerance, but it’s better than nothing. There were times I didn’t take it for weeks to see if the withdrawal was that bad. Honestly, it was about the same anxiety as I had to begin with. A couple of days you don’t sleep, but it wasn’t as bad for me. I take 3 mg a day, and it keeps me functioning normally. Without it, I’d be a mess. If I have to take it for life, so be it. It is addictive, but the alternative life isn’t worth living, so I’m glad for this therapy. It doesn’t make you loopy or comatose. The first few weeks will be drowsy, but if you are high anxiety, you will feel normal."

• Raa...
• December 15, 2014

For Anxiety "I suffer from social anxiety - it's situational. I can go out to the grocery stores and other things, but it usually happens in class. I tried 1 mg today, and it worked great. It felt so good to feel calm around people and give good eye contact without my heart racing. It makes me sleepy hours later, but I'm fine with that."

• bha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2012

Lorazepam for Panic Disorder "Excellent experience with Ativan. Have used it for flight anxiety and flew with a smile on my face. Also used it for general panic disorder. Right when I feel a panic attack coming on I take 0.5 mg - very small amount. It kills the panic attack in 15-20 minutes and I feel incredibly relaxed for hours. Only side effect was slight drowsiness but it was not bad at all - even useful if I was trying to go to bed. Highly recommend."

• phi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 1, 2014

For Insomnia "Have taken lorazepam now for a year, only on and off when insomnia becomes unbearable. They are little life savers, only take 0.5 mg. Took 1 mg once and had a bad day the next day - depressed and drowsy the whole day. Menopause is a challenging time with the awful insomnia. I have also taken Night Nurse and sometimes 3 mg melatonin. It is hard to get a doctor to prescribe the tablets, but they are worth taking just to get one night's sleep."

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 16, 2020

For Anxiety "I woke up one day in March 2018. It was a normal day, nothing had happened in my life, so I have no idea why it happened. I’ve never had a panic attack or anything like that. Just felt anxious every day, and I couldn’t sleep. I tried Lexapro, Zoloft, none of them worked. My doctor prescribed me 0.5 mg Lorazepam twice a day, that worked great for a while, but then I started taking them both at the same time, between 9:30 AM and 10 AM, and it has done wonders. Doesn’t cause any drowsiness, I get through my workday just fine, and I immediately started sleeping much better."

• Lun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2020

Lorazepam "Oh. My. God... relief. I had been suffering restlessness for four months on end, and it was horrible. Risperidone and Haldol made it worse, and Klonopin made me suicidal. Then I started Ativan and upped my gabapentin dose (I had previously been on a higher dose, and I suspected me lowering it 4 months ago is what triggered the restlessness), and it worked. I feel a bit sedated (although taking Ativan with the gabapentin actually relieves the brain fog/smothered feeling I used to get on higher gabapentin) and there are times during the day when I feel my inhibitions are a bit lower, but compared to living a nightmare for four months, this is bliss. I can function and do things again, and I don’t live in constant fear of the horrible restlessness that I could always feel just below the surface. I checked my chest, I don’t feel any restlessness at all. I can sit here and think about the restlessness feeling, and I don’t feel it. For the first time in 4 months, I’m free."

• Opt...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 6, 2013

Lorazepam for Nausea/Vomiting "Ativan is the only drug that can stop my vomiting when I'm in the middle of a bad cycle (I have cyclical vomiting syndrome which is triggered by neurally mediated hypotension). I've never had any nasty side effects. I just get pleasantly loopy and very sleepy, which is usually a blessing after staying up all night. I don't have a prescription for it, so I end up in the ER a few times a year, which is when they give it to me. (By the time it's that bad, I need IV fluids anyway, so...)"

• MM ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2013

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I used this medication thirty years ago for anxiety, and recently, I had to get another prescription for it. I have always felt near-immediate relief when taking it. I weigh over 200 pounds, and the 1 mg taken as needed gives me relief from occasional anxious or panicky feelings. I've had no other side effects, such as drowsiness, etc., even when taken in the daytime."

• PN7...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2019

Lorazepam for Anxiety "This would be my 3rd time in 14 years of getting a week's worth prescription of Ativan (0.5 mg). I never seem to take them all. Does calm anxiety, and with the low dosage, I don’t get drowsy or have any other side effects. I would suggest taking a pill only when necessary. I could see how this could become habit forming. Sometimes, you just naturally need to fight through an anxiety episode."

• Anonymous
• July 8, 2009

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Ativan at 0.5mg works for me. No side effects. I just feel calm. My doctor gave me a prescription for 1mg but that causes drowsiness, which finds me napping and losing part of the day. So I am not going to take that strength. He said I could take the 0.5mg 2 to 3 times a day if necessary. I find twice a day is working well."

• n81...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2013

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Most subtle of the benzos I have tried. It made me sleepy the first hour or two, but then stabilized my anxiety and mood for about six hours. Much longer lasting than it is given credit for. Good PRN medication. Other benzos cause some moodiness or depression even. Although I think Lorazepam can, it is much smoother than others. It is again too sedating for many people, though. I liked it about as much as Clonazepam, it is better than Valium, in my opinion."