This article describes Ativan’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Ativan. If you want to know more about Ativan, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Ativan is a brand-name medication that comes as an oral tablet. It’s available in a generic version called lorazepam. Ativan also comes as an injection, but that form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about that form, talk with your doctor. This article describes dosages of Ativan oral tablet.
Boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings about the risks of serious harm if taken with opioids, as well as misuse and addiction. It also has a boxed warning about the risk of dependence and withdrawal. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For more information about the risk of dependence and withdrawal, see the “Withdrawal from Ativan” section below. See the end of this article for more information about these warnings.
Form and strengths of Ativan
Ativan comes as follows:
- Form: tablet that you swallow
- Strengths: 0.5 milligrams (mg), 1 mg, 2 mg
Dosage of Ativan
This article describes the recommended dosages for Ativan. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of Ativan without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of Ativan in adults
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of Ativan. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of Ativan that gives the desired outcome.
Dosage for anxiety and trouble sleeping
| Condition | Starting dosage | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|
| anxiety | 2–3 mg per day in divided doses taken two or three times per day | 10 mg per day |
| insomnia (trouble sleeping) | 2–4 mg per day taken at bedtime | determined by your doctor |
Dosages of Ativan in children
Doctors may prescribe Ativan oral tablet for use in children ages 12 years and older. The dosage will be adjusted as needed and tolerated.
Dosage adjustments for Ativan
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of Ativan based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- other health conditions you may have
Missed dose of Ativan
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of Ativan. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of Ativan and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Ativan and its dosage.
What is considered a low dose of Ativan?
The lowest recommended dosage of Ativan is 1 mg per day taken in divided doses. Doctors typically prescribe a low dose of Ativan for older adults (ages 65 years and older) and people with certain medical conditions.
If you have questions about the right dosage of Ativan for you, talk with your doctor.
Is Ativan taken long term?
No, doctors don’t typically prescribe Ativan as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended for short-term treatment, up to 4 months. It’s not known whether treatment with Ativan for longer periods of time is useful.
If you have questions about how long you should take Ativan, talk with your doctor.
Withdrawal from Ativan
Ativan has a boxed warning about the risk of dependence and withdrawal. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Taking Ativan can lead to drug dependence. With dependence, your body needs the drug to function as usual. This risk is higher the longer you take Ativan and the higher the dosage you take.
Due to the risk of dependence, suddenly stopping Ativan treatment can cause withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on.
Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to life threatening. Examples include:
- diarrhea
- trouble sleeping
- loss of appetite
- seizures
- blurred vision
Because of the risk of withdrawal, you should not suddenly stop taking Ativan. If you want to stop treatment, talk with your doctor. They will likely create a plan for you to gradually lower your Ativan dosage over time until it’s safe for you to stop the drug completely.
How Ativan is taken
You’ll swallow Ativan one to three times per day, as prescribed by your doctor. You can take it with or without food. Taking it with food may lower the risk of stomach upset.
Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.
Certain strengths of Ativan oral tablets are scored, meaning they can be cut in half on the score line (groove) if needed. Ativan oral tablets may also be crushed. If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
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Get free cardOverdose of Ativan
It’s important that you do not take more Ativan than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of Ativan overdose
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
- drowsiness
- coma
- confusion
- problems with balance
- agitation
- talkativeness
What to do if you take too much Ativan
If you think you’ve taken too much Ativan, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for Ativan. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of Ativan without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take Ativan exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Will a lower dosage of Ativan reduce my risk of dependence?
- How long will I take Ativan?
- How does the dosage of Ativan compare with the dosage of other drugs that could be used to treat my condition?
Boxed warnings for Ativan
This drug has boxed warnings about several risks. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. The risks are:
- risk of serious harm if taken with opioids
- risk of misuse and addiction
- risk of dependence and withdrawal
Risk of serious harm if taken with opioids: Taking Ativan with opioids can cause serious and life threatening side effects. These include extreme sleepiness, slowed or shallow breathing, coma, and even death. Because of this risk, doctors typically prescribe this combination of medications only if it’s the best or only treatment option. If these medications are prescribed together, your doctor will likely prescribe the lowest effective dosage of each medication for the shortest amount of time needed.
Risk of misuse and addiction: Taking Ativan can lead to misuse. Misuse is when you take a drug in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it. An example of misuse is when you take a prescription drug to get “high.”
Misusing Ativan can lead to serious side effects, including severe central nervous system (CNS) depression, overdose, and death. (The CNS is made up of your brain and spinal cord.) The risk of misuse is higher if you take Ativan with other substances that cause CNS depression, such as alcohol or opioids.
Taking Ativan can also lead to addiction. Addiction means a drug is taken even though it may be causing harm.
Due to these risks, Ativan is a controlled substance in the United States. This means it’s regulated by the government due to the risk of dependence or misuse.
Risk of dependence and withdrawal: For more information about the risk of dependence and withdrawal, see the “Withdrawal from Ativan” section above.
For details, see the “Dosage of Ativan” section above. You can also talk with your doctor to learn more.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.