It is well known how important it is for a patient to trust their doctor. When you discover your mental health condition or mood disorder requires you to take prescription medication to either get rid of the symptoms that bother you or lessen their negative impact on your life, carefully listen to the instructions given to you by your mental health care provider. Ativan is one of the drugs that can help an individual to cope with their illness as well as cause intense side effects.
In this guide we will discover Ativan effects and find out what it feels like when taken. We will also understand its impact on the body and mind, including potential side effects and risks, so that you know when you are supposed to get medical assistance as a patient with a prescription.
Understanding Ativan
Ativan is a popular prescription medication whose main purpose is to treat the manifestations of anxiety, sleep disturbances, and all types of seizures. The response to this drug may vary based on dosage and individual factors such as metabolism and weight of the individual – it is advised to take a small amount to get the relief you need and follow the instructions of the doctor; besides, elderly patients are usually prescribed lower doses of Ativan.
Ativan onset of action also depends on the method of administration:
- If you take the medication orally (Ativan is available in tablets), you will feel its effect in fifteen to thirty minutes. The peak effects will be evident after one or two hours.
- In case the substance is injected into a muscle, the onset is quicker – you will feel the calming effect of Ativan within twenty to thirty minutes.
As for the Ativan duration of action, you can expect Ativan effects to last for about four to six hours. People with higher sensitivity will notice the impact of Ativan on their physical and mental state as well as its sedative effects longer.
Initial Sensations After Taking Ativan
Right after a patient takes Ativan, they will feel less anxious, their stress levels and blood pressure will be lower, and they will be able to concentrate on a certain activity or topic, especially if before the pill or injection they were on the verge of an anxiety attack. Many patients reported that prior to using Ativan, drowsiness made it difficult for them to feel more present and alert to their surroundings. One of the key Ativan sensations is increased mental clarity – your mind is not clouded, and you can focus your attention on what is important to you.
Common Physical Effects
Despite all the positives associated with Ativan, dizziness and lack of coordination are among the main physical sensations of this drug. You may fall asleep very soon after you take this medication since the tension in your body and confusion in your mind no longer prevent you from doing so. Still, muscle relaxation may be dangerous for individuals who plan to stay awake and, for instance, get behind the wheel – you will find it hard to concentrate on a task that requires your undivided attention.
Emotional and Psychological Effects
As for the mental health consequences of Ativan, relaxation naturally affects both the body and the mind of the patient for a limited period of time. The more you use this medication, the more likely it is for you to experience diverse feelings caused by Ativan:
- Your emotional responses have changed dramatically – you do not look at the world and people around you the same. For example, you lack enthusiasm and energy to participate in events you would otherwise be excited about or your conversations with others do not let you connect with these people on a meaningful level.
- You feel fatigued and drowsy for no apparent reason – despite getting eight hours of sleep or being on your day off, you feel and look tired, sluggish, and dazed.
- You struggle with cognitive impairment – it is increasingly harder for you to memorize information or process something you have been told. Concentration suffers too – this is a physical and mental side effect of Ativan.
Potential Negative Experiences and Side Effects
Let us take a closer look at the most common Ativan side effects – research has shown that around ten percent of people who took this medication reported various adverse effects:
| Side Effect | Description |
Lower Blood Pressure |
Ativan will lower your heart rate and blood pressure for a short period of time – although this is good for anxiety and people who feel like they are about to have a panic attack, it causes fatigue and nausea |
| Loss of Balance Control | You may be unsteady and dizzy, walking close to the wall in order to lean on it if you suddenly faint – it is easy to feel like you are spinning despite not moving at all |
Seizures |
If Ativan is misused or abused while the prescription was made for seizures, the seizures may only become more frequent – in this case, the doctor might prescribe a different medication or advise you to receive round-the-clock care to prevent this from happening again |
Depression |
Although Ativan is often prescribed for anxiety – specifically, to avoid future mental health issues and depressive episodes – this medication can worsen your depression due to the combination of Ativan effects like fatigue, poor concentration, and permanent sadness |
Overdose |
While overdoses are rare, it is still possible to abuse this medication – if a patient exhibits unusual sleepiness, their behavior lacks coordination, and they are excessively sweating, make sure they did not take a larger dose of Ativan against the doctor’s orders |
Dependency and Withdrawal Considerations
Unfortunately, patients who use Ativan for a considerable amount of time, as well as individuals who fail to adhere to instructions given to them by their doctors, may become addicted to this medication – they cannot function without a dose of Ativan or they need to increase the dosage to still have the same Ativan experience their bodies have become accustomed to.
Be mindful of the following signs that may indicate Ativan addiction:
- The individual uses Ativan without taking into account the advice of the mental health professional who prescribed it in the first place.
- It is impossible for a person to stop taking Ativan without outside interference.
- The patient no longer cares about their work, studies, or home life and cannot find enjoyment in hobbies and activities they used to love prior to starting their prescription medication.
- Ativan is taken even against the advice of the doctor or obtained illegally to allow the person to continue its use.
Ativan withdrawal is another crucial aspect to bear in mind – when you decide to stop using Ativan on your own, or you lower the dose without talking to your healthcare provider first, you might experience tremors, nausea and vomiting, behavioral changes, and seizures (in the most extreme cases). This is why you have to seek medical help within twenty-four hours after the last dose of Ativan in case there is any discomfort you cannot manage on your own.
FAQs
- What are the main uses of Ativan?
Ativan is typically prescribed by doctors to patients with anxiety, insomnia, and epileptic seizures – it has a calming effect on a person’s mind and body, making them feel secure and physically relaxed so that their symptoms do not bother them while Ativan is doing its job.
- Can I work and drive while on Ativan?
Before you are truly familiar with how Ativan affects your concentration and alertness, it is not recommended to drive and operate heavy machinery while you are under the influence of this medication. As for other types of work, you may find it difficult to stay focused on a particular task or memorize information so try to take Ativan in your free time and on a day off – of course, you should discuss this matter with a doctor.
- What is better: short-term or long-term use of Ativan?
The majority of doctors recommend taking Ativan for a limited period of time – the symptoms can be dealt with right away, and if additional treatment is required, you can talk to your doctor about it. It may be dangerous to take Ativan for longer than a few weeks since it is highly addictive and many patients develop a tolerance to this medication.
- How to recognize Ativan addiction?
If someone close to you stopped consulting with a doctor about Ativan and related medication, started procuring Ativan behind their physician’s back, or the dose of Ativan they require to feel calm and stable now is much higher than what it was several weeks ago, it is likely they have developed a dependence and you should seriously talk to them about it.
- Is Ativan withdrawal dangerous?
While the withdrawal syndrome is not as severe as alcohol withdrawal, it is still hard to go through several days or weeks of craving Ativan, increased anxiety, headaches, and vomiting. Besides, many patients develop depression after they no longer have access to this medication so make sure a doctor guides you in your recovery.
