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Ativan (lorazepam)

Overall Rating
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3.77
Rating:

3.77

*** 1/2
(Out of 5 Stars)
Side Effects
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3.41
Pricing
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3.83
Average Price: $11.36 Thumbs up Recommended By
91% of reviewers (of 44 reviews)
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AtivanŽ

Generic Name: Lorazepam lor-AZ-e-pam

Drug Class: Benzodiazepines

 

Contents

 

Description
Ativan is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines and is used to treat patients with anxiety or panic disorder.

Your doctor may use this medicine to treat other conditions as well.

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General Information
This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect, adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions about your medicines, talk to your healthcare provider. 

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Proper use of this medicine
Follow the directions given to you by your doctor. This medicine is taken by mouth with water and can be taken with or without food. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice with this medicine.
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Missed Dose
Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses.
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Storage
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.
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Possible Side Effects
    • Some common side effects reported with this medicine include:
      • drowsiness
      • dizziness
      • unusual weakness
      • headache
      • clumsiness
    • Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away; restlessness or excitement, constipation, difficulty urinating, blurred vision or changes in sex drive.
    • anxiety, depression
    • If you experience memory loss, behavioral problems, or involuntary muscle movements, talk to your doctor right away.
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Warnings/Precautions
    • This medicine is meant for short term use. If your symptoms continue, talk to your health care provider.
    • Benzodiazepines can be addictive. This medicine should not be taken for long periods of time.
    • This medicine can aggravate narrow-angle glaucoma.
    • This medicine may cause dizziness and drowsiness.
    • Alcoholic beverages can increase the effects of this medicine and should be avoided.
    • Don't drive until you know how you will react to this medicine.
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Overdose
Seek medical attention immediately. U.S. residents can call the national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
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Drug Interactions
    • Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all other medicines that you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products.

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Pregnancy/Nursing
This medicine should not be used if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This medicine can cause harm to your fetus. For breast-feeding mothers, check with your doctor to discuss any possible risks to your baby while taking this medicine.
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More Information

For more information about this medicine, talk to your healthcare provider.
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Tags: Ativan antianxiety anxiety pcanx




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Reviews
Evangelista
Grand Member

Registered: February 2006
Location: \"die bunte Kuh\"
Posts: 973
Review Date: Tue June 13, 2006 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: $3.00| Rating: 7 

 
Pros: takes the edge off of panic attacks
Cons: none

This medication has helped me with anxiety and panic attacks, plus it has fewer side effects than Valium.

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jennie
Poohbah

Registered: December 2002
Location: DC metro area
Posts: 1306
Review Date: Thu June 22, 2006 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10 

 
Pros: less impairment than others in drug class
Cons: driving impairment and forgetfulness

Helpful for learning to work through initial panic attacks. I'd happily resume this medication if I couldn't function. No need to suffer when ativan is there to help you through times of severe panic.

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LMo
Elder

Registered: January 2003
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 6217
Review Date: Thu June 22, 2006 Would you recommend the product? No | Total Spent: $3.00| Rating: 5 

 
Pros: instant anxiety relief
Cons: addictive, dangerous for unborn fetuses, makes me too drowsy

I wasn't a huge fan of Ativan - knowing that it is both addictive and dangerous for unborn fetuses made me instantly cautious. The few times I did take it, it certainly worked to de-stress me, but it also made me so drowsy that I couldn't make good decisions. I took it 3 times and then threw the rest away. It wasn't worth the risk, but I suppose it would be good for someone who has more anxiety than I do.

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alisandria
Veteran Member

Registered: August 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 303
Review Date: Fri September 8, 2006 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3 

 
Pros: Well, I didn't feel anxious.
Cons: Very tired, hazed feeling.

I think it would be good to use when having procedures done. Like a tooth pulled, or MRi or something. It really zonked me out, and I was on lowest dose. Alright for occassional use in those instances (for me anyway).

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candybear
Grand Magnate
Managing Editor, PC

Registered: April 2004
Location: the frozen tundra
Posts: 4504
Review Date: Fri September 8, 2006 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10 

 
Pros: excessive sedation properties make it outstanding for trying to sleep
Cons: I didn't find any!

Loved Ativan! Works quickly to relieve anxiety and help put you to sleep. Sadly, it's a bad thing to have around when suicidal, so my pdoc took mine and never gave it back.

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DizzyLizzy
Junior Member

Registered: August 2006
Location: New England
Posts: 13
Review Date: Mon September 11, 2006 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9 

 
Pros: I was on the same dose for nearly 8 years before it started to lose effectiveness
Cons:

Ativan was a great med for me. I used it to help fall asleep at night and as needed for a panic attack.

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MyBestKids2
Elder

Registered: September 2006
Posts: 5563
Review Date: Tue September 12, 2006 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8 

 
Pros: encourages calm and peace
Cons: makes me too "dopey"

I really need this type of medication when I am highly agitated and unable to soothe myself. I try not to use as part of a daily regimen. It makes daily functioning very difficult.

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eskielover
Grand Magnate

Registered: October 2004
Location: Harrodsburg, Kentucky, USA
Posts: 3118
Review Date: Thu September 14, 2006 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9 

 
Pros: effective in shot form to help with side effects
Cons:

I have found that when atavin has been given to me in IV or shot form for immediate treatment of a side effect or extreme anxiety attack that needs treated, it is very effective. However in pill form to take for anxiety, it is very ineffective.

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darkeyes
Moderator
Community Support Team

Registered: May 2001
Location: US
Posts: 6627
Review Date: Fri September 15, 2006 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Helps reduce anxiety,racing thoughts,which can help patient have a better sleep. I suggest only use as directed by the prescribing physician.
Cons: If taken during the day,may cause drowsiness.

I have found this medication usefull when I am having extreme stress,which causes me to not sleep well, and tightness in chest. I do suggest,one not use it often,only as directed by your pdoc. It can cause drowsiness, slight "brain fog". Klonopin may be a better alternative if you need to have an anti-anxiety med. that can be used during the day,works great for potential anxiety attacks or present ones. But for evening use, I'd rate Ativan,excellent.

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Anonymous
Review Date: Fri September 22, 2006 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: $1.00| Rating: 7 

 
Pros: calming
Cons: memory problems

Loved that it mellowed me out so well. Hated that I couldn't remember anything about the times when I was taking it. Worked well, though during a tough time. Might be hard to kick if you get hooked on it.

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alittlehoshime
Member

Registered: September 2006
Location: kuala lumpur, malaysia
Posts: 228
Review Date: Tue September 26, 2006 Would you recommend the product? No | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1 

 
Pros: Be able to sleep
Cons: still feel anxious, palm sweat , Headache, dizziness, vomitting , nausea, cant breath at times

hate medsssssssss eat also die dont eat also die even more worst no choice so got to eat lor sigh........... persevere persevere

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SerenitysWave
Grand Poohbah

Registered: December 2005
Location: Vermont
Posts: 1529
Review Date: Sun October 22, 2006 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Fast working-takes edge off anxiety-relaxes and aides with sleeping
Cons: none that I can think of

I didnt experience any side effects which was a huge bonus... I dont recall what I pay for it, but I know it was inexpensive. I take on an as needed basis which I like because many times just knowing that I have something extra to fall back on helps me get over the bump...

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prodigiousgamer
Member

Registered: October 2006
Location: tampa, fl
Posts: 45
Review Date: Sun October 22, 2006 Would you recommend the product? No | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3 

 
Pros: mild reduction of anxiety in specific situations
Cons: mild to moderate drowsiness and vertigo

i did not like this medication because of the side effects that it caused. it caused moderate drowsiness and vertigo. the positive effects of this medication were weak. i only experienced a very mild reduction of anxiety in specific situations. i would not recommend this medicine for people with mild anxiety issues like myself.

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Amerikasend
Member

Registered: December 2006
Location: Merryland
Posts: 22
Review Date: Mon December 4, 2006 Would you recommend the product? No | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7 

 
Pros: reduced anxiety somewhat, good for sleep
Cons: I would sometimes blackout from this stuff

This stuff is ok, it helped relieve my anxiety somewhat. It worked well for my sleep. The bad thing about this drug was I would blackout when on it. I didn't enjoy not knowing what I had done and it freaked me out. I was taking 2mg twice a day.

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Brookester
Member

Registered: December 2006
Location: California
Posts: 47
Review Date: Thu December 21, 2006 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 2 

 
Pros: knocks out PANIC
Cons: HIGHLY ADDICTIVE

DRUG OF CHOICE FOR PANIC ATTACKS. IT KNOCKS THEM OUT RIGHT AWAY. CAN ALSO BE USED TO HELP SLEEP. HIGHLY ADDICTIVE. ONE CAN BECOME ADDICTED TO IT IN A FEW SHORT WEEKS. I HAD TO GO TO DRUG REHAB IN ORDER TO SAFELY TAPER OFF THIS MED.

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mama2ak
New Member

Registered: December 2006
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 4
Review Date: Sat December 30, 2006 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 6 

 
Pros: immediacy of action
Cons: only works in high doses (at least for me)

I was given this during two seperate postpartum depression episodes with two different children. Neither time did it do much of anything. I was on 0.5 mg 3x a day and it did nothing. 2 mg barely helped me sleep. It works to take 2 mg if you are having a panic attack and need to lie down - it will help you fall asleep. Otherwise, did nada.

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bobthesponge
New Member

Registered: February 2007
Posts: 1
Review Date: Thu February 1, 2007 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Really helped me sleep.
Cons: It's addictive and can only be used a short time.

This medicine help to calm my nerves and made me quit worrying about everything I had to do the next day or what I did that day. It really helped me get to sleep. The only problem is it is addictive so it can only be used a short time.

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Thomi
Member

Registered: February 2007
Location: Maine
Posts: 27
Review Date: Fri February 16, 2007 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 0 

 
Pros: Helps ease my anxiety and helps me sleep
Cons: can be habit forming

I take it as needed to ease my anxiety and to help me sleep. This med is the best by far in helping with anxiety. It can be habit forming but since I don't use it everyday, I have not had that problem.

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Juliana
Grand Member

Registered: March 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 887
Review Date: Sat March 3, 2007 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10 

 
Pros: instant anxiety relief
Cons: drowsiness and blackouts

I took Ativan to calm myself down so I was able to fly multiple times this summer. I had recently recovered from a 3 year bout with agoraphobia and was still suffering from occasional panic attacks and anxiety.
I hadn't flown in 10 years and was phobic about being trapped somewhere I couldn't leave. I was also afraid of being in a large, crowded airport and having to stand in lines. Ativan calmed me down enough to do all of these things with ease.
It helped me overcome some of those phobias and I gained a lot of confidence. I am now able to fly without taking any drugs.
I've been told that Ativan can be addictive, but I didn't take it on a regular basis. I took about 20 tablets in total during my summer travels and haven't taken it since. It worked extremely well for me.
As for side effects: I have no memory or limited memory of some of my experiences while I was taking Ativan. There are entire flights that are totally blacked out in my memory. Other flights are just a blur. I remember bits and pieces but not the whole experience. I can't imagine functioning at work or handling daily tasks requiring focus while on this medication. It's difficult to form thoughts clearly and I found that things were getting stuck on the tip of my tongue while I was speaking. I felt very SLOW. Fortunately, the effects of the medication wear off quite quickly.

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loupopeye22
New Member

Registered: March 2007
Posts: 1
Review Date: Fri March 23, 2007 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8 

 
Pros: reduced agitation
Cons: not that I'd know of

would recommend for people who become either panic attack or agitation, then this ativan would alleviate this nasty symptoms. While I was in hospital I couldn't sleep and desperately to abscond from the unit and go to the lake in the middle of the windy night but I was given that meds and didn't think it would work. However, it calmed me down gently and sleep soundly without any problem.

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The_Matrix
Junior Member

Registered: February 2007
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 18
Review Date: Wed March 28, 2007 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9 

 
Pros: works quickly, effective, relatively safe
Cons: slight drowsiness

i found this drug very effective for anxiety. it would kick in 30-45 minutes after i took it and the effect would last from 3-5 hours. i took it for GAD

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leenie41
Newly Joined

Registered: March 2007
Location: pa
Review Date: Fri March 30, 2007 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3 

 
Pros: helped me sleep
Cons: didn't do much for my anxiety, very, very addictive

I was put on this with zoloft, and paxil. I did need it, not for panic attacks, but for extreme, and constant anxiety. It may have helped somewhat, but overall, no it did not! Will make you drowsy, but as far as for anxiety, not worth it, just very addictive, and that's a high price to pay for a pill that doesn't do it's job.

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DoubtingThomasina
Junior Member

Registered: April 2007
Location: North Dakota, ASA
Posts: 13
Review Date: Wed April 11, 2007 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: $1.00| Rating: 10 

 
Pros: My favorite anti-anxiety med!
Cons: Dependency is inevitable if not weaned off.

For people with anxiety disorders, this pill is a godsend. However, use only when needed; such as agitation, irritation, obsessive compulsive, racing thoughts, panic attacks etc. Do not use as a sleeping aid unless prescribed by a physician. Avoid staying on the medication for more than one month. For me, I keep a stash of 15 pills for emergencies only (e.g panic attack).

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Nighthawk1979
Newly Joined

Registered: May 2007
Review Date: Sun July 1, 2007 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Fast acting and works well. I've found the name brand is better than the generic
Cons: Drowsiness during the day

Works well and works rapidly. I take it more during the daythan at night - a lower dose helps with the drowsiness.

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buzzie
Newly Joined

Registered: March 2006
Location: Southern CA
Review Date: Thu August 2, 2007 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Takes my anxiety away and helps with PMS
Cons: Addicting been on it for 13 years (not everday)

Excellent for me with a panic attack, anxiety, pms, and anger issues. Was having really bad panick attacks and constant anxiety. I still feel I was having a nervous break down. Was put on different medswhich made me worse, thought I was going crazy. Couldn't drive, was agoraphobic, and really deppressed. I thought I was crazy then a doc gave me ativan and within 30 minutes I felt totally "normal" started to cry cuz it triped me out to feel so normal. It got me back out driving when I could not drive across the street. I try not to take everyday and I weaned myself to a much lower dosage. Sometimes I get really bummed out on being on this med for so long and my doctor would always tell me why make yourself suffer if it works. That is true and yes it is addicting but so is food, coffee, cigs, alchol, etc..... It did help me big time and the biggest plus is my kids didn't have to see me freak out all the time. It has helped me function along with an anti-deppresent. The only thing that sucks is yes it's addicting.

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xd42
New Member

Registered: August 2007
Posts: 2
Review Date: Sat August 25, 2007 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8 

 
Pros: good anxiety reduction
Cons: addictive, can zonk you out sometimes

I've found this drug (.5mg) can be a savior during times of severe anxiety. I take this only when I've having a really bad time with anxiety as I'm afraid of its addictive potential. I usually tolerate the medicine well but there have been a few times I took it and it really zonked me out, kinda like a strong cold medicine. Zonked out is better than an anxiety attack though. Wink

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ChipsAhoy
Member

Registered: August 2007
Location: Minneapolis MN
Posts: 25
Review Date: Thu August 30, 2007 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10 

 
Pros: fast-acting; effective; minimal side effects
Cons: few side effects (drowsiness, amnesia)

i have had a pretty good experience with Lorazepam since i first started using it 2 years ago. i find that it takes about 2 hours to take full effect and the half-life is about 12 hours, so if you take 2-3 mg at least some of the effect will be with you for the whole day, at least in my case. i have been taking it for social phobia, and i find that it is very effective in reducing the amount of anxiety that i experience in social situations. it is also helpful for depression. sometimes i will take a few when i become very depressed and it is usually enough to elate my mood for the rest of the day (at least in my experience, please remember that it will act differently in everybody). my psychiatrist said that it is a fairly safe medication to take. the tolerance starts building up if you take it for a period for longer than four months so be sure to keep in contact with your therapist or your psychiatrist to report how you feel. if you take just a couple a week my psychiatrist said that there should be no problem with addiction and doses much higher than that are required for a tolerance to begin to build up. some of the side effects that i experienced on this medication are drowsiness, lethargy, and amnesia. they were all pretty mild and were not a big deal. the most notable was the amnesia. once that Lorazepam wears off you may find it hard to remember some of the details of what occurred during your experience on the Lorazepam. it also tends to make me moderately drowsy but that side effect is not too difficult to cope with for me. my psychiatrist said that this drug also tends to cause dis inhibition, much the way that alcohol does. i would recommend this drug for anybody who has been diagnosed with any type of anxiety disorder. ask your doctor about it and see if she thinks that you are a good candidate for this medication.

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BerBer
Newly Joined

Registered: September 2007
Review Date: Sun September 2, 2007 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Stops panic attacks
Cons: Forgetfulness, lowered inhibitions

Taking these has helped keep me in school when I was about to drop out because of the panic attacks I was having. No real complaints except when I take it I tend to feel a little like I'm high or drunk only in the way where I'm not afraid to say what ever comes to mind. I guess thats just because it is so relaxing that you don't feel like you have to worry about what you say.

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WoahMan
Newly Joined

Registered: November 2007
Review Date: Sat November 3, 2007 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8 

 
Pros: great anti-anexity agent, good for agiation
Cons: drunk feeling, amnesia

Ativan is great for anxiety. I've tried Xanax and Valium once before with no luck. Xanax helped with extreme anxitey though. I notice for me ativan takes about a hour to kick in. Sometimes it's amnesiac effects make me forget that i even took it. I take 1mg two times a day, for social phobia and anxiety from work if needed. No need to take any at night since the daily dose usually makes me drowsy by the end of the day. Not to mention a hard day at work. It doesn't effect my work ethics at this dose, thought sometimes i forget where i put things. It is a longer lasting Benzodiazepin, unlike xanax or valium which usually lasts 2 hours at max. Ativan lasts about four to six hours for me, sometimes only having to take 1mg a day. One thing i notice is that if i do take it at night sometimes for insomnia, in the morning it is hard to get up. What i do is drink some coffee, for some reason it cancels some of the effects of ativan. So far this is the only benzo that has worked for my anxiety when needed. Xanax was good but was short acting and i think would be way more addicting since it has a short half-life, so i wanted to stop taking it. Ativan was a good replacement my pdoc said.

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