Ativan(lorazepam) Do people get immune to the effects of ativan?

Question

Sometimes I feel like I need a larger dose of ativan because I'm no longer feeling anything with the 1mg, 2-3x a day that I'm currently on. I also feel depressed a lot and I still experience insomnia. I've read about xanax XR. Since the medicine is released in the body all day long, would this be a better choice for me?

Answer 1

I take 4 to 5mg. of Ativan daily with 40mg. Lexapro. At first it was great but unfortunately my body did become immune to that dose. My doctor wanted me to raise it up to 7mg. a day. I suffer with the dreaded anxiety because I don't want to take that much Ativan. My doctor thinks I take it and he thinks I'm doing good. I have gained way too much weight on the lower dose. I'm afraid to raise it any higher.

Answer 2

It's natural to become concerned that your medication is becoming less effective and that you're building up tolerance to it.

As has been said in some of the previous answers, it really is very important to agree with your doctor what medication (and dosage) you should be on.

If you're unhappy with the way things are going, visit your doctor and explain this. Discuss if there is an alternative and ask what are the pro's and con's of staying on Ativan.

Doctor's tend to be quite keen to keep you on one medication (if it's working) and they may have to go through a bit of a 'wind down' on one drug followed by a 'start-up' on a new drug which often requires careful monitoring in the first few weeks.

But - yes - you do build up tolerance to Ativan.

Answer 3

Call your doctor. I take meds on a regular basis and I would never start/quit a medication without a doctor's order. Sometimes I feel like that too. What you should know about any medication is the fact that any medicine can be addictive and your body can get immuned. It can take awhile for your body to get immuned or it can get immuned immediately.

Answer 4

Yes, I used to take it so I could sleep but after two months, it stopped working.