Ativan is the brand name for lorazepam, a benzodiazepine that’s used to treat anxiety disorders, seizures, and sleep problems. It’s sometimes used as an anesthetic or to treat alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms.
The effects of lorazepam occur within 2 hours of ingestion for the oral version and 15 to 20 minutes for the injectable version, and then they last 6 to 8 hours. However, several factors can affect lorazepam’s duration.
Ativan (lorazepam) is a benzodiazepine medication with anxiolytic, sedative, and muscle-relaxant effects. It is prescribed to induce sleep, ease the symptoms of anxiety, and relax muscles because of its effects on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that slows the central nervous system activity to promote feelings of calm and relaxation.
Drugs called benzodiazepines were developed as a safer alternative to barbiturates, which are highly addictive and extremely dangerous. Barbiturates used to be used to treat anxiety and seizure disorders. While benzodiazepines are generally safer and less addictive, they can be habit-forming.
Ativan is often prescribed orally, leading the drug to be absorbed more slowly. The effects are felt within 2 hours and can last 6 to 8 hours.[1] This differs from other benzodiazepines, which don’t take effect as quickly.
Ativan is also available as a liquid concentrate or by injection. Liquids show peak effects in 2 hours, while an injection of Ativan can start to take effect 15 to 20 minutes after use and last for six to eight hours.[2]
Lorazepam can have serious interactions with certain drugs, such as opioids, alcohol, and other central nervous system depressants. It’s crucial to know how long the drug stays in your system to avoid accidental drug interactions while drinking alcohol or taking other prescription medication. Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications you’re taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements or vitamins, and ask when it’s safe for you to use other drugs after stopping Ativan use.
A drug’s half-life is the time it takes for its concentration to be reduced by half. Ativan’s half-life is about 12 hours. It can vary, however, between 10 and 20 hours. If you take lorazepam at high doses or for long periods, it may take longer for the body to eliminate it.
Ativan is metabolized in the liver and eliminated through the kidneys. The concentration of Ativan is eliminated within 5 days, but the metabolites, or byproducts, can last longer than a week.
Not all drug tests look for benzodiazepines. Standard drug tests, such as 5- or 7-panel drug tests that are used for workplace drug testing, may not screen for benzodiazepines. More specialized or complex drug tests can look for benzos, however.
Lorazepam detection windows for different drug tests are estimated to be:[4]
Several factors affect how long the drug stays in the body, including:
It’s possible to have a false positive urine screen for Ativan, particularly with antidepressants.[5] You should disclose any prescription or over-the-counter drugs you take to ensure your test results are interpreted correctly.
Ativan is generally safe when used as prescribed, but there is still a risk of physical dependence. Benzos are usually prescribed for 2 to 4-week periods to avoid tolerance and dependence. While this can happen with regular use, there’s a high risk of dependence if you take Ativan for longer periods or at high doses.
You should never stop taking Ativan or other benzodiazepines abruptly. Once dependence occurs, your body needs the drug to function properly. Withdrawal can occur, which can have dangerous withdrawal symptoms like:[6]
Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be dangerous, so doctors often use a taper schedule to gradually reduce your prescribed dose and wean you off the drug. This can help minimize severe withdrawal symptoms.
Lorazepam is a Schedule IV controlled substance that has a lower potential for misuse, dependence, and addiction, but it can still be habit-forming. Using lorazepam for long periods can build tolerance, which is when your body needs more of the drug to produce the same effects, and dependence, which is when your body becomes accustomed to the presence of the drug and needs it to function. If you stop suddenly, withdrawal can occur.
You mustn’t stop lorazepam use on your own. Speak to your doctor to start a taper schedule and reduce your dose gradually. If you’re addicted to lorazepam, a full addiction treatment program may be necessary to get through withdrawal and address the emotional, social, and psychological aspects of Ativan addiction.
Typically, benzo withdrawal is treated with medical detox. You’ll have a medical team to monitor your taper schedule and prevent dangerous complications while the drug clears your system. Once detox is complete, it’s best to enter an addiction treatment program. Whether you need inpatient or outpatient treatment, it may include a combination of therapies like individual counseling, group counseling, behavioral therapy, and other modalities.
Lorazepam is a commonly prescribed benzodiazepine for anxiety and other conditions. It has a fast onset of effects and can last 6 to 8 hours, but it may stay in your body long after the effects wear off. Never try to stop taking lorazepam on your own, as dangerous withdrawal symptoms may occur. If you’re struggling with lorazepam misuse or addiction, it’s important to get help to overcome it safely.
Lorazepam’s half-life is 12 hours but can vary between 10 and 20 hours. The drug’s metabolites can stay in the body for much longer, however.
A drug’s half-life is the time it takes for its concentration in the bloodstream to be reduced by half. It takes about five half-lives for a drug to be completely eliminated from the body. This knowledge helps prescribers understand how often a drug should be prescribed and how quickly it clears the system, which can affect withdrawal and drug interactions.
Lorazepam can be habit-forming, especially if it’s misused. If dependence develops, you may have withdrawal symptoms if you try to stop taking the drug suddenly. Lorazepam and other benzos are usually prescribed for short periods of 2 to 4 weeks, not long-term use.
[1,2]Ativan (Lorazepam) injection – accessdata.fda.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2006/018140s028lbl.pdf on 2024, October 3.
[3] Description – accessdata.fda.gov. (n.d.-b). Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/017794s048lbl.pdf on 2024, October 3.
[4] Hadland, S. E., & Levy, S. (2016, July). Objective testing: Urine and other drug tests. Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4920965/#:~:text=Blood%20testing%20typically%20detects%20substance,of%20the%20test%20%5B7%5D on 2024, October 3.
[5] Alyson Schwebach, P. C. 2016 S. P. S. D. S. U. C. of P. B. (2016, August 18). Urine drug screening: Minimizing false-positives and false-negatives to optimize patient care. U.S. Pharmacist – The Leading Journal in Pharmacy. Retrieved from https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/urine-drug-screening-minimizing-false-positives-and-false-negatives-to-optimize-patient-care on 2024, October 3.
[6] Ativan civ tablets rx only – food and drug administration. (n.d.-a). Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/017794s034s035lbl.pdf on 2024, October 3.
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