Can you drink alcohol with Ativan?
No. Unless your prescribing doctor expressly states that it is safe, you should not consume alcohol while taking Ativan (lorazepam).
Ativan and alcohol both depress the central nervous system (CNS). Combining them can intensify their effects and raise the possibility of:
- Extreme drowsiness
- Dizziness and poor coordination
- Slowed or difficult breathing
- Impaired judgment and reaction time
- Falls and injuries
- Loss of consciousness
- Overdose, which can be life-threatening
The risk is especially high for:
- Older adults
- People taking higher doses of Ativan
- Anyone also taking opioids, sleep medications, or other sedatives
- People with breathing problems or sleep apnea
If you had a drink before taking Ativan
The safest course of action if you’ve already had alcohol and are unsure whether it’s safe to take your dose is to speak with your pharmacist or prescriber for advice based on your medical history, your Ativan dosage, and the amount of alcohol you had. Never assume that it’s safe to wait a specific amount of time.
Dosage and strength
Lorazepam comes as 0.5mg, 1mg and 2.5mg tablets. The liquid contains 1mg of lorazepam in each 1ml.
The usual dose is:
- anxiety in adults – 1mg to 4mg each day. Your doctor will tell you how often you need to take it
- sleeping problems in adults – 1mg to 2mg before bedtime (lorazepam will start to work in around 20 to 30 minutes)
- a pre-med for adults – 2mg to 3mg the night before the procedure and then 2mg to 4mg about 1 to 2 hours before your procedure
- a pre-med for children aged 5 years to 11 years – the dose will depend on the child’s weight
- a pre-med for children aged 12 to 17 years – 1mg to 4mg either the night before the procedure or at least 1 hour before the procedure, or both
A doctor might suggest a lesser dosage for elderly patients or those with liver or kidney issues.
How to take it
Lorazepam pills should be taken with water. They can be taken with or without food.
Lorazepam comes with a plastic syringe or spoon to assist you measure out the proper dosage if you take it as a liquid. Ask your pharmacist for a spoon or syringe if you don’t already have one. A kitchen teaspoon won’t measure the correct quantity, so avoid using one.
How long to take it for
The purpose for which you take lorazepam determines how long you should take it.
It is often only advised for a maximum of four weeks in cases of anxiety and sleep issues. To avoid withdrawal symptoms, you could gradually lower your dosage.
Typically, you will only require a maximum of two dosages before to an operation or treatment.
You will only receive an injection of lorazepam while you are in the hospital if you are experiencing a seizure or fit.
A doctor will advise you on how long to take lorazepam if they prescribe it for longer than four weeks. Can you drink alcohol with Ativan?
side effect of Ativan
If you experience symptoms of an Ativan allergic reaction, such as hives, breathing difficulties, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, get emergency medical attention.
Your respiration may be slowed or stopped by lorazepam, particularly if you have recently used alcohol or an opioid prescription. If you have blue lips, slow breathing with extended pauses, or difficulty waking up, the person taking care of you should get emergency medical attention.
Serious adverse effects are possible with Ativan. Contact your physician right away if you have:
- severe drowsiness;
- unusual changes in mood or behavior, being agitated or talkative;
- sudden restless feeling or excitement;
- seizures, depression, thinking problems, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
- confusion, aggression, hallucinations;
- sleep problems (insomnia);
- vision changes; or
- dark urine, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common Ativan side effects may include:
- dizziness, sedation, drowsiness;
- weakness; or
- feeling unsteady.
Regular blood tests are necessary to monitor liver function and blood counts.
If you experience symptoms like abnormal muscular movements, increased activity or talkativeness, abrupt and severe changes in mood or behavior, disorientation, hallucinations, seizures, or suicidal thoughts or actions after stopping Ativan, get medical care immediately.
After abruptly discontinuing Ativan, some withdrawal symptoms may persist for a full year or more. If you have persistent anxiety, depression, memory or cognitive issues, difficulty falling asleep, ringing in your ears, a burning or prickly feeling, or a crawling sensation beneath your skin, let your doctor know.
There may be other side effects; this is not an exhaustive list. For medical advice on side effects, give your doctor a call. You can call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report negative effects
If you forget to take it
If you forget to take your lorazepam:
- for anxiety – Take your missing dose as soon as you remember if it has been less than three hours. Take your next dose at the regular time and skip the missed one if more than three hours have gone by.
- for sleeping problems – If you haven’t taken it by bedtime, skip the missed dose and take your regular dose the following night.
- before an operation or procedure (pre-med) –Examine any information provided by the hospital regarding your procedure, as it may contain recommendations on missing doses. Call the hospital to find out what to do if it doesn’t.
Never take two doses to make up for one that you forgot to take.
Setting an alarm to remind you of your doses could be beneficial if you frequently forget them. Another option is to consult a pharmacist for tips on how to remember to take your medication.
If you take too much
If you take more lorazepam than is recommended, you may experience the following symptoms:
- poor co-ordination or
- trouble speaking
- feeling sleepy
- a slow or irregular
- heartbeat
- uncontrolled eye movements
- muscle weakness
- feeling overexcited
Individual differences exist in the amount of lorazepam that can cause an overdose. Can you drink alcohol with Ativan?
