My doctor has prescribed Lorazapam for anxiety. I am trying to take it but experiencing bad side effects. I tried 1/2 pill to start every 12 hours for three days. I just kept feeling worse so I stopped. Started again two days ago - same 1/2 pill at night and 1/2 morning. Have been experiencing insomnia, aggitation, headache, diarrehea, and the worst - nausea. Anyone out there have these side effects and please tell me if I keep taking it for a while longer it will go away. I have tired so many meds for anxiety - wanting this one to work. Elaine

If they are making you that sick then you may need to consider a different drug for you. I have never had any symptoms other than drowsiness from Xanax which is a drug from the same class of drugs. You could be allergic, or it could even be anxiety caused by the fact that you are taking a new drug. it is hard to tell. I would talk to my doctor about if I were you.

Hope you feel better!
OE

How many milligrams of ativan are you taking daily? I take 1 mg in the morning and 1 at night and have not experienced any side effects.

I was prescribed .5 MG and have been taking only 1/2 that so I guess .25. I am assuming I am too sensitive to it and will be going back to try another - this will be the 3rd try. Elaine

Thats a really low dose. Are you taking it for panic attacks? I have a panic disorder and its very hard for the doctor to convince me that the medicine he prescribes me is not going to kill me. I always think im not tolerating it or allergic to it when really Im just psching myself out. For people with PD the hardest thing sometimes is to take the medicine that will make you better. Just a thought.

.25 mg is also a really really small dose, so it is possible that you just plain aren't taking enough and you are having anxiety about taking medication. Just an idea.

Good luck,
OE

No, I don't have panic disorder. I seem to have physical symptoms caused by anxiety. I wake up nauseated, cramps, sweats, chills, etc. Always happens 3 to 5 a.m. and gets better in a few hours. Happens when under some stress - like traveling or husband having surgery and myself having surgery. I had to cancel surgery on my knee because I had anxiety and was so physically ill. Guess I will go see my doctor and try another medication - I have tried 3 so far. Elaine

Even if you don't have panic dissorder you definitely have an anxiety dissorder of some sort. I would definitely talk with your doctor about it and consider an anxiety dissorder specialist.

Later,
OE

or you could also try taking with food, may alleviate some of the side effects

I know when I have taken Ativan if I didn't take enough it just irritated my body and I got the same symptoms that you have described. Try taking the
.5 mg and see how you do.

I Loved Ativan.

If that doesn't work then call your doctor.