ativan/xanax/valium conversions?

[Iksfreundin]

What are the conversions of each to each? What I mean is, what are the equivalent doses? My pdoc gave me ativan instead of xanax, and I haven't taken ativan in probably 8 years!

Just so no one freaks out = I DO NOT take these regularly! I just have some serious panic from time to time that I want to be able to break. I definitely know better than to take them daily, and even with the xanax I was taking, my last two doses were a month apart. So don't worry on this aspect; I just want to know how similar they are so I can cut the doses appropriately. Right now, I can take .125 of xanax and be okay; so I want to know how much I should cut the ativan to reach a similar point, if needed.

[sunexomega]

ativan is going to be .25 to equal 125 of xanax

try it once or twice before you have panic and need it, just to make sure you like the way it feels. It feels different to me.

[TryingtoGetWell]

Someone mentioned some benzo "equivalent" charts that looked excellent; I think they were on the benzoisland (UK) site.

[texgirl]

The charts Trying mentioned are in the Ashton manual ("Benzodiazepines: How They Work and How to Withdraw"). According to them, 1 mg Ativan = 10 mg Valium and 1 mg Xanax = 20 mg Valium. So Sun's correct, .25 mg Ativan would be the equivalent of .125 mg Xanax.

[Amaya's Nana]

Originally Posted by sunexomega

ativan is going to be .25 to equal 125 of xanax

try it once or twice before you have panic and need it, just to make sure you like the way it feels. It feels different to me.

I agree. Ativan feels different than Klonopin too!

[safarigal]

Ativan works great for me. I don't know where I'd be without it.

I am NOT afraid to admit that

I assume you were prescribed .5mg Ativan.

Take it at least an hour before you anticipate being in a situation that may trigger anxiety. Its usually forumulated to disolve under the tongue.

You could start with half a pill. I often take just .25mg when I know this will get me through.

For me its better to take Ativan and function than to suffer in anxiety and panic.

I've only tried Klonapin once and found it too sedating. I had Xanax in the past, Ativan is not any way near as sedating as Xanax. I barely notice a side effect with Ativan. For me it just takes the edge of the anxiety.

[Iksfreundin]

Originally Posted by safarigal

I assume you were prescribed .5mg Ativan.

Take it at least an hour before you anticipate being in a situation that may trigger anxiety. Its usually forumulated to disolve under the tongue.

You could start with half a pill. I often take just .25mg when I know this will get me through.

For me its better to take Ativan and function than to suffer in anxiety and panic.

I WAS prescribed .5 Ativan. I almost don't know what to do with it! I've pretty much always taken xanax, and I think I'm used to that "sedating" quality, that feeling you get from the xanax. SO, thank you for the tip on taking it a bit before I think I'll be in an anxiety-producing situation. That is REALLY what I want to use it for - to get back out into society. I've been too worried about crowds and bars and people for too long - I'd feel better if I got a few "good times" under my belt so that I'm not so automatically freaked out.

I do plan on "trying it out" before using it in a situation like that, so that I can get an idea of how it feels and won't be worried about it. I remember taking ativan in the past, back in my late teens, I think; but I thought it didn't work because of how obvious xanax and valium are. I also drank a lot at the time and did a lot of drugs, so not much 'worked' for me.

So I figured, I took a .125 xanax today before going to the doc. After I haven't taken anything for three or four days, I'll try the ativan at home when I'm doing nothing and my family is here. Give it a few days, and then try it before going out to lunch with an old friend, if I feel okay with it. Thanks for all the info, guys.

[safarigal]

Terra, are you in therapy?

[Sunnysideup]

Is .5 Ativan different than 0.5 mg. I took 0.5 to get to sleep last night. I have terrible insomnia and sometimes I just want to get some sleep!!

[texgirl]

Originally Posted by Sunnysideup

Is .5 Ativan different than 0.5 mg. I took 0.5 to get to sleep last night. I have terrible insomnia and sometimes I just want to get some sleep!!

.5 and 0.5 are the same. Don't take it regularly for sleep if you aren't already.

[Iksfreundin]

Originally Posted by safarigal

Terra, are you in therapy?

Yeah, have been for a few months now. I'm also doing the Lucinda Bassett program and another Panic/Anxiety/Phobia workbook.

I started the therapy right after my graduation ceremony in May. The agoraphobia was getting out of control! Since starting, I've really gone WAY down in my panic episodes - from 10 or more a day to sometimes none a day. And I'm getting farther in my car - although after going to the hospital and getting blood drawn, I count myself as over the 'driving on highways' and 'being away from home' thing.

[safarigal]

Terra, have you been tested for hypoglycemia and have you had your hormone levels checked? I went to an endocrinologist to get this all evaluated. I have a follow up appt in a few weeks.

With the therapist, keep working and if you don't have much success find another therapist with a different approach. I'm one of those people that needs the "right" therapist. One that makes me think and sees past my walls. This is how I'm going to get rid of my anxiety and panic once and for all.

The driving anxiety is the worst for me too. I'm comfortable in my neck of the woods.

[Sunnysideup]

I've been taking a half of the 0.5 of Ativan about every night to get to sleep. I guess I've messed up and got somewhat addicted again. No more starting tonight though I don't look forward to no sleep. I'm so SICK of this insomnia. Does anyone know something natural I could do?

[texgirl]

Sunny, if you've been taking it every night, don't quit cold turkey. You should cut back slowly. At the very least, take half your usual dose for a night or two.

There are lots of things you can try to help you sleep. Melatonin, valerian, magnesium, tart cherry are supplements that have helped some. You might also consider meditation, guided imagery, relaxation and breathing exercises, or listening to alpha brain wave music.

[Iksfreundin]

Originally Posted by safarigal

Terra, have you been tested for hypoglycemia and have you had your hormone levels checked? I went to an endocrinologist to get this all evaluated. I have a follow up appt in a few weeks.

With the therapist, keep working and if you don't have much success find another therapist with a different approach. I'm one of those people that needs the "right" therapist. One that makes me think and sees past my walls. This is how I'm going to get rid of my anxiety and panic once and for all.

I think I do have the right therapist for me now. I really like her - except I know she took paxil and quit it without problems, which was difficult to deal with at first. However, she totally believes me, agrees with my goals, and helps me work towards them.

As for being tested for hypoglycemia or hormone levels, I don't have a GP and I don't have insurance, so I have largely been undiagnosed for ANYTHING. I DID have a rather extensive blood panel done at the hospital last week - would that be on there? (I went and got the results from the hospital so that I could remind myself how healthy I am)

[Sunnysideup]

I've only been taking a half of a 0.5 tablet do you still think I need to taper? How would you taper such a small amount? Anyway, I didn't take any last night and felt sooooo much better today. I can't believe I started back taking those things again. I don't plan to take them again unless absolutely desperate!

[meggo]

Oh guys....DO NOT, AND I REPEAT DO NOT take benzodiazepines everyday!!!! And if you have, DO NOT STOP COLD TURKEY!!!!! I was on ativan for about 6months, had terrible withdrawal and had to up my dose. I tried to go cold turkey. Oh man bad mistake! Think paxil withdrawal and then some. The only safe way to get off of a benzo is to taper over to valium and the taper off of the valium. The valium has a lot longer half life compared to other benzos, thus allowing a more steady taper. I took me almost a year to taper off of 10mg of Valium, as I appear to be "hypersensitive" to benzos and ssris. Benzos are VERY addictive, I learned the hard way. I classify them in the same area as paxil. SUNNYSIDE UP...you have been taking the equivalent of 5mgs of Valium. To give you an idea as to how much that is...the standard dose that the paramedics give someone in full on epileptic seizures is 10mg. Oh, I am warning you...do not go cold turkey off of that 5mg!!!! You will be in misery. I had to cut by .25mg every week to 10 days. PM me if you want to discuss any further.

[texgirl]

We have members who are tapering benzos by having the drug compounded and dropping the dose very gradually. I just got off Klonopin this way, doing an 8-month taper. Apart from a few bumps it was very comfortable and I felt better the lower in dose I went. I've been completely off for a week and had almost no ill effects the last 6 weeks, at which point I was down to 1/80th of my original dose. The Valium crossover is useful for many, especially with the faster-acting benzos like Ativan and Xanax, but to say that it's the "only safe way" to taper is not true. Even Dr. Ashton, who founded it, admits it often doesn't work with benzos like Klonopin that have fairly long half-lives. Whatever method is used, the key is slow, steady dose reduction and allowing time to stabilize between drops.

[meggo]

I am so glad to hear that. I have spoken to so many who have tried direct tapers, and had hellacious experiences. It is by far the concensus that the valium taper is easier. I am glad to know that a direct taper can be done. And also so very happy to hear that you are off of your klonopin. Isn't it crazy how these drugs are persribes so freely with little explanation of the possible effects of them? Thanks for your input.