How Long Does Ativan Stay in Your System?
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Ativan (Lorazepam) is a medication used to treat anxiety disorders. It is a type of drug called a benzodiazepine, which calms your brain and nerves [1]. Because Ativan slows down your central nervous system (CNS), it can be dangerous if mixed with other CNS depressants or alcohol. This can cause severe problems like slowed heart rate and trouble breathing, so it’s essential to understand how long Ativan stays in your system and its associated risks.
Ativan, or Lorazepam, was first approved for prescription use in 1977 [2], with the generic version following in 1985. Lorazepam comes in different forms: an oral tablet, a liquid taken by mouth, and a liquid injection. However, liquid injections are typically reserved for emergency scenarios to treat severe seizures or psychosis.
Lorazepam is classified as a Schedule IV drug because of its potential for abuse and physical dependence. Like other benzodiazepines, Lorazepam affects GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors in the brain, similar to how alcohol works [3]. This makes lorazepam a potential medication for the management of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. That said, this form of medical-assisted treatment (MAT) does come with risks, as Lorzepam induces feelings of relaxation and euphoria. Because of this, people with alcohol use disorder or those with a history of substance abuse may be more likely to develop an addiction to benzodiazepines.
Lorazepam acts quickly, providing fast relief, but it also leaves the body just as fast. It is intended for short-term or as-needed use. Dependence and addiction typically develop when the drug is used for extended periods. Since the body can become dependent on lorazepam quickly, it should not be taken for more than four months without close medical supervision.
How long does Ativan last, then? Even though lorazepam works quickly, it stays in your body for a while. The half-life of lorazepam is about 12 hours, but traces of the drug can be found in the body for more than 18 hours using specific drug tests. Benzodiazepines, like lorazepam, can have different onset times. Short-acting ones, such as Ativan, take effect faster than long-acting benzodiazepines. However, the effects of short-acting benzodiazepines also fade sooner than longer-lasting ones.
Ativan starts to work quickly. Most people feel its calming effects within 20 to 30 minutes after taking it. This makes it useful for situations where quick relief from anxiety is needed. For example, if you are experiencing a panic attack or severe anxiety, taking Ativan can help you feel calmer and more relaxed in a short amount of time. Because it acts fast, Ativan is often prescribed for acute anxiety episodes or before medical procedures to help people stay calm. Factors that can influence how quickly Ativan works include:
The duration of lorazepam’s effects can vary based on the dose taken, although effects usually peak after two hours.
This low dose may provide relief for about 6 to 8 hours.
This moderate dose typically lasts around 8 to 12 hours.
This higher dose can last from 12 to 24 hours, depending on the individual’s metabolism and how their body processes the drug.
Lorazepam typically starts to wear off within 6 to 8 hours after taking it. This means the noticeable calming and sedative effects usually diminish within this time frame. However, the duration of these effects can vary based on several factors:
Even though the calming effects of lorazepam may wear off within hours, the drug itself remains in your system for a longer period. This is important to consider, especially if you are undergoing drug testing or need to be aware of how long the medication could potentially affect your body.
Even after the noticeable effects of Ativan wear off, it can still stay in your system and be detected in your body through a drug test. Detection times can vary based on factors like the type of drug test, your metabolism, the amount taken, and how long you have been taking the medication. Here are some general detection times for lorazepam:
Lorazepam can be found in blood for up to 3 days after the last dose. Blood tests are typically used in medical settings or legal cases to determine recent use.
Lorazepam can be detected in urine screening tests for up to 6 days. Urine tests are commonly used in employment screenings and other drug testing programs because they are non-invasive.
Hair tests can detect lorazepam for up to 30 days or longer. Hair samples can provide a long-term history of drug use and are often used in forensic testing.
Lorazepam can be found in saliva for up to 8 hours. Saliva tests are less common but can be used for quick, non-invasive screening.
Factors that can affect a test’s ability to detect Ativan include:
Understanding these detection times is important for anyone undergoing drug testing or managing their use of lorazepam. If you are concerned about detection times or the effects of lorazepam, consult with a healthcare professional.
A drug’s half-life is the time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from your body. Ativan has a half-life of roughly 12 hours. This means that after 12 hours, half of your dose is still in your body. It usually takes about 5 or 6 half-lives for a drug to be mostly cleared from your system. For Ativan, it takes 2 to 3 days to be mostly eliminated from your body.
Benzodiazepines were introduced as a safer alternative to barbiturates, with diazepam (Valium) becoming a household name by the 1960s due to aggressive marketing. However, by the 70s, reports of dependence and withdrawal ruined its reputation. Pharmaceutical companies were pushed to develop and promote new alternatives, including clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan). These benzodiazepines were marketed as safer options requiring lower doses, but this was misleading. In reality, they were more potent even in smaller amounts and, in many cases, still led to addiction and physical dependence [4].
The medical community now sees that lorazepam, like its predecessors, poses a high risk of addiction, particularly with long-term use. Initially praised as a breakthrough in anxiety treatment, lorazepam was widely prescribed before its full addictive potential was understood. Over time, independent research confirmed that extended use—especially beyond one month—leads to physical and psychological dependence, making withdrawal difficult without medical supervision [4]. The symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal are now well-documented in the DSM, reinforcing the need for cautious prescribing. Today, medical professionals emphasize short-term use, gradual tapering strategies, and non-addictive alternatives to manage anxiety, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly.
Signs of lorazepam (Ativan) addiction are similar to most other drug addiction symptoms, including increasing tolerance—needing higher doses for the same effect—and experiencing withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, or tremors when stopping. Key behavioral changes, such as doctor shopping, secrecy, or neglecting responsibilities, may also indicate dependence. If you have concerns about a loved one, it’s best to seek professional assistance, as their assessment can help determine the severity of addiction and provide the next steps toward treatment.
When you stop taking Ativan, your body may experience withdrawal symptoms because it has become used to the drug. Withdrawal can be uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous, which is why it’s important to do it under medical supervision.
The timeline for Ativan withdrawal can vary based on how long you have been taking the drug and how much you have been using. Here is a general timeline for withdrawal symptoms:
Managing withdrawal from Ativan should be done with the help of a healthcare professional. They can provide medications to help ease symptoms and offer support throughout the process. Here are some ways to manage withdrawal:
If you are considering stopping Ativan, it is crucial to do so under a doctor’s care to ensure the process is as safe and comfortable as possible.
If you or a loved one have been abusing any prescription drugs like Ativan, Gratitude Lodge is here to help with effective addiction treatment. We offer insurance-covered luxury rehabs located in Long Beach and Newport Beach, CA; our dedicated staff is committed to supporting you through your journey to recovery.
A tapered reduction in dosage during supervised detox at Gratitude Lodge makes Ativan withdrawal safer and more comfortable. You can also get 24/7 clinical and emotional care to streamline the withdrawal process. After about one week, you’ll be ready to move into ongoing inpatient treatment at one of our beachside treatment centers.
Inpatient treatment at Gratitude Lodge accounts for the unique nature of all addictions by offering personalized treatments, such as:
Call our recovery experts today for immediate assistance at 844-576-0144.
[1]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470159/
[2]https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682053.html
[3]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513311/
[4] https://www.benzoinfo.com/a-brief-history-of-benzodiazepines/
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