| Note |
for short-term therapy, a short-acting agent. Short period of accumulation, unlike long-acting benzodiazepines, which accumulate for as long as 20 days before reaching steady state, Ativan accumulates for only 2 to 3 days, thus lessening the likelihood of excessive sedation. Drowsiness that sometimes occurs with the first few doses is usually mild and transistory. Short half-life: the 12-hout half life of ativan is consistent with b.i.d dosage, and drug hangover has not been a problem. Short period of elimination: once you discontinue ativan, it will be out of your patient's system 4 days after the final dose- in contrast to long-acting benzodiazepines, which require up to 2 weeks for elimination. Other advantages: since ativan forms no active metabolites, there is less work for the liver. No significant drug interactions have been reported between ativan and more than 300 drugs taken concurrently. (all benzodiazepines produce CNS depression when taken with alcohol or other depressants.) Ativan for anxiety associated with depressive symptoms |
