Combining Ativan and alcohol at the same time can intensify side effects like slowed breathing, which can lead to life-threatening consequences.
The risks for combining lorazepam and alcohol are very severe. It’s important to take precautions when taking lorazepam (the generic drug of the brand name Ativan), especially if you drink any form of alcohol, be it wine, beer, or liquor.
Article at a Glance:
- Ativan (lorazepam) is a benzodiazepine and central nervous system depressant.
- Mixing alcohol and Ativan can intensify side effects like slowed breathing, which can be deadly.
- It takes the body up to five days to clear a dose of lorazepam from its system, and it is best to avoid alcohol during that time.
Ativan and Alcohol (Video)
The video below provides an overview of the symptoms that can occur when combining Ativan and alcohol.
Mixing Ativan (Lorazepam) and Alcohol
Ativan and alcohol are both central nervous system depressants thatcause an increase in GABA(gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the brain. Taken together, alcohol and Ativan can slow down the brain’s functioning and make it much easier to overdose.
A personwho has overdosed on Ativan and alcoholmay be confused and have slurred speech, movement difficulties and slowed breathing.
[elementor-template id="4848"]Drug overdoses can be fatal. If you suspect someone is experiencing alcohol poisoning, call 911 immediately. Do NOT be afraid to seek help. If you do not have access to a phone, contactWeb Poison Control Servicesfor online assistance.
Related Topic:The Dangers of Misusing Lorazepam
Effects of Drinking on Ativan
You should avoid drinking while taking Ativan. Mixing alcohol and Ativan can cause the Ativan to haveincreased and potentially life-threatening side effects. For example, the risk for serious side effects likeslowed breathingrises if a person has been drinking while taking Ativan. In people who drink chronically, mixing lorazepam with alcohol can also impactcognitive abilities.
How Long After Taking Ativan (Lorazepam) Before You Can Drink?
If you take Ativan, you should wait to drink until the drug has been cleared from your system.
The half-life of a drug is how long it takes your system to remove half of it, and it takes aroundfive half-livesfor a drug to leave your body. Since the half-life of Ativan is10 to 20 hours, Ativan can remain in your body for up to 100 hours after the last dose. It is not completely safe to drink until that time has passed.
See:How Long Does Ativan Stay in Your System?
How Long After Drinking Can You Take Ativan (Lorazepam)?
You should wait until alcohol is fully removed from your system before taking Ativan. In general, your body can processone standard drink per hour. Astandard drinkis defined as:
- 12 ounces of beer
- 5 ounces of wine
- 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits
For example, if you had 24 ounces of beer, you should wait at least two hours before taking a central nervous system depressant like Ativan.
What Is Ativan?
Ativan, a brand-name version of lorazepam, is a benzodiazepine drug that is categorized as aSchedule IV controlled substance. It is a depressant, meaning it calms excessive electrical nerve activity in the brain. Specifically, lorazepam affects GABA receptors andenhances GABA neurotransmittersin the brain.
GABA neurotransmitters induce a feeling of sleepiness and reduce anxiety. These effects are why Ativan is sometimes used to calm repeated epileptic fits, or as a sedative to help with anxiety.
| Drug Properties | Ativan (lorazepam) |
|---|---|
| Medical Uses | Anxiety, sedation, seizures, chemotherapy-related nausea, delirium |
| Drug Type | Benzodiazepine |
| Controlled substance status | Schedule IV |
| Common side effects | Sedation, dizziness, weakness, unsteadiness |
| Habit-forming | Yes |
Other Ativan Drug Interactions (Benadryl and More)
It’s not just alcohol that can cause problems with Ativan. Some people may have an extreme allergic reaction to Ativan, leading them to take a drug like Benadryl in an attempt to combat the swelling. However, Benadryl and other antihistamines are tranquilizers that can actuallyincrease the depressant effectsof Ativan. Similarly, you should avoid opioid painkillers and sleeping aids. Always check with a doctor before taking any medications with Ativan.
If you or someone you love is struggling with Ativan or alcohol use, help is available at The Recovery Village. Contact us today to learn more about addiction treatment programs that can work well for your needs.
Visit the following websites to learn about The Recovery Village’s network of rehabilitation facilities. Call today for admissions. Each center is ready to help people learn how to cope with their Ambien addiction and uncover the root causes for their substance use disorder.
- Orlando Recovery Center: A premier rehabilitation facility in Orlando, Florida that helps individuals recover from addiction and substance use disorders. The center also offers the opportunity to treat co-occurring disorders.
- The Recovery Village Columbus: Located in Ohio,this facility provides inpatient, outpatient and aftercare treatment for people looking to begin detox. The center provides individualized plans to help patients through recovery while addressing their unique co-occurring disorders or any setbacks that may happen during recovery.
- The Recovery Village Palmer Lake:In Colorado, this facility offers inpatient, outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment for individuals looking to kick-start their journey to recovery.
- The Recovery Village Ridgefield: Located right in southern Washington,this facility provides patients with outpatient and aftercare programs. Just 20 minutes outside of Portland, this facility assists individuals who are ready to begin treatment.
- The Recovery Village: In Umatilla, Florida,this is a rehabilitation facility that provides resources for individuals seeking drug and alcohol treatment. There are inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization treatment programs available for those suffering from Ambien addiction.
- IAFF Center of Excellence:Specializes in assisting firefighters who struggle with behavioral health problems and addiction. Members can enter the recovery process sooner so they can return back to work as quickly as possible. Inpatient, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs are all available at this facility, where patients can address their Ambien addiction in a safe, supportive environment.
- Denver Mental Health & Counseling: Denver Mental Health and Counseling by The Recovery Village is a physician-led outpatient center specializing in evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, offering services such as TMS, IOP, and personalized care for both ongoing and new patients, dedicated to fostering long-term recovery and overall well-being.
- The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health: The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health is a premier physician-led treatment center in South Florida, offering a comprehensive spectrum of services from medical detox to outpatient programs for alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, with a commitment to rejuvenating lives, families, and communities, and facilitating same-day admissions.
- The Recovery Village Atlanta: Located in Roswell just outside downtown Atlanta, is a 62-bed physician-led treatment facility offering a comprehensive range of services, from medical detox to outpatient care, specializing in alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, dedicated to transforming lives, families, and communities throughout Georgia.
- The Recovery Village Kansas City: The Recovery Village Kansas City, an 80-bed facility in Raytown just 10 miles from downtown, offers a comprehensive range of evidence-based treatments for addiction and mental health conditions, overseen by physician leaders, and is dedicated to revitalizing lives, families, and communities throughout the Midwest.
- The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper Health: The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper, situated just 20 minutes from Philadelphia, is a leading rehab facility in South Jersey providing comprehensive, evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, ranging from medical detox to teletherapy, with a dedicated team committed to guiding adults on their path to lifelong recovery.