Posted by Alan on December 3, 2001, at 21:57:27
In reply to Re: Ativan, more effect over time? » adamie, posted by IsoM on December 3, 2001, at 17:12:12
> Ativan is the brand name for a sublingual benzodiazepine, in other words, a tranquiliser. Benzodiapzepines have the tendency for people to develop tolerance to them & find they need to increase the dosage to get the same effect, especially if they're used frequently or regularly. There's a strong tendency for addiction to develop too. This is why doctors prefer to give them only for short-term use or to take occasionally as needed.
>
> If used properly, they can be very helpful for short-term anxiety problems but as a long-term help in controlling anxiety, there's better & less addictive meds.
*********************************************This is simply not true as evidenced by the facts about benzodiazapines of which Ativan (not designed sublingually but used that way in many cases) is just one. I take it.
Please read this link and scroll to benzodiazapines:
http://bearpaw8.tripod.com/pd.html
Specialists that treat chronic anxiety as well as the World Health Organisation have reviewed ALL of the evidence from hundreds of studies and concluded that this medication is safe for short AND long term use without fear of "addiction" and "escalation" and all the negative connotations that these words invoke. "Medical dependence" is the less obselete usage. The distinction in the two terms is borne out by the facts. Doseages remain the same once the proper level is found providing that one has a legitimately diagnosed anxiety disorder. Tapering off of ANY med including the ssri's including Paxil, etc have shown just as many discontinuation problems and the BZD's are over 40 years old and going strong. The effects of the tapering process is just as risky and can be as difficult for any other medication even though they are not technically considered "addictive".
Please read. I'm sure that despite the webpage's longishness, it is well worth understanding...
Alan
PS. Ativan works immediately unlike the start up time needed for AD's.
poster:Alan
thread:85872
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011202/msgs/85923.html