If I take .5 mg of lorazepam for night panic attack every other night would it get addictive?

Question

Dear Christiane,
Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine. Most benzodiazepines including lorazepam can give you good relief from panic attack. So naturally you become dependent on it. But if you don't have addictive history in the past and in your blood relatives, you are less likely to depend on it. Taking only 0.5 mg, not increasing it on your own, missing it for 1-2 days in between, try and tackle panic with cognitive behaviour therapy, etc will keep you away from addiction.

Saranya Devanathan · Accepted Answer

Dear Christiane,
Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine. Most benzodiazepines including lorazepam can give you good relief from panic attack. So naturally you become dependent on it. But if you don't have addictive history in the past and in your blood relatives, you are less likely to depend on it. Taking only 0.5 mg, not increasing it on your own, missing it for 1-2 days in between, try and tackle panic with cognitive behaviour therapy, etc will keep you away from addiction.

Rashmi Navelkar · Answer

Lorazepam has addiction potential but when taken for long time. You should not take it for more than 2-3 weeks at a time if you r taking it continuously. Besides it's only prescribed for immediate and temporary relief. It's not the primary treatment. If your symptoms of panic are controlled then you need not take it every night. Instead you can take it on sos basis, as and when required. This way you will be at lesser risk of developing addiction.

Prof Jagadeesan M S · Answer

Definitely that medicine is highly addictive. It is used only for short term control of anxiety. For proper control of anxiety you need to consult psychiatrist and take medications which act on the cause of anxiety. Good luck.

Soumen Karmakar · Answer

Yes, it could - if you take it for a long time. If you need it for more than a month, consider switching to long term treatment.

Kajol Birawat · Answer

Hey lybrate-user! I understand your confusion here. It sounds like it is in your best interest to reach out to your psychiatrist who prescribed you the medication and clarify these questions. It is important to ask any doubts that you have about your medication and its effect on your body to your psychiatrist. Hope this helps :)