Ativan and Celexa
 

Okay for years I have needed help driving and the docs gave me super low dose ativan .05 to take before I go out. I always felt like I was moving differently down the road and the ativan stops that feeling altogether.

Last spring doc put me on Celexa because I was feeling very sad for a long time. She also liked the drug because it helps with things like depression, anxiety, OCD, phobia etc and was hoping I'd see some improvement with the anxiety my "balance issue" caused.

Well, I think I'm starting to take too much Ativan. Keep in mind I only take it when I know I have to drive a ways. So maybe once in a couple of weeks. I take one the night before and one in the morning....that way I know its in my system. It always made me feel great! (Ativan takes forever for me to start working).

But now I take the Celexa in the morning too. And the past couple times I've gone out I feel a bit dopey or foggy by the time I get home.

Anyone else have this issue with these types of drugs? I'm thinking I better take on .05 ativan at night and the celexa in the morning and call it good.

Geez it would be great if I can get the good results with just the celexa alone.

That's pretty common for both of those drugs mixed together. I take Celexa in the morning and I could swear it makes me drowsy! The doctor confirmed this and suggested I take it at night. You might play around a bit when you take the Ativan and Celexa--trying different amounts at different times. Better yet, let your doc know and he/she can suggest a plan. Good luck!

The max for ativan is supposed to be 2mg per day. After that they may bump you to klonopin.

it is common for drugs mixed together to increase in sleepyness or other effects.

its no fun to feel so anxious. hang in there. :hug:

By ALL means check with your doc before messing around with decreasing/increasing dosages or changing the times you take them. I've had some friends lately who have caused themselves problems by fiddling with their meds.

I know there are some meds that you can self-adjust, but I never dare guess which ones. A friend ended up in the hospital because she abruptly stopped taking klonopin. And another friend switched something between morning and night and it didn't go over well with another med he was taking; took a long time to get re-adjusted.

Benzos are harder to tolerate as we age. Or if your kidney functions are changing.(this happens with the elderly).

Ativan is a moderate acting one. Xanax has the shortest half life,
Ativan is next as moderate, Valium is long, Klonopin the longest.
(this does not include the sleeping types, Temazepam and
Dalmane).

So if you are having some issues with sedation, either cut the ativan in 1/2 or cut out that night time dose entirely.

Xanax has the fastest onset, orally and briefest active time.
Ativan is longer acting and therefore used in institutions and hospitals more often for this reason.

You might mention this to your doctor... as a dosage adjustment may be in order. And perhaps some kidney tests too, to check your clearance rates.

I occasionally take both. I take the Ativan for muscle spasms. However, I only take 1 0.5 mg tablet. That 1 tablet lasts me a good 24 hours. It may be that taking 0.5 mg at night and 0.5 mg in the morning is too much for you and that is what is making you so sleepy. (I know it would me but I'm a light weight.;) And, it only takes about an hour for the Ativan to kick in and start working for me.).

Next time, maybe try skipping one of the doses (either morning or night) and see if that makes a difference.

And, B2Y does have a good point, always check with a dr. before changing dosages on regular medications and/or talk to the pharmacist about it (many times they are more knowledgeable than the drs. on medications, interactions, side effects, etc.).