How Long Does Ativan Stay in Your System?

Ativan is a benzodiazepine, which means that it has sedative and hypnotic effects.

Ativan can be given as a tablet, liquid concentrate, or by injection.

woman in bed taking medication with water

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The different routes have different timetables for when they take effect.

How Long Does Ativan Last?

This drug is metabolized primarily by the liver.

It is then eliminated by the kidneys, through the urine.

In all, Ativan may be present in the body up to nine days past the last use.

Disclosing your prescription to the testing lab helps them accurately interpret the test results.

Blood

Ativan can be detected by blood tests six hours after ingestion.

This jot down of test can also detect the drug for three days after the last use.

Urine screening tests can detectintermediate-acting benzodiazepinessuch as Ativan up to five days after the last use.

If given a hair test, this drug can be detected for up to 30 days after use.

False Positive Testing

Some medications may result in a false positive urine screen for Ativan.

Always disclose any prescription or over-the-counter medications to lab clinicians so they can accurately interpret your drug screen results.

Dosage and Frequency of Use

Higher doses of Ativan take longer to metabolize.

But Ativan can still be habit-forming.As a result, it’s usually prescribed only for short periods.

Your healthcare provider may gradually lower your dosage to help reduce withdrawal effects.

If you experience bothersome or severe withdrawal symptoms, contact your provider or seek emergency medical treatment.

If you suspect that someone has overdosed on Ativan, call 911 immediately.

Always tell your provider whenever you plan to start a new medication or stop using one.

Quitting Ativan suddenly can be dangerous or even life-threatening due to the increased risk of seizures during thewithdrawal process.

In most cases, you’re free to detoxify from the drug on an outpatient basis.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

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