Hi all... I have lots of issues... OCD, PTSD, anxiety and depression. I also suffer from an autoimmune disease that causes me great distress and will most likely shorten my life. I am 63 and currently take .5 mg of Ativan as needed. When I take it, I feel somewhat ‘normal’ and am able to function. My doctor is leery of giving me this long term despite all of the above issues. He now wants me to try Buspar. Has anyone found this to have the same affect as Ativan or at least close to it?
Thanks.
Buspar versus Ativan-do they have the potential to act in the same manner?
Question posted by Anonymous on 1 Jan 2021
Last updated on 2 January 2021
4 Answers
kevinb1953
1 Jan 2021
I agree with all three previous answers, however, nobody has addressed a concern/question that I have.
How long have you been on this medication? How many times is "as needed"
I raise these questions because stopping any benzodiapene suddenly can cause a host of withdrawal problems, depending on your personal intake and situation(s)
Best Regards,
Kevinb1953
WildcatVet
2 Jan 2021
I've been taking buspirone for about 4 years. It is not usually prescribed as an "as needed" medication because it takes several weeks for the drug to become fully effective but the maximum dosage is 60mg/day in 2 or 3 doses.
It's not a benzodiazepine so habituation is not likely although a doctor should provide information on discontinuation.
WildcatVet
1 Jan 2021
Both masso and Rathmullan have posted excellent comments.
Personally, I've been taking buspirone for several years and it works very well for me. As R says, take it slow and don't expect instant relief as this medication may take several weeks to become fully effective.
Best regards and a healthy and happy New Year to all!
Rathmullan
1 Jan 2021
Initially you may be disappointed in buspar as it may not produce the immediate calming effect of a benzodiazepine. This will be true for those who are use to benzodiazepine and as a result many will react by upping the dose of Buspar in hopes of replicating the benzodiazepine effect.
I personally think this is the wrong approach. Patients should start Buspar by taking 5mg X 3 times each day (or 7.5 mg X 2 times each day) and allow it a full 2 or even 3 months to reach its full effect. If the patient requires a greater anxiolytic response at that point then the dose can be increased by 50%.
But I would urge You to try Buspar and it give it months (not days nor weeks) to kick in. Buspar should be viewed as a long term solution. Unfortunately, the medical community once believed benzodiazepine to be a long term solution and discovered over decades that this was not the case. As always, it is best to avoid all alcohol, especially during the initiation and trial dosage period.
Take care for now and all the best.
masso
1 Jan 2021
Ativan , Lorazepam is the active ingredient and belongs to the drug class of benzodiazepines and as you know they are very addictive both psychological and physical on the other hand Buspar, active ingredient Buspirone is not a controlled drug and it treats anxiety panic disorders and belongs to the drug class miscellaneous anxiolytics and it is not addictive as a benzo is.
Having said that, please click on the link for a full comparison between both meds:
Related topics
ativan, buspar, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, disease, autoimmune
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