Ativan and booze
December 31, 2014 9:17 PM Subscribe
24 hours ago, I took 1 mg of lorazepam to fly. Can I safely have 1 or 2 drinks to ring in the new year? The Internet says 12-hour half life, but I want to be cautious...
IANAD, but I can tell you that I've had a drink or two after taking 1 mg of lorazepam and never had any problem. And I hadn't waited a full 24 hours between the two. If you limit yourself to a reasonable amount of alcohol, you should be fine.
posted by holborne at 9:21 PM on December 31, 2014
posted by holborne at 9:21 PM on December 31, 2014
IANAD either, but a drink 24 hours after a 1mg lorazepam dose would be fully within the ok realm for me. Drink slowly, stop if you feel loopy.
posted by bedhead at 9:26 PM on December 31, 2014
posted by bedhead at 9:26 PM on December 31, 2014
IANAD, depending on your tolerance to the medication this can be very subjective. Lorazepam is a medication that is classified as a derivative of benzodiapine. Numerous other medications fall within this class and all will affect your tolerance and bodies ability to metabolize and excrete the medication. On top of that, they're other non-related OTC & prescription drugs that will also have the same impact.
To be safe just take it slow. I wouldn't drink more than a beer (or equivalent) an hour to start, but remember I'm no doctor, so use your best judgment.
MOST OF ALL, Don't drive if you are inhibited in anyway by prescriptions or alcohol, use your head.
posted by isopropyl at 9:37 PM on December 31, 2014 [1 favorite]
To be safe just take it slow. I wouldn't drink more than a beer (or equivalent) an hour to start, but remember I'm no doctor, so use your best judgment.
MOST OF ALL, Don't drive if you are inhibited in anyway by prescriptions or alcohol, use your head.
posted by isopropyl at 9:37 PM on December 31, 2014 [1 favorite]
Also not a doctor but a person who takes lorazepam to fly, at 24 hours after 1 mg, I would be fine to have a drink, but definitely pay attention to what you're feeling and make sure someone you trust knows your concern.
(once, I forgot I had taken the lorazepam when I got on the plane and then ordered a scotch from the stewardess. I was sound asleep in about five minutes and stayed that way until wheels down 4+ hours later. I stumbled off the plane and through the airport to the people meeting me with no ill effects, but it was a little scary how fast I went down. This has never happened to me even 8 hours after taking a lorazepam)
posted by crush-onastick at 9:48 PM on December 31, 2014
(once, I forgot I had taken the lorazepam when I got on the plane and then ordered a scotch from the stewardess. I was sound asleep in about five minutes and stayed that way until wheels down 4+ hours later. I stumbled off the plane and through the airport to the people meeting me with no ill effects, but it was a little scary how fast I went down. This has never happened to me even 8 hours after taking a lorazepam)
posted by crush-onastick at 9:48 PM on December 31, 2014
Response by poster: Thanks, all! Ended up skipping the booze aside from a couple sips. Happy New Year!
posted by c'mon sea legs at 1:08 AM on January 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by c'mon sea legs at 1:08 AM on January 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
For future reference:
I've drank *immediately* after taking lorazepam even thought you're not supposed to do so. The thing to keep in mind is that mixing the two greatly increases the effect of both. So expect each drink to effectively be ~3x more powerful and also that you might just randomly fall asleep.
Personally, I wouldn't worry about mixing the two at home but I wouldn't want to be that out of control away from home, especially if you have to take any responsibility for getting yourself home (not only would you definitely not be safe enough to drive, but you might not even be able to navigate public transport).
But after 24 hours? It should be fine.
posted by Jacqueline at 10:42 PM on January 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
I've drank *immediately* after taking lorazepam even thought you're not supposed to do so. The thing to keep in mind is that mixing the two greatly increases the effect of both. So expect each drink to effectively be ~3x more powerful and also that you might just randomly fall asleep.
Personally, I wouldn't worry about mixing the two at home but I wouldn't want to be that out of control away from home, especially if you have to take any responsibility for getting yourself home (not only would you definitely not be safe enough to drive, but you might not even be able to navigate public transport).
But after 24 hours? It should be fine.
posted by Jacqueline at 10:42 PM on January 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
« Older How can I connect speakers to a receiver with... | Is There An App For Finding Least Expensive Items... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by c'mon sea legs at 9:18 PM on December 31, 2014