Ativan (lorazepam) vs. Valium (diazepam)

  • Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
    John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

    John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

    John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Can I become addicted to Ativan and Valium?

Both drugs can cause physical dependence and addiction. When stopping therapy, your doctor should taper off the dosage. Stopping abruptly can lead to feeling a loss of self-worth, agitation, sweating, muscle cramping, and insomnia.

What are the withdrawal symptoms of Ativan and Valium?

If you take lorazepam or diazepam continuously for longer than a few months, stopping therapy suddenly may produce serious withdrawal symptoms like:

Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 2/14/2017
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