Ativan (lorazepam) is a benzodiazepine that is commonly prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. Ativan can be detected in various tests for several days after use. Understanding its elimination and detection times can help ensure safety, manage withdrawal, and influence criminal proceedings.
Tests that can identify Ativan in the system include saliva, blood, urine, and hair, which differ in their detection windows. Factors that can influence the elimination time of Ativan include dosage amount and frequency, age and weight, and liver functioning.
| Type of test | Peak detection time | Detection window |
|---|---|---|
| Urine | Within 24 hours after use | Up to 6 days |
| Blood | 2 hours after use | Up to 3 days |
| Saliva | Shortly after use | Up to 8 hours |
| Hair | Several days after use | Up to 30 days |
- Ativan (the generic version is called lorazepam) is a benzodiazepine medication and is used to treat anxiety disorders.
- Ativan has a half-life of about 12 hours and its effects peak after around two hours.
- Ativan can be detected in various tests, including urine and blood tests, for several days after use.
How long does Ativan (lorazepam) stay in the body?
Ativan (lorazepam) is a benzodiazepine medication used as a short-term treatment for anxiety disorders and insomnia due to anxiety. It is available as a tablet in 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg strengths. A typical daily dose of Ativan is 2 mg to 6 mg, split into two or three divided doses. Some people may require up to 10 mg per day. [1]
Ativan is metabolized by the liver and eliminated mostly by the kidneys. Its half-life is around 12 hours, which means that half of the drug has been eliminated within this time. It usually takes five half-lives to eliminate the greater majority (almost 97%) of a substance from your body. Therefore, Ativan remains in the system for several days. [3] People who have used larger doses for prolonged periods may take longer to eliminate Ativan from the body. [1][2]
Duration of effects
Ativan is a benzodiazepine and primarily causes sedation and calming effects. After administration, the effects of Ativan peak within two hours.
Detection windows for Ativan in drug tests
Ativan use can be detected in certain types of drug tests, including urine, saliva, blood, and hair. This can be used in the workplace or roadside to check for intoxication, managing withdrawal within substance use treatment, and when testing victims of drug-facilitated crimes.
Ativan detection in a urine test
Urine testing is the most common form of test to detect Ativan. Ativan can be detected in urine for around 6 days after use and is detectable within 24 hours. [4]
Ativan detection in a blood test
Blood tests are not commonly used to test for Ativan. Ativan can be detected in blood within two hours after use and remains detectable for up to three days. [2]
Ativan detection in a saliva test
Saliva tests are common within the workplace or roadside (e.g. when someone is pulled over by police under the suspicion of impaired driving), as they are noninvasive and samples are easily gathered. Ativan is detectable in saliva shortly after use and remains detectable for up to 8 hours. [4]
Ativan detection in a hair test
Hair tests are not commonly used to detect Ativan, as they can be expensive and may not always be accurate. Ativan is reportedly not as easily detectable in hair samples as other benzodiazepines. [4]
False positives for an Ativan test
Sometimes, tests can give false-positive results. This means that the test indicates the presence of Ativan when it has not been used. This can occur when certain other medications have been used, including antidepressants such as sertraline or NSAIDs such as oxaprozin, as they may contain traces of benzodiazepines or cross-react with the test. [5]
Factors that affect metabolization and detection
Managing Ativan discontinuation
Ativan is approved only for short-term treatment due to its potential for physical dependence. Dependence can develop within a few weeks of regular use, so treatments longer than this are not recommended. When treatment is stopped, there is a high risk of withdrawal symptoms. [6]
Because of this, a gradual taper is recommended when discontinuing Ativan treatment, rather than abruptly stopping. Withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, depression, insomnia, irritability, and dizziness. [1]
A safe taper will depend on the individual and the amount, frequency, and duration of Ativan treatment. People who have developed a more severe dependence may require a much slower taper than those who have only used Ativan for a brief period.
Typically, doses will be reduced by 5% to 25% every one to four weeks. This process will be monitored by the prescribing doctor, who can ensure the individual’s safety and treat any concerning withdrawal symptoms. [6]
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