ativan and alcohol

[Sil3nt]

I was drinking 2 days ago and i was not drunk but very very buzzed. i went to sleep, or rather tried to, but i couldnt. i used to have a problem with anxiety but ive never had a hard time getting to sleep while drinking before, especially since my anxiety was virtually gone. but that night my heart was racing, and i just lay in my bed for 8 hours without being able to sleep. i felt so terrible. i have ativan (lorazipam) and wanted to take it to calm myself down but i was afraid something bad would happen. what should i have done in case it happens again? if i cant take ativan then what should i do if this does happen?

[Theresa Jones, RN]

Hi Sil3nt,
It would be quite unadvisable to use the medication ativan in conjuction with alcohol. Heart racing etc. may have been due to the simple fact of having an anxiety attack by laying for such an extended time without falling asleep. Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) is an over the counter medication commonly used for sleep but in some people the effect is the opposite, causing insomnia. Talk to your doctor prior to using this medication (or any medication for that matter) in conjuction with alcohol use to prevent undesirable side effects.
Sincerely,
Rntdj