Drug testing may be performed for several reasons, most notably by companies and organizations to screen prospective and current employees for substance abuse problems. That said, sometimes legal drugs prescribed for legitimate health purposes might produce “false positives” for illicit drugs. Therefore, many people who use various preparations for acceptable reasons might be concerned with the specific durations certain substances linger in their system.
How Long Does Ativan Stay In Your System? (Blood, Urine, Hair)
Scientists maintain that the drug has a half-life of roughly 12 hours. This means that 12 hours are needed for half of the drug’s ingested amount to exit one’s system. That said, what remains typically takes about three-and-a-half days to be eliminated from the average person’s bloodstream ultimately.
| Test | Saliva | Blood | Urine | Hair |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time | 8 hours | 3 days | 6-9 days | 4 weeks |
Factors Determining Elimination Rates
Numerous different factors play into how long Ativan stays in a user’s body. Arguably, the two most crucial considerations are how long the individual in question has been using the drug and the size of the administered dosages. Other aspects not to be overlooked include the user’s age, weight, genetic makeup, chemical and brain chemistry, and the presence of any potentially dangerous underlying ailments.
Presence In Other Bodily Components And Fluids
To determine if an individual is currently using or has recently ingested a specific drug, administrators might request that they submit bodily components like hair samples or systemic fluids like urine or saliva.
About Ativan, urine samples can reveal traces of the drug for as long as a week. Moreover, metabolites of the preparation, which are byproducts of the drug, may appear up to 10 days. Hair samples often demonstrate small amounts of Ativan for up to 30 days. However, these tests usually do not yield positive results unless several days have passed since the user ingested their first dose. Saliva tests can produce positive outcomes. That said, this is typically only the case for up to eight hours after ingestion.
Ativan Overview
Lorazepam is the Scientific word for Ativan, which is a part of the Benzodiazepines family. From a systemic standpoint, these drugs are considered central nervous system depressants.
Clinical Uses
Ativan has several clinical uses. The drug has commonly prescribed a sedative for people with a host of anxiety disorders. However, this substance has garnered relatively positive results in treating physical manifestations associated with chemotherapy effects and irritable bowel syndrome. Moreover, Ativan is also prescribed to help those struggling with alcohol withdrawal.
Systemic Impact
Ativan can be administered in several ways. The most common method is the capsules. However, the drug can also be given in the liquid form and through intravenous injections. When taken in pill or liquid form, effects typically reach a peak in roughly two hours. However, the results often begin 15 minutes to a half-hour following injection.Â
Ativan’s side effects include dizziness, fatigue, vision disturbances, headaches, balance or coordination issues, pronounced drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and cognitive problems like concentration or memory difficulties. Also of note is Ativan can contraindicate usage with other nervous system depressants and alcohol, and users should exercise extreme caution in avoiding said substances when undergoing a course of treatment.
Additionally, Ativan is classified as a Schedule IV drug, meaning it is not considered a severe threat to precipitate chemical dependence the way certain more addictive drugs can. However, addiction can and does occur. As with other nervous system-impacting drugs, over time, larger intakes are needed to produce intended clinical results. Therefore, the medication is typically only prescribed for short durations. Furthermore, abrupt cessation of the drug can result in withdrawal manifestations, such as restlessness, insomnia, and nervousness.
