Question:
does anyone know how Ativan helps alcohol and what are the side affects?

   — mresendez11 (posted on November 29, 2007)

November 29, 2007
I take a generic for Ativan on a daily basis, before and AFTER the RNY procedure was done. It works OK for me, but I don't understand your reference to alcohol.
   — Dave Chambers

November 29, 2007
Ativan is mostly used for anxiety issues so it may have been prescribed to calm ur nerves while trying to stop drinking!
   — TanyaMay

December 8, 2007
i'm a pharmacist, so here's my answer......Ativan (generic name: lorazepam) works on the same receptor in the brain, the GABA receptor. Ativan is mainly used as an anti-anxiety, ant-agitation agent, but i've seen it used for alcohol withdrawal to prevent "DTs" and seizures. It has a short half-life, so a drug in the same class with a longer half-life (like Librium) might be a better agent for outpatient use. I'd recommend not doing WLS until you've withdrawn from the alcohol. The anesthesia, pain meds, and alcohol withdrawal in the hospital post-op is not a good combination. Good luck.
   — NMlakerFan