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Key takeaways
The generic name of Ativan is lorazepam, and it’s widely available in the United States.
Lorazepam is identical to Ativan in active ingredients and formulation, and it often costs hundreds of dollars less.
Other than lorazepam, other generic alternatives to Ativan include other benzodiazepines, atypical antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics, SSRIs, and certain anticonvulsants.
Whether it’s from a big presentation, a difficult conversation, an upcoming test, or seemingly nothing at all, the grip of anxiety can feel downright unbreakable. But, prescription drugs like Ativan can help loosen it, giving patients some much-needed relaxation. Ativan is a benzodiazepine medication used for symptoms of anxiety disorders and anxiety-related insomnia. Yet the price of brand-name Ativan might have you wondering if you can get a generic version at a lower price. Here’s all the important information.
Is there a generic for Ativan?
The generic version of Ativan is called lorazepam. It was first approved by the FDA in 1985, and it’s currently widely available in the U.S.
What are the differences between brand name and generic Ativan?
The FDA requires all generic drugs to have the same active ingredient, strength, formulation (tablet, capsule, etc.), and route of administration as their reference products. “For most patients, brand-name Ativan and generic lorazepam are 100% interchangeable,” says Dr. Sharon Batista, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Mount Sinai Hospital. “I rarely encounter a clinical reason to choose brand-name Ativan over generic lorazepam.”
Generic and brand-name Ativan have similar uses, possible side effects, drug interactions, and contraindications. “The big differences between the two include inactive ingredients and cost,” says Dr. Jasmine Kaur, MD, a psychiatrist with Mindpath Health. “Inactive ingredients between the two can vary, which can make a difference to some patients who may be allergic or sensitive to those components.”
While generics are typically just as effective as their brand-name counterparts, there has been some varying research on the topic. A 2020 study found that brand-name antidepressants performed better at preventing hospitalization than their generic counterparts, while a broader study on various drug classes (including psychiatric drugs) found that generics typically have comparable results.
Either way, brand-name Ativan and generic lorazepam have a lot of similarities.
| Ativan (lorazepam) | |
| Uses |
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| Standard dosage |
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| Common side effects |
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| Contraindications |
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How much is generic Ativan?
“For the vast majority of people, choosing the generic form is much more economical and likely just as effective as the brand-name version. My clinical experience has echoed this as well,” Dr. Kaur says. Research has suggested that brand-name drugs can sometimes cost ten times more than their generics, and with Ativan oral tablets, that ratio can be even greater. Here are the pricing details.
Brand vs. generic Ativan prices |
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|---|---|---|
| Brand-name Ativan | Generic Ativan (lorazepam) | |
| Average cost without insurance | $1,275 for 30, 0.5 mg tablets of Ativan | $29 for 30, 0.5 mg tablets of lorazepam |
| SingleCare’s lowest price | $5 for 30, 0.5 mg tablets of generic Ativan | $5 for 30, 0.5 mg tablets of lorazepam |
| Free coupons | Ativan coupons | Lorazepam coupons |
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Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
Is Ativan covered by insurance?
One of the most reliable ways to save on Ativan—whether it’s brand name or generic—is insurance. Whether you have commercial insurance, Medicare Part D, or Medicaid, insurance plans will typically provide coverage, as long as it’s prescribed for an FDA-approved purpose. So, if your healthcare provider prescribed Ativan for an off-label indication, you might not receive the same coverage.
According to Dr. Batista, however, insurance plans almost always favor generic Ativan over the brand-name version. This doesn’t mean insurance will always refuse to cover brand-name Ativan, but generic lorazepam might have lower copays.
In some cases, insurance companies might request prior authorization before they approve coverage for Ativan. This is how they confirm that the drug is medically necessary, and it might entail anything from additional documentation to trying other drugs first.
Generic alternatives to Ativan
Lorazepam is the most comparable generic alternative to Ativan, but there are several others. Several similar drugs have generic options as well. Your healthcare provider can determine which are viable for you, but it’s good to know your options.
- Other benzodiazepines: Klonopin (clonazepam), Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), midazolam
- Atypical antidepressants: Remeron (mirtazapine)
- Atypical antipsychotics: Seroquel (quetiapine), Zyprexa (olanzapine)
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): Zoloft (sertraline), Prozac (fluoxetine), Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro (escitalopram), Paxil (paroxetine)
- Anti-anxiety medications: Buspirone
- Anticonvulsants: Neurontin (gabapentin), Lyrica (pregabalin)
Some of these alternatives might be FDA-approved for Ativan’s off-label uses—health conditions like panic disorders, general insomnia, delirium, and alcohol withdrawal. Some might also be less expensive, or receive better coverage from your specific insurance plan.
Ultimately, however, the decision to switch from Ativan to an alternative starts with your healthcare provider. Whether you’re experiencing adverse effects, the price is too high, or you aren’t happy with the effectiveness, the first step in switching is scheduling an office visit. There, your healthcare provider can lay out your options and offer medical advice on a medication that will work for your medical condition, medical history, other medicines you take, budget, and preferences.
Just remember: don’t stop taking Ativan cold turkey. Since it’s a controlled substance that may lead to misuse or addiction, abrupt cessation can cause withdrawal symptoms. Your healthcare provider will typically wean you off slowly before starting you on a new prescription medication.
- Ativan- lorazepam tablet, DailyMed (2011)
- Overview & basics, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2023)
- Brand-name antidepressants outperform their generic counterparts in preventing hospitalization for depression: The real-world evidence from Taiwan, International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology (2020)
- Comparative effectiveness of generic and brand-name medication use: A database study of US health insurance claims, PLoS Medicine (2019)
- Brand name versus generic?, Epilepsy Currents (2023)
- Prior authorization: What is it, when might you need it, and how do you get it?, Harvard Health Publishing (2024)
- Dr. Sharon Batista, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Mount Sinai Hospital
- Dr. Jasmine Kaur, MD, a psychiatrist with Mindpath Health