ativan isn't a sleeping pill so it can help you sleep, but it's not like you can take it and in 5 minutes you'll fall asleep and sleep for 6 hours....at least not with my experience....i take 1 mg when i'm super anxious or have super strong urges to self injure....for me it takes effect in probably 10 minutes, maybe a little less......as far as taking it during the day, you'll have to see how it effects you first.......you can try the 0.5 on a weekend if you don't work....like go grocery shopping and get all your errands done before the weekend and then take the 0.5 and see how it effects you......hope this helped....if you wanna talk, please feel free to message me

I've taken it as needed for about four years. It usually takes a half hour to help with sleepless nights. If I take it during a stressful day I don't find it very sedating and it works within 15-30 minutes. But we are all different.

I am prescribed 2mg 3 times a day, but I only take it at night and then 1 during the day if i really can't cope. I have been taking the 1 at night every night for the last 5 years and i still get groggy about 30-45 minutes later. If i take an extra one during the day, 20 minutes later and I am in nap mode for an hour, but I don't know if that is the Ativan or being exhausted from the anxiety attack. Good luck I have GAD, PTSD, Health Anxiety, IBS and Fibromyalgia and all I am on is Ativan and aleve.

Thank you all for your comments!!

Ativan is for anxiety but it does help with sleep. I have been on it for a couple of years now and if I take one before bed, it does help me to go to sleep. A half a mg during the day shouldn't affect you much unless you are sensitive to medications. Ativan is best taken under the tongue as it works faster if you are having an anxiety attack. I learned that from my doctor. I hope it works well for you. Hugs GB