Can anyone tell me what the differences are between the drugs Ativan, and klonopin?

Question

I asked my doctor to try me out on ativan for my anxiety because a good friend of mine who has severe anxiety takes it and it seems to help her a lot. I suggested ativan because of my friends suggestion, and because i'd never heard of klonopin. What works best for panic disorder, and what are the differences between the two. Thanks for listening and I appeciate any advice from anyone who can empathise with me.

Answer 1

Both of these drugs are not good for treating panic disorder for a long term basis.

Lorazepam (marketed under the brand names Ativan®, Temesta®, Tavor®) is a drug which is a benzodiazepine derivative. Pharmacologically, it is classified as a sedative-hypnotic, anxiolytic and anticonvulsant.

Clonazepam (marketed by Roche under the trade-names Klonopin in the United States and Rivotril in Europe, South America, Canada, and Australia) is a drug which is a benzodiazepine derivative. It is a highly potent anticonvulsant, amnestic and anxiolytic.

A panic attack is a period of intense fear or psychological distress, typically of abrupt onset. Symptoms may include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation, paresthesias (tingling sensations), and sensations of choking or smothering. Repeated and apparently unprovoked panic attacks may be a sign of panic disorder, but panic attacks are associated with other anxiety disorders as well. For example, people who suffer from phobias may experience panic attacks upon exposure to certain triggers.

Most sufferers of panic attacks report a fear of,dying, "going crazy", or losing control of emotions or behavior. These feelings generally provoke a strong urge to escape or flee the place where the attack began ("fight or flight" reaction) and, when associated with chest pain or shortness of breath, a feeling of impending doom and/or tunnel vision, frequently result in the sufferer seeking medical attention.

The panic attack is distinguished from other forms of anxiety by its intensity and its sudden, episodic nature. Panic attacks are often experienced by sufferers of anxiety disorders and other psychological conditions involving anxiety, though panic attacks are not always indicative of a mental disorder, nor are they uncommon. Up to 10 percent of otherwise healthy people experience an isolated panic attack per year, and 1 in 60 people in the U.S. will suffer from a panic disorder at some point in their lifetime.

People with phobias will often experience panic attacks as a direct result of exposure to their trigger. These panic attacks are usually short-lived and self-limiting, as they will subside once the trigger is no longer present.

In conditions of chronic anxiety, one panic attack can roll into another, leading to nervous exhaustion over a period of days.

The symptoms of a panic attack appear suddenly, without any apparent cause. They may include:

Sweating
Shortness of Breath (dyspnea)
Racing or pounding heartbeat or palpitations
Chest pain
Dizziness or Vertigo
Lightheadedness
Nausea / Stomach Pains
Hyperventilation
Choking or smothering sensations
Tingling or numbness in the hands, face, feet or mouth (Paresthesia)
Hot/Cold Flashes
Faintness
Trembling or shaking
Dream-like sensation or perceptual distortion (derealization)
Dissociation, or the perception that one is not connected to the body or is disconnected from space and time (depersonalization)
Terror, or a sense that something unimaginably horrible is about to occur and one is powerless to prevent it
Tunnel vision
Fear of losing control
Fear of death
Fear of going crazy
The loss of the ability to react logically to oncoming stimuli
Loss of cognitive ability in general
Heightened senses
Loud internal dialogue
Exhaustion
A panic attack typically lasts ten minutes according to the American Psychological Association. More severe panic attacks may form a series of episodes waxing and waning every few minutes, only to be ended by physical exhaustion and sleep.

The various symptoms of a panic attack can be understood as follows. First, there is the sudden onset of fear with little or no provoking stimulus. This leads to a release of adrenaline (epinephrine) which brings about the so-called fight-or-flight response where the person's body prepares for major physical activity. This leads to an increased heart rate (tachycardia), rapid breathing (hyperventilation), and sweating (which increases grip and aids heat loss). Because strenuous activity rarely ensues, the hyperventilation leads to a drop in carbon dioxide levels in the lungs and then in the blood. This leads to shifts in blood pH which can in turn lead to many other symptoms, such as tingling or numbness, dizziness, and lightheadedness. It is also possible for the person experiencing such an attack to feel as though they are unable to catch their breath, and they begin to take deeper breaths, which also acts to decrease carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

Hyperventilation alone can bring about some of the symptoms of a panic attack. However, the person experiencing the panic attack often does not realize this and sees these symptoms as further evidence of how serious their condition is. An ensuing positive feedback loop of adrenaline release fuels worsening physical symptoms and psychological distress.

While the symptoms and the seriousness of panic disorder are very real, the feelings of panic or impending death that accompany many attacks are grossly exaggerated. Many physicians tell panic disorder sufferers that while their body is affected by the attack, they are not in any risk of fatality (except due to auxiliary reactions such as crashing a car, running into traffic, committing suicide, etc). If a sufferer can anticipate an attack and find a safe place to release, there is little immediate risk.

Treatment
Panic disorder is real and potentially disabling, but it can be controlled. Because of the disturbing symptoms that accompany panic disorder, it may be mistaken for a life-threatening medical illness. This misconception often aggravates or triggers future attacks. People frequently go to hospital emergency rooms when they are having a panic attack, and extensive medical tests may be performed to rule out these other conditions, thus creating further anxiety.

Treatment for panic disorder includes medications and a type of psychotherapy known as cognitive-behavioral therapy. Normally the mental health professionals that can assist you in treatment of panic disorder are psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers. To pursue a medical treatment for panic disorder, one should visit a medical doctor, typically a psychiatrist. Psychotherapy is typically provided by a clinical or counseling psychologist or a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). More information on Mental health professionals

Medications can be used to break the psychological connection between a specific phobia and panic attacks. Medications can include:

antidepressants (SSRIs, MAOIs, etc.) taken every day
anti-anxiety drugs (benzodiazepines) during or in anticipation of panic attacks.
Exposure to the phobia trigger multiple times without a resulting panic attack (due to medication) can often break the phobia-panic pattern, allowing people to function around their phobia without the help of medications. However, minor phobias that develop as a result of the panic attack can often be eliminated without medication through monitored cognitive-behavioral therapy or simply by exposure. The decision to participate in this therapy personally or through a registered practitioner should always be made in conjunction with a medical professional.

Usually, a combination of psychotherapy and medications produces good results. Some improvement may be noticed in a fairly short period of time -- about 6 to 8 weeks. Often, it may take longer to find the right pair of medications and mental health professional. Thus appropriate treatment by an experienced professional can prevent panic attacks or at least substantially reduce their severity and frequency--bringing significant relief to 70 to 90 percent of people with panic disorder. [2] Relapses may occur, but they can often be effectively treated just like the initial episode.

In addition, people with panic disorder may need treatment for other emotional problems. Clinical depression has often been associated with panic disorder, as have alcoholism and drug addiction. About 30% of people with panic disorder use alcohol and 17% use drugs such as cocaine or marijuana to alleviate the anguish and distress caused by their condition. Research has also suggested that suicide attempts are more frequent in people with panic disorder, although this research remains controversial.

As with many disorders, having a support structure of family and friends who understand the condition can help increase the rate of recovery. During an attack, it is not uncommon for the sufferer to develop irrational, immediate fear, which can often be dispelled by a supporter who is familiar with the condition. For more serious or active treatment, there are support groups for anxiety sufferers which can help people understand and deal with the disorder.

Other forms of treatment include journalling, in which a patient records their day-to-day activities and emotions in a log to find and deal with their personal stresses. Breathing exercises, such as diaphragmatic breathing, can also be found helpful. In some cases, a therapist may use a procedure called interoceptive exposure, in which the symptoms of a panic attack are induced in order to promote coping skills and show the patient that no harm can come from a panic attack. Stress-relieving activities such as tai-chi, yoga, and physical exercise can also help ameliorate the causes of panic disorder. Many physicians will recommend stress-management, time-management, and emotion-balancing classes and seminars to help patients avoid anxiety in the future. Research has also shown that the herbal supplement 5-htp can be used to treat panic disorders by its ability to boost serotonin levels. This works by providing the body with the raw material to make serotonin, as opposed to SSRIs which work by recycling serotonin. It is an excellent choice if the sufferer would like to pursue a more natural approach first.

If you want to manage it pharmacologically I recommend you SSRIs. They are:

Celexa / Cipramil (citalopram oxalate)

Lexapro / Cipralex (escitalopram oxalate)

Luvox / Floxyfral / Faverin (fluvoxamine maleate)

Paxil / Aropax / Paroxat / Paxetin / Seroxat (paroxetine)

Prozac / Erocap / Lorien / Lovan / Zactin (fluoxetine)

Zoloft / Lustral (sertraline)

Answer 2

I tried Ativan and didnt like it so I switched to Klonopin and it works. It takes away my panic attacks and my anxiety. I dont know what the difference is between them, but the Klonopin works best for me. I certainly empathise with you. Ive suffered with panic attacks since I was 16. It really sucks. Try the Klonopin, I think you'll like it. I take 0.5mg twice a day.

Answer 3

Alright this one is a bit of a toughy but I have been on both and can explain it to you. Klonapin is a drug that takes a few weeks to start to get into your system but it is a good one. Klonapin is used for a variety of problems. It will work on anxiety (nervousness) and panic attacks and once it is completely into your system it will work well at least it usually does on most people but there are always exceptions to the rules.

Ativan is a short acting tranquilizer that gets into your system right away but does not last very long maybe four to five hours and you have to take it again. It is a very short acting drug. It just depends on your system.

Klonapin worked well for me but I was on it for so long that it began to lose its effect so my doctor put me on Xanax which has been a miracle drug for me, but your best decision would be the one that the doctor chooses not the one that you choose after all he is the doctor and should know the best. Good Luck and God Bless you.

Answer 4

Ativan and Klonipin are trade names for lorazepam and clonazepam, respectively. Valium and Xanax are trade names. All are anxiety medicines.

Answer 5

Well, its a hell of alot easier on your body if you try the Ativan first. They both work well for panic disorder, but it really depends on to what degree you have it. Try the Ativan first, it is not addictive, then if that doesnt work tell your doctor and he may switch you to the Klonopin. But I dont suggest the Klonopin, because its addictive (in my opinion) and it can get you high or very sleepy. Ativan can too, but you'd have to take such a large amount it isnt worth speaking of. Klonopin has been used for panic disorder, but I had a friend of mine whose doctor prescribed it for his DT's (he was an alcoholic).

Answer 6

My suggestion would be go to a pharmacist and ask to look at his PDR (Physician's Desk Reference) and look up the drugs you are asking about and read from there. That way you get the straight information and not guesses by those on here.

Answer 7

ativan lasts a lil longer then klonopin and klonpin is a lil more potent

Answer 8

http://www.drugs.com/mtm/a/ativan.html
http://www.drugs.com/mtm/k/klonopin.html