what is the diff between lorazapam and alprazolam. Both are benzodiazapines. Which is better for anxiety?

Question

My dr. keeps giving alprazolam, not working well and I am having more anxiety attacks than ever. I hate it, its a horrible feeling. Someone help....................Anxiety is real and anyone who suffers knows what I am saying!

Answer 1

Alprazolam is generic Xanex and it works fine for me for anxiety....it comes in different mgs.........1mg, 2mg, 3mg. and i'm not sure what lorazapam is??????????? Just tell your dr. that the alprazolam is not working for you. Another drug is called Elavil and that works pretty good too except it will make you gain weight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck

Answer 2

lorazepam (generic name) is also called Ativan (brand name). It is classified as a mid-acting benzodiazepine.

alprazolam (generic name) is also called Xanax (brand name). Is it classified as a short-acting benzodiazepine.

BOTH are class D drugs, meaning that if you are pregnant or if you get pregnant there is an increased risk that it will harm the baby. Sometimes, benefits outweigh risks (i.e. you are suicidal), but generally speaking, if you are having sex and not menopausal, you should not be taking either of these medications.

The difference between the two is how FAST they act. Xanax acts much quicker. But really, it depends on how much you take of either. A large dose of Ativan might seem to work faster and better than a small dose of Xanax.

Both are DANGEROUS drugs. They are Class IV drugs and have significant abuse potential. Your body will become dependent upon them.

Xanax, being the faster acting one, is known to be abused more than Ativan. In fact, there is a HUGE market for Xanax on the street...sold illegally as "bars" or "z-bars", etc.

Many doctors have an aversion to xanax-using patients, as many (but, of course, not all) xanax users, tend to be pushy, demanding, frequently lie, and are always seeking more. They want more xanax...and at higher doses, if possible.

All-in-all, both xanax and ativan are fantastic medications, if used well and under strict coordination with ONE doctor (many of these patients go to 10+ different doctors to get 10+ prescriptions, filled at 10+ pharmacies, etc.).

So, to answer your questions:
Both are effective with anxiety. Xanax has more abuse potential. NEITHER are the BEST medical for anxiety or even Panic Disorder.

FIRST LINE MEDICATION should be an SSRI. These medications work GREAT, but not immediately. Sometimes it takes 4-6 weeks to feel results...and mayby even longer to ramp up to a high enough dose to be effective. There are minimal side-effects (if slowly ramped up), and no abuse potential.

SSRI's include Zoloft (sertraline), Paxil (paroxetine), Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro (escitalopram), Prozac (fluoxetine), etc...

I would recommend talking to your doctor and trying an SSRI, and be PATIENT with working up to the right dose. (You may have to try more than one SSRI, for some work great for one patient but may not work all that well with another). Perhaps while you are ramping up the SSRI to the right dose, an occasional ativan would be reasonable.

Finally, counseling would likely be a great idea, too...in addition to the above.

Fear/anxiety is a very difficult thing to deal with, but there are answers!

I hope this helps and that you find peace soon.

Grace and peace,
yachadhoo
;)

1 John 4:18

Answer 3

these are for attacks to be taken as needed, are you taking something like lexapro, prozac, effexor to prevent anxiety attacks? they are both good though, good luck