Anxiety, depression, and similar mental health issues are on the rise, and advanced medications have been on the increase, too. Many doctors prescribe two medicines, Xanax vs Clonazepam, to help mental health patients, and these two stand out as some of the best pills for anxiety. But like every drug, these two have side effects too. One of the major reasons it becomes important to talk about these two medicines is that people dealing with mental health issues ask: clonazepam or Xanax, which is better? We’ll find out, and with that, we will also understand the difference between Xanax and clonazepam.
Xanax vs Clonazepam: Comparing The Differences, Benefits, And Side Effects
What is Xanax?
Xanax is a brand name for a benzodiazepine drug named alprazolam. It is prescribed when one suffers from anxiety. It is used as a CNS depressant, and it helps in the short-term treatment of anxiety or panic. Doctors have prescribed Xanax for quick, effective treatment of anxiety, but as it is an addictive drug, it is regarded as a Schedule IV drug due to its potential for misuse. It is prescribed temporarily as it has a high dependency risk.
What is Clonazepam?
Clonazepam is a prescribed benzodiazepine drug known by its brand name Klonopin. It is recommended for seizures and panic issues. It helps cure seizure disorders like Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and also absence seizures. While it is mostly prescribed for seizures, doctors can also recommend it for anxiety issues, bipolar disorder, and sleep disorders. Clonazepam is also a Schedule IV medication, which means it is strictly used only on a doctor’s advice, as it is highly addictive and has a high dependency risk.
How do Xanax and Clonazepam work?
Both medications work with the same working process. They work by binding to the GABA receptors in the brain. When they bind to these receptors, they enhance the quality of the chemicals in the nerve cells, which makes the cells less excitable and slows down activity in the central nervous system. This produces a calming effect that helps to relieve anxiety, relax muscles, and, in some cases, control seizures.
What is The Difference Between Xanax and Clonazepam?
Xanax and Clonazepam do differ in many aspects. Both may be sedatives, yet have a different onset of action, half-life, dosing frequency, and so on. Let’s understand those differentiating factors in the explanation below;
- Onset of action: Xanax has a quick onset and works efficiently within minutes of taking the medication. Whereas Clonazepam works much slowly and might take 1-4 hours for it to alleviate any seizure or anxiety. That is why Xanax is preferred by many patients over Clonazepam.
- Duration of efficacy: As Xanax takes a shorter period of onset, it also takes no time to start working effectively on our brain, which is around 4-6 hours. Clonazepam, on the other hand, takes around 8-12 hours to help one get through their anxiety.
- Uses:
Xanax usage;
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Fear of flying
- OCD
- Premenstrual symptoms
- Pain
Clonazepam uses;
- Seizures
- Panic Attacks
- Anxiety
- Sleep-related Issue
- Restless Legs
- Tremor
- Acute Mania
- Alcohol Withdrawal
- Half-Life: Clonazepam, due to its longer onset and duration, has a longer half-life, which is approximately 19-60 hours. Xanax has a much shorter half-life compared to clonazepam, which is around 9-20 hours.
- Dosage: Clonazepam is advised to be taken 1-2 times daily, while Xanax can be taken up as much as 3 times a day.
- Risk of addiction: Xanax, as it takes a short time to onset and to work efficiently in our body, can be very addictive, but clonazepam is comparatively not that addictive. But both can be equally harmful when the dependency exceeds.
Side Effects of Xanax and Clonazepam
As Schedule IV drugs, both Xanax and Clonazepam can have many side effects. Xanax has high addictive potency, thus excessive consumption of it can vary from common side effects like, drowsiness, blurred vision and in cases worse than normal one can face serious side effects like respiratory issues and hallucinations. Clonazepam’s uncontrolled consumptions can lead to memory loss, muscle weakness, one might even have high allergic reactions. Both being benzos can have similar effects.
Simple Side Effects:
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Drowsiness
- Poor balance (unsteadiness)
- Memory loss
- Muscle weakness
- Blurred vision
- Depression
- Serious Side Effects:
- Slowed and Shallow breathing
- Withdrawal tendency
- High allergic reactions
- Hallucinations
- Extreme anger
- Agitation
Which is Safer: Xanax or Clonazepam?
If we make a comparison, these factors can be considered while determining which is the “safer” drug:
- Xanax: Xanax acts quickly and works too fast, one can feel the difference in their mood within minutes, this is when it can either become highly addictive, or one can leave it immediately and face several withdrawal symptoms at once. If we take Xanax’s onset and half-time into consideration, then maybe it can be said to be less safer.
- Clonazepam: Clonazepam, for this reason, of having longer duration and onset, can be called safer but not completely safe. Its ability to stay in the body for a long time can be unsafe and the feeling of drowsiness and losing memory can take over, hampering one’s life effectively. Withdrawal symptoms may not come into act, but it can definitely lead to depression and other psychological challenges.
Conclusion
Xanax and Clonazepam differ when it comes to their onset of action, duration of efficacy, dosage, half-life, etc. Dizziness, drowsiness, and muscle weakness can be some common side effects, and respiratory issues and hallucinations can be much more serious effects of both Xanax and clonazepam, and both are safe in the case of addiction.