Do you know that anxiety disorders are ranked in the ninth position in the list of disorders? Yes, this is a fact, and its rank may further move to the top due to the significant rise in cases. There are tons of ways available to deal with this disorder, and taking medicine is probably the most common way to deal with it. Benzodiazepines are the most common form of medicine to deal with anxiety. Xanax and Lorazepam are two such drugs from the family of benzodiazepines that are widely used. They help in relaxing the body and mind, which helps deal with anxiety symptoms. But, in this blog Xanax vs Lorazepam, we will discuss about factors that make them apart.
Further in the blog, we will address the query, are Xanax and Lorazepam the same thing, by making a detailed discussion on all the factors like dosages, side effects, drug interactions, which is better for anxiety, can you mix Lorazepam and Xanax, and the alternatives for Xanax and Lorazepam.
Comparing Xanax and Lorazepam: Key Difference Between The Dosages, Side Effects, & Drug Interaction
What are Xanax and Lorazepam?
Xanax is used as the brand name for Alprazolam and which is mainly used with patients dealing with anxiety. Its main purpose is to activate certain neurotransmitters in the brain. It belongs to the category of Schedule IV drugs and is available in the form of tablets and solutions. The combination of Xanax and Fluoxetine is believed to be one of the best anti-anxiety medicines if used in limited amounts. Xanax slows down brain activity, which helps the brain for relaxation, which in turn calms the body.
Lorazepam is sold under the brand name Ativan and is also an anti-anxiety medication like Xanax. This drug calms the body by slowing down brain activities. Lorazepam is available in the form of tablets, solutions, and capsules. Lorazepam has the capability for rapid relief, muscle relaxation, and sedation, which makes it a perfect anti-depressant. Lorazepam falls under the category of a Schedule IV drug, which can get a person addicted if used for a long time.
What Is The Difference Between Xanax and Lorazepam?
Xanax and Lorazepam belong to the same class of drugs and have almost the same uses. But despite this fact, there are certain factors such as side effects, dosages, drug interaction, and potency that make them apart from each other. Let’s discuss all these factors in detail.
Dosages of Xanax vs Lorazepam
The doctor prescribes dosages according to the needs of the individual. The initial doses must always be lower to help the body adjust, and then they can be increased gradually.
Xanax
- Anxiety disorder: The starting dose is 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg, which can be increased up to a maximum dose of 4 mg divided throughout the day.
- Panic disorder: The initial dose is 0.5 mg three times, which can be increased by a maximum of 1 mg per day at intervals of 3 to 4 days.
Lorazepam
- For anxiety: The initial dose of Lorazepam is 0.5 to 1 mg for 2 to 3 times daily per day which can be later increased to 6 mg per day, divided into 3 to 4 doses.
- Insomnia: The starting dose is 2 to 4 mg, which can be increased up to a maximum of 4 mg.
- For children: It is only used for children above 12 years old for treating anxiety. The dosage is decided by the doctor based on the condition.
Onset and Duration of Action
Xanax acts faster in comparison to other anti-anxiety medications. The effect of Xanax is usually noticed within an hour of intake, which makes it useful to useful for individuals dealing with severe and sudden anxiety symptoms. Although it has a faster onset, the duration of action of Xanax is comparatively low, and it fades from the body after a few hours. On the other hand, Lorazepam starts to show its effect a bit late but lasts the longest in the body. This makes Lorazepam highly effective in treating people dealing with the long-term and persistent effects of the disorder.
Side Effects
Benzodiazepines affect the central nervous system directly to treat the symptoms, which in turn produce different side effects. Xanax and Lorazepam, both being benzodiazepines, also have a wide variety of adverse effects. The common side effects produced by the drugs are:
- Diziness
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Sedation
- Confusion
- Blurred vision
- Weakness
- Chills
- Nausea
- Tiredness
In addition to all these, Lorazepam has some drug-specific side effects such as daytime sleepiness, muscle weakness, and problems with coordination. People taking Xanax can also face specific issues, such as shakiness, seizures, hallucinations, and severe dependency.
Drug Interaction Between Xanax vs Lorazepam
It is important to know which drugs react adversely with Xanax and Lorazepam, so that you can avoid combining them. Let’s look into them.
Drug interactions of Xanax
- Oxycodone
- Norco
- Ambien
- Gabapentin
- Lyrica
- Flexeril
Drug interactions of Lorazepam
There can be several other drugs, so try to stick to the prescription of the physician and do not perform any mixture of drugs on your own.
Which is Better For Anxiety, Xanax or Lorazepam?
The doctor considers various factors before choosing which drug is better for an individual. The tolerance level and rate of side effects are two key things that are mainly considered before prescribing Xanax or Lorazepam to the individual. For people with acute symptoms, Xanax can be a good source to deal with their symptoms since it has a quicker onset of effect. For the people who have to take the medications regularly, Lorazepam can be a better option than Xanax. Since Lorazepam has a longer duration of action, it can remain in the body for longer hours and provide better relief.
Can You Take Xanax and Lorazepam Together?
Combining two Benzodiazepines can result in an effect so deadly that it can even cost you your life. It is never recommended by any doctor to combine both Xanax and Lorazepam. Even if you accidentally take both these drugs together, the after-effects are a lot to handle. Since both of these interact with the CNS to get their work done, there is a high possibility of increasing the sedative effects that would shut down brain activities, resulting in coma. This high sedation also hampers daily life activities and forces you to just stay in bed.
Xanax and Lorazepam interaction also hampers the flow of Oxygen into the lungs, causing severe respiratory depression. The mixture also possesses an increased chance of suffering from a severe allergic reaction.
Who Should Avoid Xanax and Lorazepam?
Certain categories make an individual unfit for getting recommended for the drug. It’s better to be aware of such categories so that you can see for yourself if you belong to any of them and get the alternatives. People with breathing problems, those with alcohol addiction, and those taking any antifungal medications should avoid taking Xanax. Similarly, people with kidney and liver problems, breathing issues, personality disorders, alcohol addiction, and those trying to get pregnant should avoid Lorazepam.
Alternatives for Xanax vs Lorazepam
For people who cannot take both of these drugs, they have to take their alternatives to get relief from the symptoms. Let’s look into the alternatives for each of the drugs.
Alternative to Xanax
- Zoloft
- Buspirone
- Propranolol
- Klonopin
- Ativan
- Ambien
- Fluoxetine
- Diazepam
Alternatives to Lorazepam
- Klonopin
- Valium
- Lexapro
- Buspirone
- Valium
- Xanax
- Diazepam
- Fluoxetine
- Clobazam
In addition to all the medication, you can even opt for certain natural ways of treatment, such as engaging in your favourite hobbies, trying therapies and yoga, spending more time with your loved ones, going out for a walk, and adopting a pet. Including these habits in daily life can provide you with mental peace and happiness, and therefore boost your mental health.
Safety Measures
It is important to follow certain precautions while dealing with Benzodiazepines since they possess various side effects and risks as discussed. Let’s look into a few of the measures that must be followed:
- Store the drugs in a cool and dry place to avoid spoiling them.
- Keep out of reach of the children and pets
- Do not take the drugs as you wish without consulting healthcare providers
- Let your physician know if you are pregnant ot planning a pregnancy
Conclusion
Xanax and Lorazepam are both effective for dealing with serious mental issues like anxiety. Both these drugs, if used as per the prescription, would do wonders in resolving all the symptoms of anxiety. These must not be overused, and also should never be mixed without discussing with the physician. Try to keep your mind calm and take the utmost amount of rest for these medicines to work perfectly.