Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are the Differences?How Do They Work?Side EffectsInteractionsTips for Managing AnxietyFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Are the Differences?
How Do They Work?
Side Effects
Interactions
Tips for Managing Anxiety
Frequently Asked Questions
Ativan (lorazepam) and Xanax (alprazolam) arepsychotropicdrugs (medications that impact the nervous system). They’re commonly used to treat anxiety, insomnia,panic disorders, muscle spasms, and seizures.
Ativan and Xanax belong to a drug class known asbenzodiazepines. They’re classified as Schedule IV controlled substances due to their high potential for abuse, misuse, and addiction.
Benzodiazepines reduce the activity of neurons in the brain. This creates the following effects:
The following article will cover differences, safety, and additional steps you can take to address anxiety.
Tips to Recognize AddictionThe risk of addiction to benzodiazepines exists. Learn to identify the signs of addiction and take appropriate actions accordingly.Some helpful strategies for recognizing addiction could include the following:Be aware of changes in behavior, mood, and physical health resulting from taking medication.Keep track of dosage taken and duration.Note if more doses seem necessary to get the desired effect.If addiction is suspected, speak to your healthcare or mental health provider immediately. They will assess the situation and suggest appropriate treatment options. Possible therapies may include behavioral therapy, medications, and support groups.
Tips to Recognize Addiction
The risk of addiction to benzodiazepines exists. Learn to identify the signs of addiction and take appropriate actions accordingly.Some helpful strategies for recognizing addiction could include the following:Be aware of changes in behavior, mood, and physical health resulting from taking medication.Keep track of dosage taken and duration.Note if more doses seem necessary to get the desired effect.If addiction is suspected, speak to your healthcare or mental health provider immediately. They will assess the situation and suggest appropriate treatment options. Possible therapies may include behavioral therapy, medications, and support groups.
The risk of addiction to benzodiazepines exists. Learn to identify the signs of addiction and take appropriate actions accordingly.
Some helpful strategies for recognizing addiction could include the following:
If addiction is suspected, speak to your healthcare or mental health provider immediately. They will assess the situation and suggest appropriate treatment options. Possible therapies may include behavioral therapy, medications, and support groups.
Bipolar Disorder Treatments to Manage Symptoms
Ativan (lorazepam) and Xanax (alprazolam) are very similar, but they also have notable differences, including:
Organizing medication.Wagnerokasaki / Getty Images
Wagnerokasaki / Getty Images
GABA helps calm nerve cell activity to relieve anxiety, promote relaxation, and induce sleep.
These drugs can aid inmanaging anxietysymptoms like the following:
Risks of taking Ativan and XanaxAtivan and Xanax, like other benzodiazepines, have risks that include the potential foraddiction, dependence, andwithdrawal symptoms. They can become addictive quickly.Be mindful of the signs and symptoms of addiction when taking these substances, like the following:CravingsDifficulty controlling drug useSpending a great deal of time acquiring or taking the drugCompromise of social, occupational, or recreational activities due to drug useContinued use despite physical, psychological, or adverse consequences
Risks of taking Ativan and Xanax
Ativan and Xanax, like other benzodiazepines, have risks that include the potential foraddiction, dependence, andwithdrawal symptoms. They can become addictive quickly.Be mindful of the signs and symptoms of addiction when taking these substances, like the following:CravingsDifficulty controlling drug useSpending a great deal of time acquiring or taking the drugCompromise of social, occupational, or recreational activities due to drug useContinued use despite physical, psychological, or adverse consequences
Ativan and Xanax, like other benzodiazepines, have risks that include the potential foraddiction, dependence, andwithdrawal symptoms. They can become addictive quickly.
Be mindful of the signs and symptoms of addiction when taking these substances, like the following:
What Are the Possible Side Effects?
Ativan and Xanax are fast-acting benzodiazepines that provide quick relief of symptoms.
Unfortunately, they can cause side effects, including the following:
Seek advice from healthcare providers immediately if any adverse reactions do arise while taking Ativan or Xanax.
Additional Considerations
Keep in mind the following when taking benzodiazepines:
Keeping an open line of communication with your healthcare provider is key.
What Are Possible Interactions?
Possible drug interactions of Ativan (lorazepam) and Xanax (alprazolam) may include but are not limited to the following:
Vistaril (Hydroxyzine) vs. Xanax (Alprazolam) for Anxiety
Living with anxiety may sometimes be challenging. However, tips for managing it include the following:
Managing anxiety is a process; finding what works for you may take some time. Be patient with yourself and seek assistance if necessary.
Summary
Benzodiazepines like Ativan and Xanax commonly treat problems like insomnia, anxiety, panic disorders, seizure, or muscle spasms. Although both drugs are in the same drug class, they can differ in how fast they work and how safe they are. For example, Xanax works faster than Ativan to relieve symptoms. However, based on the drug safety profile, Ativan is considered safer than Xanax because it has a lower chance of causing withdrawal symptoms or rebound anxiety.
Ativan and Xanax are similar but are not the same. They have different onset of action, duration of action, and dosage forms. They, however, belong to the drug class called benzodiazepines and are used to treat symptoms of certain disorders like panic disorder, anxiety, and insomnia.
Although Ativan (lorazepam) and Xanax (alprazolam) are both effective benzodiazepines, they still differ in strength. Xanax is considered to be stronger than Ativan. Yet, this may vary from person to person depending on the dosage, frequency, or formulation taken.
You can safely and effectively use Ativan and Xanax. However, here are a few essential tips to follow:
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Edinoff AN, Nix CA, Hollier J, et al.Benzodiazepines: uses, dangers, and clinical considerations.Neurol Int. 2021;13(4):594-607. doi:10.3390/neurolint13040059Food and Drug Administration.Alprazolam label.Food and Drug Administration.Lorazepam label.Hirshkowitz M, Whiton K, Albert SM, et al.National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary.Sleep Health. 2015;1(1):40-43. doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2014.12.010Lakasing E, Mirza Z.Anxiety and depression in young adults and adolescents.Br J Gen Pract. 2020;70(691):56-57. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X707765Kaczkurkin AN, Foa EB.Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders: an update on the empirical evidence.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2015;17(3):337-346.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Edinoff AN, Nix CA, Hollier J, et al.Benzodiazepines: uses, dangers, and clinical considerations.Neurol Int. 2021;13(4):594-607. doi:10.3390/neurolint13040059Food and Drug Administration.Alprazolam label.Food and Drug Administration.Lorazepam label.Hirshkowitz M, Whiton K, Albert SM, et al.National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary.Sleep Health. 2015;1(1):40-43. doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2014.12.010Lakasing E, Mirza Z.Anxiety and depression in young adults and adolescents.Br J Gen Pract. 2020;70(691):56-57. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X707765Kaczkurkin AN, Foa EB.Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders: an update on the empirical evidence.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2015;17(3):337-346.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Edinoff AN, Nix CA, Hollier J, et al.Benzodiazepines: uses, dangers, and clinical considerations.Neurol Int. 2021;13(4):594-607. doi:10.3390/neurolint13040059Food and Drug Administration.Alprazolam label.Food and Drug Administration.Lorazepam label.Hirshkowitz M, Whiton K, Albert SM, et al.National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary.Sleep Health. 2015;1(1):40-43. doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2014.12.010Lakasing E, Mirza Z.Anxiety and depression in young adults and adolescents.Br J Gen Pract. 2020;70(691):56-57. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X707765Kaczkurkin AN, Foa EB.Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders: an update on the empirical evidence.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2015;17(3):337-346.
Edinoff AN, Nix CA, Hollier J, et al.Benzodiazepines: uses, dangers, and clinical considerations.Neurol Int. 2021;13(4):594-607. doi:10.3390/neurolint13040059
Food and Drug Administration.Alprazolam label.
Food and Drug Administration.Lorazepam label.
Hirshkowitz M, Whiton K, Albert SM, et al.National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary.Sleep Health. 2015;1(1):40-43. doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2014.12.010
Lakasing E, Mirza Z.Anxiety and depression in young adults and adolescents.Br J Gen Pract. 2020;70(691):56-57. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X707765
Kaczkurkin AN, Foa EB.Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders: an update on the empirical evidence.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2015;17(3):337-346.
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