Which is better, ativan or klonopin ?

Question

i am currently on klonopin at night for anxiety and restless leg syndrome but it's not doing the trick. should i ask my doctor to switch me to ativan ? i have never tried ativan, has it been effective for you ? (if you've had it)

or is there something else i should try? thanks in advance! :-)

Answer 1

Personaly, I have tried both and I would not recommend ativan!!

Ativan (also known as lorazepam) is NOT considered a long term treatment to manage anxiety disorders it is more recommended for short term relief of anxiety neurosis. It has a fast acting effect but a short residual effect (it only last from 1 to 6 hrs).This means, if you're having an excessive anxiety attack it will work within minutes...but if you suffer from "constant" anxiety disorder, it is not recomended.

It also has a depressant action on your central nervous system...this means that in the long run, you will develop or worsen your depression.  Ativan (lorazepam) is also VERRY addictive (psychologicaly and physicaly), meaning...after a while, your body will need stronger and stronger dossages...

Klonopin (also known as clonazepam) is better suted to treat generalised anxiety disorder and sleeping disorders, because it has a slow release in your system (the effect lasts longer).  Just like the ativan, it can have a depressant effect on your CNS (central nervous system) and you might develop an addiction to it after a long use but it is seen in rarer cases than ativan.

Personaly, I am very sensitive to medication and side effects and I have been taking 1mg of clonazepam (klonopin) at bedtime for over a year now and have not needed to increase the dosage nor had any bad side effects...

The only thing i must warn you about is the withdrawl effect if you ever stop the klonopin (clonazepam). You must not stop it cold turkey!!! You will need to gradually go off of it within a 6 to 12 weeks...cause the withdrawl effects are VERRY agressive!!! (severe anxiety, insomnia, irritability, increased sensitivity to noise and sunlight, confusion...and in some casses: depersonalization, delirium and psychosis!!)

I think your best option would be to reevaluate your dossage with your psychiatrist and talk it over with him/her.

Hope I have helped

Good luck;)

  

Answer 2

I've been on Klonopin for 15 yrs your dose might need adjusting I'm taking 2mg BID and it's been working for me but with you your metabolism might be different