When you’re under stress, feeling anxious is normal. But if your anxiety doesn’t go away, you may have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions. Almost 30% of people will experience an anxiety disorder at some point. Ativan and Xanax are commonly prescribed to treat anxiety, panic disorders, and other related mental health conditions. In this blog we’ll explore their similarities, their differences, and whether they’re safe for long-term use.
What is Ativan? What is Xanax?
Ativan and Xanax both belong to a class of medications called benzodiazepines. You may also hear them referred to as benzos. Benzodiazepines work to depress activity in the central nervous system. They raise the levels of a neurotransmitter in your brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid, often abbreviated as GABA. Scientists believe that anxiety is caused by over-activity of neurons in your brain. By increasing the levels of GABA in the brain, benzodiazepines inhibit neural activity, resulting in a calming effect. Ativan is the brand name for a benzodiazepine called lorazepam and Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam.
Ativan versus Xanax: What Are They Used For?
Ativan and Xanax are both used to treat anxiety disorders. Ativan is commonly prescribed for short-term relief from anxiety and anxiety caused by depression. Physicians also prescribe Ativan for sleep disorders. Ativan is also used in medical settings to sedate patients before surgery. Ativan comes in tablets, oral liquid, and an injectable form only available to medical professionals. Most people take between two and six milligrams per day divided into two or three doses.
Xanax is most commonly used to treat Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder. It comes in two types of tablets and an oral liquid. Most people take between .75 and 1.5 milligrams per day depending on what kind of tablet they’re prescribed and what condition they’re being treated for.
In general, Xanax is a faster-acting drug than Ativan. People taking Xanax usually feel its effects around 30 minutes after taking their recommended dose. It can take up to two hours for users to feel the effect of Ativan although it is also longer acting. However, these time frames aren’t set in stone. How quickly you feel the effects of Ativan and Xanax will depend on your dosage, your medical conditions, and other individual factors.
Ativan Side Effects
In addition to its desired effects, a medication can have adverse side effects. Common side effects of Ativan include:
- Loss of coordination
- Drowsiness and sleepiness
- Loss of strength
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance
- Disinhibition
Ativan can also cause serious allergic reactions. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to Ativan include:
- Trouble breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Skin rash
- Nausea or vomiting
- Trouble swallowing
- Swelling in the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Loss of consciousness
If you recognize the signs of an allergic reaction in yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately.
In rare cases, using Ativan may cause suicidal thoughts and actions. If you are thinking of harming yourself, call 911 right away or text the 24-hour Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Xanax Side Effects
Xanax use can also cause unwanted effects. Common adverse effects of Xanax include:
- Sleep disruptions or promotion
- Unusual drowsiness and tiredness
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Lapses in memory
- Feeling lightheaded
- Feeling sad or discouraged
- Loss of appetite
- Disinhibition
Occasionally, Xanax can also cause more serious side effects. These unwanted effects can include aggression, the inability to control your actions, and other extreme behavioral changes. You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
Ativan vs. Xanax: Can You Take These Medications Long-Term?
The FDA recommends that Xanax only be taken for up to four months for anxiety disorder and between four and ten weeks for panic disorder. Ativan is only recommended for short-term use – between two and four weeks.
Sometimes people are tempted to increase their Xanax or Ativan dose because they don’t think the medication is working anymore. You should never increase your dosage without talking to your doctor first. Using either of these drugs longer than recommended increases your risk of becoming physically and psychologically dependent, meaning that you can’t stop using these drugs without going into withdrawal. Because they have the potential to be addictive, Xanax and Ativan should only be used under medical supervision and as directed by your doctor.
In addition, misusing Xanax and Ativan by taking a larger dose than prescribed or for longer than prescribed can cause what are called paradoxical effects. This is when drug use creates the opposite effect than intended. For example, if you take Ativan for insomnia, misuse can actually cause sleep disturbances.
Ativan vs. Xanax: Can You Overdose?
It is possible to take an overdose of both Ativan and Xanax. If you think you or someone you know may have overdosed, call 911 right away. Even if you’re unsure whether or not someone is overdosing, it’s better to err on the side of caution. Stay with the person who is overdosing until medical help arrives.
Ativan overdose symptoms include but are not limited to:
- Difficulty speaking or walking
- Unusual agitation, restlessness, or irritability
- Loss of motor control e.g. unsteadiness or trembling
- Unusual tiredness or drowsiness
- Nightmares
- Profuse sweating
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Slurred speech or changes in speech patterns
Xanax overdose symptoms include but are not limited to:
- Loss of consciousness
- Extreme drowsiness or weakness
- Extreme nervousness, irritability, excitement, or nervousness
- Lack of motor control such as trembling, unsteadiness, or loss of coordination
- Slurred speech or changes in speech patterns
- Extreme agitation, talkativeness, or confusion
Again, if you suspect that you or someone you know has overdose on Xanax or Ativan, seek medical help immediately.
Using Xanax and Ativan with Alcohol and Other Drugs
Using benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Ativan and alcohol or other drugs can cause be very dangerous. Because they slow down central nervous system activity, Xanax and Ativan will amplify the effects of other central nervous system depressants such as alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives, barbiturates, antidepressants, and opioids/narcotics.
Combining Ativan or Xanax and alcohol or other central nervous system depressants can cause a fatal overdose. Because the effects of combining these substances varies from person to person, there is no safe dose or amount to drink. It is always dangerous to combine these substances.
Using Xanax or Ativan and opioids at the same time increases your risk of fatal overdose. Because benzodiazepines and opioids can both act as sedatives, taking them together can cause you to stop breathing.
Ativan should never be used in conjunction with the anti-psychotic drug Clozapine. Doing so can cause you to become unconscious and/or stop breathing.
If you are prescribed Xanax or Ativan, it’s very important to tell your doctor about any alcohol you drink as well as what drugs you’re taking, whether they’re over-the-counter medications or street drugs.
Ativan vs. Xanax: Withdrawal
As discussed earlier, Ativan and Xanax were designed to be used only for a relatively short period of time. People taking Ativan or Xanax can become dependent after only two weeks of use. Once you’ve developed a dependence on a drug, you will experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it.
Withdrawal from both Ativan and Xanax can be dangerous. You should never reduce your dose on your own stop or taking these medications suddenly. Both Ativan and Xanax use should be tapered off gradually under the care of a physician.
Ativan withdrawal symptoms usually begin within eight to 12 hours of your last or reduced dose. Physical symptoms can include dizziness, irregular heartbeat, excessive perspiration, muscle pain, tremors, and headaches. Mental and emotional symptoms may include anxiety, confusion, irritability, and depression. Ativan withdrawal symptoms can also include a rebound and even a worsening of the anxiety or insomnia you were experiencing before you began taking the drug. In some cases, Ativan withdrawal can cause seizures. The severity of your symptoms will depend on how much Ativan you were taking and for how long. Ativan withdrawal symptoms typically last between one and four weeks.
Xanax withdrawal symptoms usually begin eight to 12 hours after your last or reduced dose. On the first two days of Xanax withdrawal, symptoms can include anxiety, insomnia, and headaches. Between the third and sixth day of withdrawal, symptoms usually reach their peak. These symptoms are more distressing and intense and can include hallucinations, high blood pressure, muscle aches, and aggression. After a week, physical symptoms typically subside, but mental health symptoms like depression and suicidal thoughts can occur. Between 10% to 25% of people going through Xanax withdrawal will experience protracted withdrawal with symptoms coming and going over the course of a few months to a year. The severity of your symptoms will depend on how much Xanax you’ve been taking, how long you’ve been taking it, and your medical conditions.
Because Xanax withdrawal symptoms can be so dangerous, you should never just suddenly stop taking the drug cold turkey. Xanax use should be tapered gradually and under the care of medical professionals who can make sure you’re safe and comfortable.
So, Xanax vs. Ativan – which is safer for long-term use? The answer is neither. If you or someone you love has become dependent on Ativan or Xanax and needs help quitting, we’re here to help. Brentwood Springs Detox Programs offer a safe, compassionate environment where you can stop using safely. We’ll work with you to create a recovery plan that puts you on the path to the new sober life that you deserve. Contact us now at 615-560-7545.
