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Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peen). It is thought that alprazolam works by enhancing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.

Xanax is used to treat anxiety disorders and anxiety caused by depression.

Xanax is also used to treat panic disorders with or without a fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment (agoraphobia).

It is dangerous to purchase Xanax on the Internet or outside the United States. The sale and distribution of medicines outside the U.S. do not comply with the safe-use regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These medications may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy.

Warnings

Xanax can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol.

MISUSE OF XANAX CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

Do not stop using Xanax without asking your doctor. You may have life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if you stop using the medicine suddenly after long-term use. Some withdrawal symptoms may last up to 12 months or longer.

Get medical help right away if you stop using Xanax and have symptoms such as: unusual muscle movements, being more active or talkative, sudden and severe changes in mood or behavior, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, or thoughts about suicide.

Xanax is a federally controlled substance (C-IV) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep this medicine in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away this Xanax may harm others, and is against the law. Tell your healthcare provider if you have abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines or street drugs.

How should I take Xanax?

Take Xanax exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Never use Xanax in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of this medicine.

Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

Swallow the Xanax XR extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical tests.

Do not stop using Xanax without asking your doctor. You may have life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if you stop using the medicine suddenly after long-term use.

Store Xanax at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep your medicine in a place where no one can use it improperly.

Valium vs Xanax: Which is better?

There are some notable differences between Valium and Xanax, but also some similarities.

Valium and Xanax are both benzodiazepines that can be used to treat anxiety. Both are equally effective for this use. When taken by mouth, both are quick to have an effect (within half to one hour), although Valium may work slightly more quickly.

The effects of Valium last around 4-6 hours; however it has a very long half life (20-70 hours - time taken to clear 50% of the drug from the body) which means that it may take up to six weeks to be totally excreted by the body. The effects of Xanax last approximately 5 hours, and with a half life of 11 hours it can take several days to leave the body.

Studies have shown that people of Asian descent have higher peak levels of Xanax and the effects of Xanax last longer. Duration of effect is also longer in people with concurrent liver or kidney disease, alcoholism or obesity. Experts aren't sure if race or other factors such as smoking influence Valium's effects, although it is possible that some people of Asian or African descent may metabolize Valium more slowly leading to increased effects.

Valium is more likely than Xanax to cause drowsiness, but Xanax is reported to have more severe withdrawal effects on discontinuation.

What are Valium and Xanax?

Valium is a brand name for diazepam and Xanax is a brand name for alprazolam. Although both drugs are benzodiazepines, so have a similar mechanism of action, there are structural differences between them that affect their activity in the body.

Which one works quicker?

Valium may be absorbed slightly faster than Xanax; however, the difference is minimal. Peak concentrations of both usually occur within 1-2 hours. Effects of Xanax last on average 5 hours although there are wide variations between individuals (see below). Effects of Valium last approximately 4 hours, although may persist for longer in some people. One study suggested diazepam may be more effective than alprazolam at controlling anxiety particularly if the person was also depressed; however, the overall difference was not significant.

How much Xanax equals 5mg of Valium?

Benzodiazepine equivalency tables state that 0.5mg of alprazolam (Xanax) is approximately equivalent to 5mg diazepam (Valium). However, people of Asian descent metabolize Xanax differently to people of other races, and certain disease states such as alcoholism, liver and kidney disease, obesity and even old age can affect how Xanax behaves in the body; so benzodiazepine equivalency tables should be used as a guide only as they do not reflect individual variation. Unfortunately, few studies have been done investigating the metabolism of diazepam in people of different enthnic backgrounds. However, researchers do know it is metabolised by the CYP2C19 group of hepatic enzymes. Approximately 15.7% of Asian people and 18.5% of African Americans have a slow metabolizing form of this enzyme. Both Valium and Xanax should only be used short-term due to risk of addiction and dependence.

How do Valium and Xanax work?

Both Valium and Xanax, like all benzodiazepines, enhance the actions of a neurotransmitter in the brain called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). This neurotransmitter can reduce the activity of nerve cells, so enhancing it has a calming effect which can improve symptoms of anxiety, reduce muscle tension, stop seizures, and induce sleep. Benzodiazepines are also known for their amnesic effect – or ability to disrupt short-term memory – and this makes them useful before surgery. Because of structural differences, some benzodiazepines are more likely than others to make you sleepy, relieve anxiety, stop seizures, relax muscles, or make you forget. Valium and Xanax are both FDA approved for anxiety-relief, but Xanax is less likely than diazepam to induce sleep. Diazepam may also be used in the treatment of seizures, in anesthesia, and as a muscle relaxant.

Which drug is more effective for anxiety?

A trial that directly compared Valium with Xanax for the treatment of anxiety reported Valium to be slightly more beneficial than Xanax at relieving anxiety, particularly if the anxiety was also accompanied by depression, but the differences were unlikely to be clinically meaningful. Few side effects were reported, the more common ones were drowsiness, tremor, light-headedness, and dry mouth. One allergic-type reaction was reported with XanaxXanax. Other studies suggest Xanax is less likely to cause drowsiness than diazepam.

Which drug is more addictive or has more withdrawal reactions?

Generally speaking, benzodiazepines with a shorter half life (such as Xanax) are harder to stop than those with a longer half life (such as Valium). Both drugs readily enter brain tissue which reinforces drug taking and is generally associated with more severe withdrawal symptoms. Some experts advise Xanax to be used with caution as it has been associated with more severe withdrawal symptoms compared with other benzodiazepines.

Klonopin vs Xanax - How are they different?

The differences between Klonopin and Xanax are:

Klonopin is specifically used in the treatment of panic disorder and is also effective at controlling seizures.

The effects of Klonopin last longer than Xanax, which means Klonopin does not need to be taken as frequently throughout the day.

Xanax requires regular dosing to keep blood levels constant. Both drugs can cause physical and psychological dependence, particularly when taken at higher dosages for longer periods of time; however, more severe withdrawal and rebound reactions have been reported with Xanax on discontinuation.

Activity of Xanax is affected by race (people of Asian descent achieve higher concentrations and activity of Xanax lasts longer), concurrent liver or kidney disease, alcoholism and obesity.

Klonopin and Xanax are both benzodiazepines and help relieve symptoms of anxiety.

What are Klonopin and Xanax?

Klonopin is the brand (trade) name for clonazepam and Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam.1,2 Although both belong to the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines, so work in a similar way, there are structural differences between them that can affect how they work in the body.

Which one works quicker or lasts longer?

Xanax is usually more quickly absorbed than Klonopin with peak concentrations occurring within 1-2 hours following administration, compared to 1-4 hours for Klonopin, although speed of absorption varies from person to person.1,2 Effects of Xanax last on average 4 to 6 hours although, once again, there are wide variations between individuals. Effects of Klonopin can last for up to 12 hours in adults.1,2,3

Because Klonopin acts for a longer time in the body, it doesn’t need to be dosed as frequently as Xanax. Xanax, however, requires regular administration to keep blood levels constant.1,2,4,5

Activity of Xanax is affected by race (people of Asian descent achieve higher concentrations and activity of alprazolam is longer), concurrent liver or kidney disease, alcoholism and obesity. Less is known about differences in absorption and activity between individuals administered Klonopin.1,2

What dose of Klonopin equals 0.5mg of Xanax?

Benzodiazepine equivalency tables state that 0.5mg of alprazolam (Xanax) is approximately equivalent to 0.5mg clonazepam (Klonopin).4 However, people of Asian descent metabolize Xanax differently to people of other races, and certain disease states such as alcoholism, liver and kidney disease, obesity and even old age can affect how Xanax behaves in the body; so benzodiazepine equivalency tables should be used as a guide only as they do not reflect individual variation.1,2,3,4 In addition, liver disease and possibly some other medical conditions may affect how quickly Klonopin is eliminated from the body.

Which drug is more effective?

Few trials have directly compared Klonopin with Xanax. One reported no significant difference between the two drugs in terms of side effects (sedation, dizziness on standing) or effectiveness when both were used for the treatment of panic disorder.6

Which drug is more likely to cause dependence?

Both Klonopin and Xanax have the potential to cause both physical and psychological dependence. Susceptibility to dependence varies depending on dose taken, regularity of consumption, and genetic factors. It is not clear whether risk of dependence is higher with some benzodiazepines compared with others.7

Some people can form dependencies to benzodiazepines after as few as 14 days of regular use. Following six months of continuous use, more than 50% of people are classed as dependent. Benzodiazepines should not be stopped suddenly; dosages need to be slowly tapered off over several weeks to months to avoid withdrawal reactions. All addiction-prone individuals should be under careful surveillance if they need to be prescribed benzodiazepines.4,7

Are withdrawal symptoms more severe with Xanax?

Yes. Reviews suggest discontinuation from Xanax is particularly difficult and is associated with more serious rebound and withdrawal symptoms.5 Compared to Klonopin, Xanax has a much shorter half-life (9-20 hours for Xanax compared to 19-60 hours for Klonopin).4,5,6 Half-life is a technical term for the time it takes for 50% of an administered drug to leave your body – it is not the same as duration of effect. The blood levels of drugs with longer half-lives tend to remain relatively more constant in the body, and tend to cause much less severe withdrawal symptoms than dramatic fluctuations seen with benzodiazepines with a shorter half-life such as Xanax.

Withdrawal symptoms may include agitation, convulsions, hallucinations, tremor, abdominal and muscle cramps. More severe withdrawal symptoms are likely in people who have taken larger dosages over an extended period of time.

Which drug is safer long term?

Although Klonopin is indicated for the treatment of panic disorder, and for certain types of seizures, few trials have evaluated its use long-term. Experts advise doctors monitor the usefulness of Klonopin periodically, and consider gradual discontinuation if the drug appears ineffective.1 Xanax should only be used short-term.

How do Klonopin and Xanax work?

Both Klonopin and Xanax, like all benzodiazepines, enhance the actions of a neurotransmitter in the brain called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).1,2 This neurotransmitter can reduce the activity of nerve cells, so enhancing it has a calming effect which can improve symptoms of anxiety, reduce muscle tension, stop seizures, and induce sleep. Benzodiazepines are also known for their amnesic effect – or ability to disrupt short-term memory – and this makes them useful before surgery. Because of structural differences, some benzodiazepines are more likely than others to make you sleepy, relieve anxiety, stop seizures, relax muscles, or make you forget.