May 20, 2008 - 12:01pm
Maybe someone knows the answer to this question. Which is better for panic attacks, Xanax or Klonopin?
My sister has taken 1 mg Xanax for years (off and on) when she feels panic coming on. A new doctor switched her to 1 mg Klonopin and told her it's stronger.
My sister doesn't think it's working at all. Does anyone have any insight in the matter?
Thank you for any help.
May 20, 2008 - 12:14pm
#2
here is the exact same topic.
May 20, 2008 - 12:15pm
#3
For panic attack, I would
For panic attack, I would have to say alprazolam is more suited for the job. It has a quick onset, is very sedatin/calming, and doesn't have a really long half-life, so it's effects are not felt all day.
Clonazepam, while probably more potent by weight, is not a potent qualitatively as alprazolam. Klonopin is usually better suited for generalized anxiety,muscle spasms, and sleep disorders, where the effects don't need to be as strong, but need to last longer, and at a more steady rate.
Of course, everyone is different, and everyone experiences drugs differently. But the above statements have held true for me, and it seems to be a general consensus amongst most of the literature I have read on the subject.
EDIT: You beat me to it!
May 20, 2008 - 12:45pm
#4
It all depends
It all depends on the individual and how each of these drugs metabolizes in their body. but, I would say xanax would be the best for your sister because it kicks in very quick but does not last as long i believe it has a half life of 6hrs. I would say go with the klonopin because this drug is used to prevent anxiety attacks from even comming on and is usually taken in the a.m. Theres an alternative that i would reccomend i know the klonopin does not kick in as quick as xanax but it is effictive for a much longer duration than xanax. Try the orrally disentigrating klonopins they kick in just as fast as the xanax and last way longer. just my two cents.
regards, JPD
I am not a doctor nor a pharmacist the info posted is that of my own opinion.
May 20, 2008 - 1:10pm
#5
okay... klonopin is much better guys... come on
Mara tha Blank Dank
OKay.. klonopin and xanax are equally as addictive. Xanax hit you faster and last in a shorter amount of time. Klonopin stays in your system longer and the effects you can feel for hours instead of fifteen minutes like xanies....but you should try beta blockers... they work better for anxiety... and then if that dont work. zonk yourself out of phenobarbitol.
May 20, 2008 - 1:23pm
#6
I have to agree with
I have to agree with Pizzicato on this one. Klonopin is not only used as a preventive to panic attacks, but also is used early in the treatment of GAD when an SSRI is being introduced. The Klonopin will last longer, but it won't feel as strong. In my opinion, it is a much smoother medication to deal with anxiety. Of course, I'm also one of the few who believe that, aside from the price, Xanax XR (and it's generic counterparts) are extremely effective and does a great job at eliminating the need for breakthrough panic attack medication.
Just my two cents.
gtrplayer
May 20, 2008 - 2:47pm
#7
Thank You
Thank you everyone for all the help.
I'll suggest to my sister that she needs to read all these comments. After reading everything, I'm convinced that, since Xanax works faster, it probably feels stronger!
Thank you again.
May 20, 2008 - 4:01pm
#8
YOu said she was on xanax
YOu said she was on xanax for quite some time, and was then switched to K-Pin correct? It may not even be that the clonazepam is not as effective for her, but it may be that she doesnt "feel" it working as well.
Alprazolam is much more intense, which is why it is generally considered the most addictive common benzo, with a higher abuse liability. The intensity is not necessarily correlated with anxiolysis, as is commonly believed. For me, the most effective dose is just large enough to knock down the attack, but low enough that I can barely tell I have taken a psycoactive depressant. Afterall, benzo's are used to help people function in life/society, not make them sleep through it.
Not to say that your sister is just missing the subjective feel of the xanax, I just thought it is something she may need to be aware of.
May 20, 2008 - 4:09pm
#9
I agree with you about the
I agree with you about the xanax xr. When it was first released, I wrote it off as being a money-making formulation, since the original's patent had long expired.
But upon using it, I realized that this is a very good idea for panic attack sufferers. It worked wonders for me while I used it, but it was a little too good, so I switched back to diazepam after a while.
It definitely has a good purpose, and for those with severe panic/anxiety, it is a great tool. And as you said, it can sometimes eliminate the need for breakthrough IR doses. I cant say the same about Klonopin, as I needed low dose valium for breakthrough panic when taking it.
September 6, 2008 - 6:40pm
#10
When I was put on klonipin
When I was put on klonipin and on it for a while, it seemed as though I just got even more anxious. It was really strange. I would take another one because I didnt realize that it was the klonipin that was causing this and hence became even worse. I didnt like it. And when I first started taking xanax, I experienced a very good feeling, a bit of a high, I felt very peaceful and it felt so good to be calm!! Now that I have been on and off benzos for 25 years I dont get that feeling at all anymore, and I think that they are just not working for me anymore, but now that I am on a small dose, I realize that just because I dont get that High feeling, doesnt mean that they are not working. Because I do feel calmer, just not euphoric, which I do miss to be honest!
September 1, 2009 - 5:31pm
#11
Questions in regards to Xanax Versus Clonazepam????
I have taken Xanax for over five years for chronic panic attacks and I believe that it is not working to well for me. My doctor added zoloft to my medications and it does not seem to be working as a combination. He asked me if I want to switch to Clonazepam instead of having Xanax, which I am not sure if it will help me. I think my body has adapted to taking the amount of Xanax I have taken for the past years, and I do not want to increase the dose since I am already on a heavy dose. I just want something that is going to help me keep my chronic panic attacks and to make me not feel those horrible feelings when one is coming on. I do take my Xanax four times a day and if I miss one dose, I am shaking, nervous and not easy to motivate for the day. I hate the feeling and I am so tired of taking medications for it, but I know that it is something that I will have to deal with for the rest of my life, but I am asking for anyone to tell me which one is going to last in my body longer? One that will help and keep my levels at a good point and stay in my system longer instead of having to increase my dose to keep me from having these horrible panic attacks. Can anyone help, I am wanting to find out the best benefits for the long run and I am out of clues. Thanks everyone
September 1, 2009 - 10:27pm
#12
I was suffering from all the
I was suffering from all the anxiety disorders. Tried all the medications out there. Klonopin saved my life. Do a search, its been debated many times. Klonopin will last long in your system so a twice a day dosing will often, IMO, keep an adequate level in your system 24 hours a day. During extra times of stress or anxiety I have the option of taking a mid day dose or melting a tab under my tongue. I dont get any high from Klonopin, never did, just amazing anxiety relief. I was on the verge of being an agoraphobic before Klonopin, then suddenly I was able to do all the things I wanted to do without worrying about feeling like I was having a heart attack or running to the restroom every 5 min.
xanax works faster and i believe that it's far better for panic attacks when taken as a panic attack is beginning. klonopin is usually taken regularly each day to prevent future panic attacks and it has a much longer half-life, meaning that it stays in your system longer. feel free anyone to correct me if i'm wrong. also ther are many other forum discussions on this topic, so you can search for others and read through them.