what is more effective, Ativan (Lorazepam) or Xanax (Alprazolam)?

[ssg1222]

just curious which one has better results Ativan or Xanax?

[Orchid_Suspiria]

It seems to depend on the person.Swim gets better results with xanax(alprazolam)but it could be totally different for someone else.

[Jatelka]

Please always include the pharmaceutical names of drugs. Brand names vary from country to country and using the pharmaceutical name avoids confusion on this international forum.

And better results for what? Sleep? Anxiety? Recreation?

[SpaceCadetGlow]

Most prefer Alprazolam over Lorazepam no matter what the purpose, be it sleep, anxiety or recreation. Alprazolam has a somewhat shorter duration, and is said to have a ''rush'' that is unique to it. Lorazepam may be more effective at inducing sleep. They will both probably cause some amnesia.

But SWIssg should be very careful with any benzodiazepine, especially Alprazolam. Be sure to know everything about a drug before taking it. Benzo's are very addictive and can bring about some of the worst withdrawals. In fact, benzodiazepine withdrawals, if not handled properly, can cause seizures, some of which can be lethal.

[no-go]

More effective for what?

The Alprazolam (Xanax) has more intense psychoactive effects than Lorazepam (Ativan), some like swim find intolerable. Did not have to try it more than once, and that was long ago, someone said it was like smoking MJ and, well, ... it's worse. Saying strange non-sensical things, confused sometimes cloudy thoughts, lack of motivation, impaired judgment, believing things were there which were not (a bit different and more frightening than hallucinating), um, high abuse potential for some... And some say its amnesia's worse... But everyone reacts differently, who knows?

Lorazepam (Ativan) is decent for sleep, more relaxing and sedating. Swim did not find himself clumsy, or uncontrollably tired and could still converse and do ordinary things, just a bit... slower... In swims case, it was given after seizures and for all the ensuing anxiety induced panic attacks. It has rapid onset. For serious recreation (getting f-ed up), swim would say forget it, but swim says cause it's not necessary... Swim oddly felt a creeping, non-energetic nor overwhelming happiness and lift in mood, hard to describe; not high really, but somehow ok with not being high or higher. And satisfied with that. For that I guess it'd be worth while. If it were not for the amnesia swim would prefer this one.

Swim is now on Clonazepam, for the reason it does not make swim forget things.

[delphinen]

Myself, Lorazepam. Alprazolam its like "too speedy". Also Lorazepam has greater relaxing muscle effects in me.

[dr ACE]

swimy would say Alprazolam/xanax it is more potent per say compared to lorazepam but there all pretty much the same just sutle differences in the duartion of effects the ammount of sedation produced. Go for the zannies would be swips advice, lorazepam is good for a sedation/sleep aid

[Laudaphun]

for some odd reason SWIM has not had the opportunity to take lorazepam that often. Except for a few very meager scripts, SWIM has far less experience with it than she does with alprazolam. SWIM would definitely like to experiment more with it, but SWIM once given a small supply of lorazepam decided to give it a go and substitute lorazepam for a situation in which ordinarily alprazolam would have been used. Once for acute anxiety, SWIM needed something quick and effective. SWIMs stomach was empty and proceed to consume 2mg lorazepam. No reduction in the symptoms of acute anxiety were observed. 1mg alprazolam would have been effective. A second trial from the same script of lorazepam was to compare a 4mg dose of lorazepam to a 2mg alprazolam dose, since they should be equivalent doses. The 4mg lorazepam was comparable in effects to 2mg alprazolam with a different "feel" to it. This trial was not used to treat any symptoms of anxiety, but rather in the context of a sleep aid. Perhaps SWIM will ask the dr. for some more lorazepam to conduct further trials. Currently SWIM is working on comparison of alprazolam to clonazepam. SWIM is comparing the medicinal properties moreso than the recreational properties.

[Orchid_Suspiria]

Swim has found one of the most potent weapons against anxiety is lunesta(eszopiclone).Unfortunately it usually seems to be prescribed for sleep only.

[JaWill88]

swim finds lorazepam to probably be the worst benzodiazepine he has used to this day. that is for anxiety, sleep, relaxation, intoxication, whatever. swim does not like it. alprazolam hits too hard and doesn't last long enought for swim. worthless for swim unless he wants to sleep cause thats all it does is knock him out. swim could be prescribed just about any benzodiazepine he wanted that is prescribed in the US and he chooses clonazepam (Klonopin, Rivotril). he loves it. same potency as alprazolam (xanax) but much, much longer life, much,much more muscle relaxing effects, definately some euphoria and wipes out anxiety very well. it is sedating but not just knock you out like alprazolam. in swims opinion, the perfect benzo. especially with a few drinks. but that is not good advice only for swim as his tolerance has gotten to an awefully high level and needs it otherwise he has to take more clonazepam and can not offord to be doing that. it is advised to not drink while using any benzodiazepine.

[GForce]

Alprazolam is short acting. Lorazepam is short to medium acting. The approximate dose equivalent to 10mg of Diazepam is .5mg and 1mg, respectively.

[bloot]

I found that there is a thread on this so I figure I will post it here. My pet cat has been going through some really roughs times and is currently on anti-depressants as well as taking natural supplements. Well, my cat was currently talking to me about taking maybe Alprazolam to help it's anxiety out. It wouldn't be in recreational doses. My cat wanted me to ask if any SWIMmers have success with it.

[kbsuperstar]

The forum says lorazepam and alprazolam...

[Steva]

Lorazepam at 2mg is quite effective and probably lasts longer than
Alprazolam.Swim also prefers Clonazepam after 30 yrears
of trying valium,xanax etc.