Opinions - Why do doctors choose to prescribe certain benzodiazepines over others?

SWIM has noticed that Valium is hardy prescribed anymore, and that Ativan is usually the most commonly prescribed benzo, but why? It is Swim’s understanding that all benzos are equally addictive is abused. Is Ativan not as strong as Xanax, thus giving it a lower chace of being abused? Is Xanax reserved for people who frequently experience panic attacks, because it is faster acting? And Ativan more for insomnia? I guess it depends on the doc, but SWIM does not really understand what makes them choose one or another when they all seem to produce such similar effects, with some variations.

[fnord]

all benzos are adictive but id think some have more potential for abuse then others depending on their potency,doctors take into consideration things like:
1.)might the person abuse this?
2.)is thier a risk of a suicidal overodse?
3.)how long the benzo treatment will last
4.)as always insurance.
5.)allergies
6.)how many poruct adds he seen for a certian one
7.)his favorite benzo to prescribe,someitmes doctors just have a fav med that thelly prescribe for anyone with a certain syptom

im sure theres other things but im tired

[Nagognog2]

I asked a physician friend of mine this. He told me he usually prescribed the benzodiazepine that had the least warnings about addiction/withdrawl for patients he thought might get addicted, etc. to them. He said it was to cover his ass in the event of a lawsuit - and to keep his malpractice insurance as low as possible.

The one he cited as prescribing the most was Ativan (lorazepam).

[Sickpup]

Ativan is the replacement for Valium,if you pushed the issue SWIY could get a valium script instead.But most docs and patients realize that anything but true roche V's are any good and they cost alot.Plus ativan is the mainstain of hospitals now,so thier around it alot.

Shrinks tend to like Klonopin,the new reasoning is "I have no issue giving you xanax,but im using the klonopin as a mood stablizer also.Can't argue that,k-pin is an anti-siezure med,and thats where most mood stablizers come from.

The Xanax doc's are usually pcp's stealing business from the shrinks,and just go with the best in class.

benzos by themselves cause few if any overdose deaths ,they need to be mixed with other intoxicants to be deadly.

Their all generic and cheap so insurance isnt an issue,cept for xanax xr

never thought a allergic,swim should say when they ask that every benzo in the us except xanax.

Don't think they run adds for generic drugs.

SWIM has never seen a Klonopin doc upgrade to xanax ,or a xanax doc downgrade to anything else.