Ativan vs Xanax: Differences, Side-Effects, and More

Ativan and Xanax are both used to treat anxiety and other psychiatric disorders. They are in the benzodiazapine family of drugs, which help inhibit excess nerve stimulation in the brain. Researchers believe excess neural firing in the brain causes anxiety. Benzodiazapines affect gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter chemical that nerves in the brain use to send messages to one another. How it works, exactly, isn't clear, but scientists believe Ativan, Xanax and other benzodiazepines may act by enhancing the effects of GABA in the brain. By influencing GABA, benzodiazepines reduce the activity of nerves in the brain. Both drugs also have the potential for addiction. Stopping either Ativan or Xanax abruptly can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms, depending on how long a person has been taking the drug. The central difference between Ativan and Xanax is that Ativan leaves a person's system more quickly, reducing the chance of toxicity or side effects. Some side effects of both these drugs include sedation, dizziness, weakness, unsteadiness, and memory problems. What is Ativan? Ativan is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety or anxiety associated with depressive symptoms. Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic. What is Xanax? Xanax is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders and the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety in adults. Xanax is also indicated for the treatment of panic disorder in adults with or without a fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment (agoraphobia). How long do they stay in your system? Ativan and Xanax can stay in your system for quite a while. But Ativan may stay in your system for slightly longer. One dose of Ativan may take at least 60 to 90 hours (about 2 to 4 days) to fully leave your body. A dose of Xanax IR may take over 48 hours (more than 2 days) to exit. Xanax XR tablets linger for longer — one dose may take up to 80 hours (about 3 days) to clear your system. It’s a similar case for Loreev XR; a dose may stay in your body for up to 100 hours (about 4 days). What are the risks of dependencies of Ativan and Xanax? In short, yes. This is a main reason why it’s recommended to only use these medications temporarily when possible. Long-term use of benzodiazepines carries the risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking them suddenly. Nausea, vomiting, and tremors are a few examples. Don’t stop taking Ativan or Xanax abruptly, especially if you take it every day. Instead, your medical team can assist you with lowering your daily dose slowly over time before stopping the medication. If you have too much Ativan or Xanax in your system, it can lead to an overdose. Overdose symptoms are serious and may include: Severe drowsiness or dizziness Trouble breathing Slurred speech Blurry vision Hallucinations Physical weakness Low blood pressure (hypotension) Confusion Dosages Of Ativan? Ativan is administered orally. For optimal results, dose, frequency of administration, and duration of therapy should be individualized according to patient response. To facilitate this, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg tablets are available. The usual range is 2 to 6 mg/day given in divided doses, the largest dose being taken before bedtime, but the daily dosage may vary from 1 to 10 mg/day. For anxiety, most patients require an initial dose of 2 to 3 mg/day given two or three times a day. For insomnia due to anxiety or transient situational stress, a single daily dose of 2 to 4 mg may be given, usually at bedtime. For elderly or debilitated patients, an initial dosage of 1 to 2 mg/day in divided doses is recommended, to be adjusted as needed and tolerated. The dosage of Ativan should be increased gradually when needed to help avoid adverse effects. When higher dosage is indicated, the evening dose should be increased before the daytime doses. Dosages Of Xanax? Take Xanax exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much Xanax to take and when to take it. If you take too much Xanax, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away. Xanax is a benzodiazepine medicine. Taking benzodiazepines with opioid medicines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants (including street drugs) can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems (respiratory depression), coma and death. Xanax can make you sleepy or dizzy, and can slow your thinking and motor skills. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how Xanax affects you. Do not drink alcohol or take other drugs that may make you sleepy or dizzy while taking Xanax without first talking to your healthcare provider. When taken with alcohol or drugs that cause sleepiness or dizziness, Xanax may make your sleepiness or dizziness much worse.