Can you be prescribed Ativan and Xanax together? Do they have a different action ?

Hi. krissa, I'm surprised that a doctor would prescribe two CSA Schedule 4 drugs at the same time as both are benzodiazepines which are addictive and can cause increased anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and memory loss.
In generally, one may used for the treatment of panic attacks or for the short term (4-6 weeks) control of anxiety until a co-prescribed medication such as an antidepressant/anxiolytic or buspirone can take effect.
I'd contact your doctor to clarify the dosing instructions.

I was prescribed Ativan on July 26 not working so my dr wrote a script for Xanax will the pharmacy fill it

Ft Ý600094

I have been on xanax 2mg for 14 years, three times a day. They don't work anymore. I know xanax is stronger than ativan and the others. What do I do since they don't want me to take them both together?

Does xanax and ativan have any drug interactions?

Yes, you certainly "can" be prescribed both Ativan and Xanax, although IMO it doesn't make much sense. They both fall into a category of drugs called benzodiazepines, which work similarly by binding to the GABAa receptor site in the brain. This site in the brain works with inhibitory neurotransmitters such as GABA, hence causing an anxiolytic effect and which also plays a role in sleep. As mentioned above, Alprazolam (Xanax) has a much shorter half-life than Lorazepam (Ativan), which may be why your doctor prescribed both; possibly for different times of the day. Also as aforementioned, these are powerful drugs and can be easily misused, potentially leading to respiratory or even cardiac arrest. I would by no means recommend taking them at the same time, and under no circumstances drink alcohol while taking either of these medications. Alcohol also binds to GABAa, therefore dangerously intensifying the effects of any benzodiazepine; not just the two hereby being discussed. I hope this helps and best of luck :)

so that you are safe as Christine has said these are both benzodiazepines and reduce you respirations so please contact your doctor before you do anything like this, we want you to be safe

I concur with the other answers, DO NOT take them together. The only difference is one is faster acting than the other. But they both are for anxiety. You may have been prescribed one for during the day and one for at night but not together. Get clarification from your doctor if the directions on the bottles are not clear.

Lauire

since both of these medications are benzodiazepines I am not comfortable telling you to do this in fact since they are for the same thing I think just to be safe you need to contact your doctor and above all inform him and be safe, best wishes

Hi krissa, both medications are benzodiazepines and should not be taken together. They are CNS depressants and could affect the respiratory system. Both are highly addictive too. I would call the doctor who prescribed them and ask for more specific directions. Please be careful with these meds. When taken exactly as prescribed, they can work very well on controlling anxiety. Good luck to you and please be safe :-)

Best wishes,
chris