I am currently taking the low dose xanax as needed & I have taken it for a number of years. I noticed that the xanax sometimes make me sleepy & all I want to do is cut my anxiety & not get sleepy or lower my energy level! Does anyone take ativan & use to take xanax? Or has anyone tried them both & prefer the ativan? Does anyone know the difference between the two? I am going to ask my doctor, I go see her at the end of the month, but I am researching online in the meantime! I am thanking you guys in advance for your replies & responses! I take .25mg of xanax, but I want something similar that would lower my anxiety level. Do you guys have any ideas?
Is Ativan milder than Xanax? Does anyone know?
Question posted by hope31 on 5 Oct 2012
Last updated on 21 February 2019
This question has also been asked and answered here: Ativan vs Xanax - What is the difference?
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35 Answers Page 3
angel1662
7 Oct 2012
Hello hope31,
I have been on both xanax and ativan, but on a much higher dosage as yourself, I was taking both of them, not at the same time, I was on xanax first 1mg 3x daily for panic/agoraphobia, and ativan for same diagnosis, I found that the xanax is more sedating then the ativan by far, but this is my opinion, it works on everyone differantly as our body makeups are all differant! They are both from a class of drugs called benzodiazepene, they are both fast acting meds... I now take klonipin which I in my case prefer for they last in your system longer up to 8 hrs if I am not mistaken, I also take them 1mg 3x daily, so they work around the clock for me, and they really don't make me want to sleep all day like the xanax did... hope this helped somewhat
Justjustin503
6 Oct 2012
I've noticed that Xanax does in fact make me sleepy also but only when I'm driving or watching tv. If I stay active it works great. I'm currently prescribed Klonopin .5mg and it works great for my anxiety with less sleepiness. I take one in the morning and one before bed. I don't have much experience with ativan. Anyway the Klonopin works great for me and might for you too. Everyone is different.
Inactive
7 Oct 2012
I'm not trying to be judgemental, but... you should not be driving while taking Xanax!! Do you realize that driving while taking Xanax is the same is driving while drinking??? You could kill yourself or someone else!!! It is the same with Ativan or any other mind altering drug and that includes opiates!! If you are driving while taking these drugs you are breaking the law and you can be arrested!
Justjustin503
7 Oct 2012
Ummmm... No you're dead wrong. I had and many other people have a prescription to Xanax and other benzos and what are we/they supposed to do sit at home and be a hermit and not drive anywhere because we take benzos daily and legally with a prescription. I think not. Yeah if I took a handful of them and took off driving then yeah that's a different story. I was talking about taking as prescribed. Where do you get your info. SMH
Dumpster Diver
7 Oct 2012
Although i don't have a driver's license, I agree totally with Justjustin. These
are prescribed daily meds and once you are sure you are used to them,
driving to work and such is a necessity. The prescription doesn't come
with a DO not drive notation! DD
Inactive
7 Oct 2012
It does say not to drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how the drug will affect you, and it it makes you sleepy then you shouldn't be driving!!! And believe me, if you have an accident while on any drug that makes you sleepy you can be charged while driving under the influence... and I get my info from experience... there is no need to be rude!! and if you check out the laws you will find that I am right! I never said that you should stay home and be a hermit... I am on the methadone program, but when I first started the program I did not drive because the drug made me sleepy, once your body is used to the effects you should be fine, but if you have an accident that is determined to be your fault and they test you for drugs or alcohol and xanax or any drug that is mind altering shows up in your blood they can and will charge you for driving under the influence!!! That is a fact!
Dumpster Diver
9 Oct 2012
Dear Recovering Girl, as you stated, take the medicine and see how your body
adjusts. Don't ever forget your daily "clinic" trips, back and forth to get
your serious medication..~~~~~~~~~DD
tania lynne
6 May 2013
Also, she said she is taking Klonopin. Ease up.
easeup
23 Sep 2013
@Anonymous... "I'm not trying to be judgemental, but... "
That was totally judgmental. You don't need to use a qualifying statement before you ream somebody for doing something you don't approve of. And, like all of the above stated, you build up a tolerance extremely quickly and, sure, be CAREFUL operating heavy machinery, but that goes for anyone at anytime. If anything I get so stressed out driving that I NEED a xanax just to make it driving down the street without flipping out and crashing into walls/other cars, etc.
Just use common sense and be responsible. Do what you know works for you. And for the love of God stop using qualifying statements that contradict everything you're actually about to say
anniecakes
25 Nov 2013
God people are stupid. If everyone who took a medication that said "use caution when driving" just avoided driving altogether, then no one would be able to live their life, get to work, leave their house, see family or friends, etc. There would be like 10 people on the road right now. Over 50% of meds state that on the label, it's not just benzos. Not to mention, not all of us have the luxury of waiting to see how a med effects us before we drive or waiting for our bodies to adjust to the meds before driving. The latter can take weeks. Idiots.
jcb666o4
15 Feb 2014
I hate to say it, although it does only say not to drive until you are aware of its effect. The law does clearly state, that everyone driving a vehicle is responsible to make sure they are able to perform such tasks. Just being stopped for a lil over your most likely good, if your believed to be impaired in anyway blood can always be drawn. If in a accident, especially with any injuries, its common practice that blood must be tested from all drivers. If any driver comes up positive while driving, since they can "Impair" you. It is a dui and if a death occurs you most likely will be considered at fault and could get manslaughter to murder.. think a little more about freely driving while on any controlled drug. A script isn't a free pass to drive under the influence, only to posses the drug named.
natbrown
8 Aug 2014
"God people are stupid" from Anniecakes. Yes, people are stupid for driving on stuff that their not aware makes them sleepy, high, slow to react, dizzy, etc. Too many people are putting innocent lives at risk when they take medications that might slow their reflexes and they get behind a big weapon, their car. Being in the EMT/nursing field, I've heard a ton of stories of people involved in accidents that have taken some sort of muscle relaxer and thought they could drive. Everyone thinks 'I'm ok to drive' and 'this won't happen to me'. Well, it can, it has, it could. It could also cause another persons injuries due to your stupidity or uninformed mind. Kudos to Anonymous for stating it!!
Ajm4791
26 Sep 2014
Is it ok to take Xanax with Tylenol 3.
ma2wycode
22 Sep 2015
Its interesting to here about driving while on prescrbed meds. My husband and I are both on pain meds.(caution while driving) and he drives double trailers(semi truck) through his employer. He has to have the doctor full out a note staying he is able to drive while on this med without impairment. He keeps a copy in his truck. Basically you do need to know if and how you are affected by your drug. I take ativan,oxycodone,fentanyl and have been driving daily 28th those meds without issue. But I have a neihbor that takes close to same meds I take and one night got in trouble on the highway. It was dark,rainy, was hyroplaning and swirved. When a police officer pulled her over. She did get a dui. And when went to court the case was thrown out due to her proof of meds and anxiety. Case closed.
lynnrn
11 Jan 2016
I take Ativan but if I have to go to work or drive I don't take it. I'm impaired. There is other medications you can take for anxiety that don't make you impaired. Some people may be able to function normally on Benzo's I just know for myself I can not do it.
audreypo
20 Aug 2016
can't agree more w/many commenters - if you are taking a low dosage of this medication especially "as needed" for anxiety relief, there will come a time - or many - when you need to drive. that is fine. there's a difference between taking the 0.25-0.5mg your dr has prescribed for you for years and driving and taking 10mg binge and driving - i don't recommend the latter in ANY CASE. i always carry a copy of my script with me just in case; if, heaven forbid, you WERE to get into an accident, i so believe you can be considered dui, so be careful - you should be careful anyway. basically, if you feel your anxiety meds are making you sleepy/drowsy/dizzy, you shouldn't be driving. and to answer the op's question, i have had to switch from xanax to ativan due to a fungal infection (unrelated to these meds; just the antifungal + xanax don't get along), and an equivalent dose of ativan makes me VERY sleepy.
i prefer xanax bc it handles my anxiety w/out the nasty side effects, but everyone's body is different. for example, klonapin made me "black out" like sone sleeping pills, and i ended up taking more without knowing it - the next day i had someone drive me to my dr to hand back the pills and change. just be cognizant of all these things as well as the high potential for needing to taper slowly off these meds.
JW7639
22 Oct 2016
I agree 100% what Justjustin503 is saying. On the bottle it clearly states... do not drive or operate heavy machinery UNTIL you know how your body will react to it. I take xanax daily. It first made me sleep,active or not,then it was if I was just watching TV now it doesn't do at all.I know it still working and I will not up my dose to 2mg. I take it 2x a day. Some people take a low dose of Ativan because their fear is driving. You should use caution and your brain ,no matter what,before driving.
Mikemeck0723
28 March 2017
Yeah maybe if you've never taken it before but if you take it everyday like your prescribed it doesn't affect your driving at all. So thanks for the crappy advice
Amanda21486
18 June 2017
Sooo anyone who is prescribed benzos as a daily medical regimen can't drive ever?? LoL. No honey. The safe way to properly drive on ANY prescription drug is to take it and wait to see how it affects you that day. Some days you'll get different affects from something you take every day. But if you wait about 30-45 minutes before operating any machinery/vehicles, and make sure your mind is right before driving. People can't just quit living their lives because of an anxiety disorder. The whole point of these meds is to help you live your life without the symptoms of the disorder. Do you just sit home all day every day or have people drive you around when you take your meds?
sstaples0718
6 Nov 2018
That person is correct. I personally was pulled over at one of those duo stops and I was given a duo for being on Xanax with a prescription it did not matter to them they said I was not allowed to drive while taking it.
Alleydcat
14 Nov 2018
Hate to break it to you but it is actually a legal and is in fact just like getting a DUI. You can take Cold medicine and if it causes drowsiness you could potentially face a DUI and lose your license. But at the same time is doctors are prescribing these kinds of medications because unfortunately people like you and I suffer from anxiety on a regular basis, we can't be expected to sit home like a hermit and not live life or go to work or take care of our children. It's almost like a catch-22. But here is a tip… if you get pulled over don't blab your mouth saying everything you take for medication lol
Inactive
5 Oct 2012
I've used both, and for me Xanax worked better, I was on 1/2mg and that was enough to deal with my anxiety with the least amount for sleepiness. but it's different for everyone, I would work with your doctor when you go back at the end of the month. she will be able to give you the best advice. good Luck!!
Dumpster Diver
8 Oct 2012
RG, Shouldn't your user name be Recovering Girl instead of Recovered?
Are you not driving back and forth for your daily dose? IMO.~~~ DD
Mikemeck0723
28 March 2017
Like anyone should take advice about a name from someone that goes by dumpster diver get a life and leave her alone
Tee6759
5 Oct 2012
Hope,
Different doses of Xanax affect everyone differently. I use 1mg of it 2x daily. It can make me sleepy or do nothing at all.
For my anxiety, my doctor placed me on BuSpar for my anxiety and panic attacks. I started on 20mg and eventually increased to the max of 60mg. I take it in 3 daily doses. It works very well for me. No wacky side effects.
Perhaps this might work for you. Talk with your doctor about this med as a suggestion. I am not a medical professional, this info is strictly based on my own personal experiences. I wish yiu luck in finding the help you seek.
In peace,
Tee
Inactive
5 Oct 2012
I have taken both, Xanax (alprazolam) which is short acting, and Ativan (lorazepam) which is long acting.They both belong to the drug class of benzodiazepines. Xanax worked best for my anxiety and it acts faster. Ativan is stronger from my experience and it has a more calmer effect on me , due to my high tolerance to medications, I prefer it.
Again , from my experience , I have taken many different benzodiazepines, and at first they make one sleepy, in my case, but they do not anymore.
Xanax is used in the treatment of anxiety; depression; panic disorder; tinnitus; dysautonomia and belongs to the drug class benzodiazepines.
Read more at: https://www.drugs.com/xanax.html
Ativan is used in the treatment of anxiety; insomnia; nausea/vomiting; sedation; panic disorder, and belongs to the drug classes benzodiazepine anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines, miscellaneous antiemetics.
https://www.drugs.com/ativan.html
Take care,
maso.-
Dumpster Diver
6 Oct 2012
Thanx maso,,, I too, have taken many different head meds. over the 30+
years since my car crash and coma. Benzo's wake me up and get me thru
the day. At nite if sleep is elusve, a small dose. I prefer Klonipin.
But, Hope , in my opinion, I think ativan would be a good med for you.
Glad you're researching on-line to be informed at your Doc. I shall mark this as a favorite to retain Maso's links for my research. Dee
Inactive
6 Oct 2012
Hello my friend, no need to thank me, I am glad I could help in some way, yes I have been on klonopin as well,DD if you have trouble sleeping, there is one benzo that may help you, they use it in minor surgeries because it has sedative properties (like ativan, but a lot stronger), I believe the name in the US is Versed which is midazolam.Where I live it is prescribed for sleeping disorder, and one can buy it with the script without a problem, now if you are in the US or any developed country, I think you might have a hard time getting a prescription for it, I may be wrong, I lived many years in the states and I know how strict they can be.
All the best,
maso.-
Dumpster Diver
6 Oct 2012
Thanx, Maso,,, I shall investigate this drug. I think i like Klonipin best, 'cuz
it was my first experience with Benzo's. After my head injury, they started me on it for risk of seizure .Also, now I will star this, because it slipped thru
my scar... LOL D-Square
lgotv
6 Oct 2012
i am so glad i read this,,, i always thought xanax was stronger,,, thanks
Dumpster Diver
6 Oct 2012
Good Morning DC, one more, maybe irrelevant to most, but i really enjoy
the cool minty taste of Klonipine, it is jut re-assuring to me..Weird, don't know,,,
but real to me. DD
slamina
6 Oct 2012
I just wanted to add my experience since I have been on anticonvulsants for chronic generalized anxiety disorder since 1981, I started on Ativan and was on it for about 10 years and had no real fatique problems and fatique is a major issue for me.
I like Ativan because of the lesser side effects than xanax. Any dr. will probably tell you the Xanax is stronger and will cause a more sedative effect. The Ativan should not make you as tired especially the longer you're on it.
Dumpster Diver
6 Oct 2012
Hi slamina, i felt all your words,yea..you picked an awesome name:) DD
Thanx
sherribaby
11 Jan 2014
Ativan is one of the various Benzodiazpines but as far to what the difference in this One and Alprazolam * Xanay is Ativan is is more so a sedative than xanax and Xanax is more of an Antianxiety agent and also has a anti - depressant agent in it as well :
bchart24
29 Jan 2015
Maso..I take 8 2 mgs of clonezepam... doesn't do ANYTHING anymore... now am on 1mg lorazapam... How many 1mg of lpam equal 16mg of cpam!!!
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