I am on Klonopin for anxiety and panic attacks and it does not work. Trying to find out whether Xanax or Valium will be the best for me? I thank you for any help.
How fast does Valium start working compared to Xanax?
Question posted by jasperbrown_8 on 17 May 2010
Last updated on 6 April 2023
This question has also been asked and answered here: Valium vs Xanax: Which is better?
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11 Answers
Bnc76
18 July 2021
For me, Valium 10mg works way better than Xanax. It's less habit forming and has a longer half life. I was in the medical field for years and seen many people do better with Valium.. Valium users tend to take less than Xanax users
highsadie
29 March 2019
i also just got prescribed .5 of klonopin twice a day and i see no relief compared to xanax. if anything my body feels the effects but my mind is still everywhere. i was wondering the same thing about whether xanax or valium are anything alike In how they feel and how fast you feel them.
Twilight Zone
6 April 2023
I tried them all. Valium as Xanax you feel the drop due to a much shorter half life compared to Xanax and getting off Xanax is horrific. I loved Xanax and Xanax XR was a dream but i forgot my medication for two days since out of town and I would have done any drug to get rid of the withdrawal which is like your dying
jaydux77
29 Jan 2019
Out of all of the benzodiazepines Valium has the longest half life so using Valium for things like panic attacks wouldn’t be as effective as the faster working benzos such as Xanax. The biggest difference between the two Xanax is a fast acting and Valium isn’t. I’ve had panic attacks and Xanax works a lot better than the rest of the benzos. However since everyone is different not everyone will achieve the same effect from each benzodiazepines.
Crystahl
24 Aug 2018
I take Effexor for anxiety, panick attacks, OCD, and depression. It works pretty well! It doesn’t make you necessarily put on weight either.
WildcatVet
20 June 2018
Benzodiazepines are now prescribed by most doctors for short term use only as they A) do not address the causes of anxieties, B) are highly habituating, and C) because longer term use has been shown to actually cause increased anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and memory loss.
Skip the benzos except for the immediate control of panic attacks while initiating alternative therapies.
Twilight Zone
6 April 2023
Some of us need it. On and off for 15 years and take Librium for a week and you won’t feel withdrawal much compared to Xanax and Valium. I don’t increase dose so when my body adjusted to the dose, I stop….then use again. I would be dead without them. Had brain scan and accute anxiety is so horrific for me, I feel suicidal at times. That feeling is horrible. Everyone is different and some people have been on benzos for 20 years. I always assumed they are to be used short term. I suppose it is the psychs choice
Twilight Zone
6 April 2023
Some of us need it. On and off for 15 years and take Librium for a week and you won’t feel withdrawal much compared to Xanax and Valium. I don’t increase dose so when my body adjusted to the dose, I stop….then use again. I would be dead without them. Had brain scan and accute anxiety is so horrific for me, I feel suicidal at times. That feeling is horrible. Everyone is different and some people have been on benzos for 20 years. I always assumed they are to be used short term. I suppose it is the psychs choice
WildcatVet
6 April 2023
It's also the government's choice. Behind only the opioids benzodiazepines are the second biggest national crisis. Physician's must abide by state and national laws and also their own discretion in prescribing them only to legitimate patients.
Perrinjr1
20 June 2018
Anxiety and panic attacks are quite different in nature, and the two drugs work very different so it really depends on what you want to get out of your medication.
For a panic attack, Xanax is the point of call. It’s fast-acting, doesn’t linger in your system, but like other ppl here have warned, the incidence of dependency can be quite high.
Valium builds up in your system over time, 2-5mg up to 3 times a day will reduce overall general anxiety symptoms, so over time your panic attacks will be less volatile and not as easily triggered.
For a short time my psychiatrist had me on both, Valium for long term use, so that I could work with my therapist on my anxiety to take control of my life. Was also on Xanax short term - a few weeks taken as required for times of high stress until the Valium had built up in my system. Worked great for me personally, no longer require Xanax at all, which is less risky.
Don’t forget that meds are only a stop-gap, they do not fix the cause of your anxiety. Only you yourself can take control and develop strategies so that eventually medication will not be required
christineATU
22 June 2010
Fall Queen (as usual) gave you some excellent advice. Personally, I think valium works the quickest and lasts longer than xanax. Obviously each person reacts differently to all kinds of meds. But I do not take them for panic attacks or anxiety. I use them to relax my muscles. I basically had my mid spine rebuilt after an accident. The valium does help control the extreme spasms. Have you ever seen an arm jump 3 feet off the bed out of the blue? It's quite the site! The only thing I can add is for you to find a little comfort in knowing you have many people here to help you get through this. My very best wishes,
Chris
beachychicky
22 June 2010
I took Valium for over a year for muscle spasms. It works pretty quick, probably within 30 min or so. There is a addiction threat to it though. If you take it only as prescribed you should be ok. I do know alot of people are addicted to xanax and its potential for abuse is worse.
fall queen
22 June 2010
jasperbrown-8 I am struggling to give you the right answer here, I would leave the valium out no matter, their generics are not very good and brand name for anything is pricey. As far a Xanax goes, it works quickly,but has a very short half-life. If you are planning to stay on them any amount of time your need for a dosage increase may become more frequent than some of the alternatives, if you become "chemically dependant" on them, you can take it in the morning and be feeling withdrawal as soon as 12 hour later. Klonopin on the other hand, once you get the desired affect of anxiety relief you may not have to increase your dosage for years. Those are a few things to consider before choosing a tranquilizer.Klonopin is the least abused of the three types you mentioned as it was originally invented for seizure control, there is no "high feeling" from Klonopin. It is a personal choice but stay armed with knowledge of what medications are available to you.
There are still many, many more. Lorazepam is good if your dose puts you in a comfort zone from anxiety and panic attacks! You need to go to the top of this site and find out what is available to fit your needs. Perhaps you can couple it with a mood stabilizer. These are the questions your doctor can assist you with, I know just how real anxiety attacks can be. You have already gotten some good information. Read up on them and you and your doctor can work together on the best plan for you. Good Luck! Fall Queen
midwestma
22 June 2010
Fall Queen,
I felt compelled to add to your answer, your knowledge in this area is to be applauded. You have great insight with regard to these medications/panic /anxiety attacks. Great advice on your part! Keep up the good work, I admire your input into the questions folks ask on this forum.
With much respect, Gwendolene/midwestma
fall queen
22 June 2010
Thank you MidwestMa, I think everyone has great input here ( but for a few), they test the waters and if the first time they get "told off" , most come back with a new attitude. that is the measure of a man! Fall Queen
fall queen
22 June 2010
Bronx77, that was a compliment! F.Q.
Blakesuma95
22 April 2017
I have to disagree with the statement that klonopin has no "high feeling". I used to take 2 mg before school and feel a heavy "drunk" feeling. Passing out and slobbering and can't pronunciate words throughout the day. It's a miracle I was never caught and expelled lol. Klonopin is my favorite between the 3 (klonopin/valium/ Xanax. I use if I wanna relax and sleep good. Hope this helps anyone seeking recreational advice thats my opinion (;
bronx77
21 June 2010
Xanax is a much more quickly working drug that is short-acting. Valium takes longer for the effects to be felt but does last longer, although in my opinion is not as strong as xanax especially considering the highest dose of valium is 10mg which is equal to the second lowest dose of xanax 0.5mg. If you are talking panic attacks I would surely reccomment the xanax i am on 2mg a day now as needed and it really helps quick when i feel one comming on so i can catch it before it gets bad.
NIf
5 Nov 2018
Panic attacks you can't feel coming on, They just hit. I think what your referring to is an anxiety attack. The 2 are completely different. I suffer from asperger's syndrome with social anxiety, general anxiety with severe panic attack, OCD with minor tourette's. I take valium 4 times a day for anxiety and buspar for panic attack because buspar acts faster then any benzodiazepines will. And is very short acting.
highsadie
29 March 2019
im prescribed .5 of klonopin twice a day, it’s a starter dosage im assuming, but i was wondering if anyone would be able to tell me the equivalentcy of how many of my klonopin would equal 2 mgs of xanax?
Inactive
19 May 2010
Klonopin in my opinion is the weakest of the benzo's yes I do believe the strongest is the xanax it is more up there than the valium and klonopin. So the order would go xanax,valium,and klonopin some others may have a different opinion on this matter but I have tried them all and this is how I feel about them. I do also believe that the xanax and valium both work at the same pace they both work just as fast within an hour.
christineATU
22 June 2010
hi again mrspage. I agree with you on valium working pretty fast. Peronally, it kicks in (for me) within 10 mins! Like you said, everyone is different.
Caseychrome77
8 Dec 2017
Xanax and valium differs from klonipin on this level... almost all benzos are short term fast acting for obvious reasons... panic attacks and seizures need to be treated quickly however klonipin are a longer acting slower release medication... it has to build up to get the full effect. Best of luck
Frankie0000
8 Jan 2018
Depending on how desperate you are- chewing them up and dissolving them under your tongue will work fastest- IMO I prefer Valium over Xanax as it does not have the following day(s) after side effects if any. Don’t take anything unless you absolutely have to- you don’t want to build a tolerance. And I would suggest always started with a small dose and seeing if that’s enough. Hope you feel better!
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klonopin, valium, xanax, anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder
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