is xanax stronger then klonopin
What is stronger out of all the benzos, Klonopin or Xanax?
Question posted by roxxy51 on 13 Feb 2010
Last updated on 30 June 2012
This question has also been asked and answered here: Klonopin vs Xanax - How are they different?
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Answers
izzothecat
13 March 2010
Technically, they are "ranked" as equal in 'strength' (e.g., check out the list of benzodiazepines and their equivalencies that can be found on the Ashton website, or merely searching for it on the internet). What the others above has stated is correct; Klonopin has a much longer half life than Xanax, comparatively (18-50 hours for clonazepam vs 6-12 hours for alprazolam). However, all of the equivalency charts I have come across have stated that 0.5mg of Xanax is the same as 0.5mg of Klonopin (which is the same as 1mg of Ativan, 10mg of Valium, and on and on). Lastly, however, you must keep in mind that everyone reacts differently to certain medications... for instance, I cannot take Klonopin b/c it makes me so tired, yet Xanax does not make me sleepy at all (and I know a lot of people would probably claim the exact opposite or, at the very least, say that Xanax makes them very sleepy)...
Don't know if that is of any help, but it may be what close to what you were looking for!
Take care-
Kiera
superstressed
13 Feb 2010
In my opinion, Klonopin is stronger because it has a longer half life (stays in your system longer). Xanax worked for about a week for me, then it had no effect. Xanax is a short-acting drug. I take 2mg Klonopin 3x's a day for anxiety and panic attacks. It enters the system quickly too.
Psychmajor
13 Feb 2010
Xanax is stronger but klon has a longer half life like previously mentioned and they are both fast acting (xanax is good during the panic attack since it is the fastest acting of all benzos however i hate the prescribing of xanax over long half life benzos -should always start with valium since this is a very long halflife and less sedating which would help with some cognitive behavioral therapy and or psychotherapy and meditation)... by the way 2mg is a high dose and should not be taken 3 times a day in my opinion (over lap between the drug keeps a good 3-4+ mg in your system)
also remember your body gets used to the med but just because you dont feel the effects physically it doesnt mean its not working subtly since thats how xanax is suposed to be.
superstressed
13 Feb 2010
I've had Valium before too, and it worked great in the beginning, but it wasn't enough to help bring my pulse down.
superstressed
24 Feb 2010
I agree that 2 mg's 3 x's a day is a lot, but it's the only benzo that calms me down and I have fewer anxiety attacks, plus my pulse is great.
izzothecat
13 March 2010
2mg of Klonopin, 3x a day? Obviously, there is mutual agreement that this is a high dose, so I am not attacking you or anything like that... I just have a few questions for you--if you don't mind--to satisfy my own curiosity.
What led to your (needing) to take it 3x a day? I am only wondering because, typically, only the shorter half-life BZDs (i.e., Xanax or Ativan) would be prescribed on a t.i.d. dosage schedule, whereas Klonopin would only be needed (at most) 2x daily, due to its longer half-life. Also, have you tried other longer half-life BZDs and found them unable to be of any help for you? It's a little scary when you read the literature on BZDs; when (and IF) you ever plan to come off of Klonopin, it is going to be a very long (or, if not long, an extremely awful) experience.
Lastly, is this how your physician prescribed it to you (and how long have you been on this dosage regimen)?
Sorry for all the questions... I'm just very interested in how/why a doctor would have somebody on such a high amount. Again, I honestly do not intend to offend you in any way (and if I have, then I sincerely apologize, as it was unintentional); I am merely curious as to your situation and why it requires 6mg of Klonopin per day.
Thanks for any response you may offer!
Take care-
Kiera
JonKlon54
1 July 2012
2mgs of klon is a pretty generous dose 3x a day, just be careful with your everyday activities like driving, operating any kind of machinary etc... I don't know the severity of your anxiety/panic dis-orders are or get just saying. I was diagnosed with anti-social anxiety dis-order causing me to be a recluse my whole life. I had a lot of friends growing up but as I got older and older my anxiety had gotten worse and worse to the point where I couldn't even atend my college courses bc of my anxiety/ worry/ fear/ ocd behavior, dwelling on thoughts and such that only make it worse. I was on xanax, ativan, klonopin, etc.. the drug that worked the best for me was klonopin because it last longer, didn't make me agitated like xanax did. My Dr. said with my condition there is no cure at all, I even tried the prozacs and lexapros, anti-depressents etc.. but I'm not depressed.
I had to tell my doc, " I'm not depressed, I suffer from severe anxiety " so he felt how clammy my hands were and my blood pressure was high as well and I'm a young man. I told him the anti-depressents make me worse they make me feel weird and excitable and that was defeating my purpose. So I go back and I tell him the truth and he puts me on 1mg klonopin 3 x a day and I've finally got relief. My metabolism is already fast so they hit me in minutes so thats not an issue. Drugs like xanax have more of a dependence rate bc of the fast acting formula. Klonopin works the best in my personal oppinion, take it from me I've tried them all. Good luck! Hope you find what works for you, sometimes it takes a few diferent drufs before u know what works the best for you.
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klonopin, xanax, panic disorder
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