These drugs seem so similar. I've been given diazepam by one doctor and previously given lorazepam by another; both for anxiety. What's the basic difference in the outcome?
Which is better for anxiety: diazepam or lorazepam?
Question posted by vpaganini on 7 Nov 2010
Last updated on 8 May 2022
12 Answers
EdwardTuffo
8 May 2022
Diazepam is better on my opinion as I've been on both. Hope this helps. Ps: 10mg pills are better
Itelect
26 March 2019
I have tried both Diazepam and Lorazepam and I find that Lorazepam helps calm my anxiety compared to Diazepam. I need to take more of the Diazepam and it makes me feel worse. I guess everyone is different.
Vfazio
6 Sep 2018
Valium is more relaxing and stress avoidance. Ativan is useless
Inactive
26 Sep 2017
I think diazepam is the best. I took it for years until I had to change doctors. Now I am on alprazolam which works very good for me. Diazepam stays in your system longer than lorazepam
Inactive
26 Sep 2017
I feel for you so much I know what you're going through because the same thing happened to me and it was a total nightmare. I had insomnia and was up for days thinking my body would give out somehow and I would go to sleep but it never did until Weeks Later. I ended up going to another doctor and I take Alprazolam now and it works very good for me and my panic attacks. I can give you the name of my doctor if you'd like. Just let me know
BruceWayneofGotham
26 Sep 2017
Diazepam is far better than any other benzo, for those you actually need the medication. Lorazepam =36 hours in the bloodstream, then withdrawals occur, while Diazepam = up to 300 hours, so even missing a dose isn't going to start any panic you missed the dose and will suffer.
Benzo's are quickly becoming one of the top prescribed medications in the US alone.
For any new people to these medications, ask if the dose given and the drug given is appropriate, and what you should do should you find them too strong or weak. Often, they're too strong. If you're stuck in a loop of constant sleepiness or grogginess, you may want to ask for a milder version of what you're prescribed. There's benzo's that 0.25mg will knock a grown man out for hours, so question every drug your doctors give you.
WildcatVet
8 May 2022
Now it's 2022 and next only to the opioids benzodiazepines are the most abused and addictive medications that can be prescribed. This is why so many doctors now refuse to prescribe them and are attempting to switch their patients to much safer and more effective alternatives.
Inactive
6 July 2017
I have been taking diazepam (Valium 5 mg. 3 times daily)for 40+ years. (Not kidding) and last year was told by my Doctor that he was taking me off the drug. This happened after a Drug Counselor /Nurse Practitioner came into his office. It has been hell. I feel like I'm losing my mind. I have made the drug last as long as I could by cutting the dosage etc. I feel as though I have been kicked to the curb as a patient. Anyone have any ideas on how to handle this?? Try another Health Provider?? This is a total nightmare for me. I have never abused the drug. It was originally given to me as a last resort for panic attacks and extreme nervousness. Thank You.
Duggy40
25 Aug 2017
Sue,sue the pharmacy? Sue the doctor for abuse
ADHD Norway
17 Sep 2017
So sorry to hear, thats INSANE. When you have used that long most people will be on the drug till you die. What is the point of putting a patient throug hell if they feel the drug is worth the sideeffects, price etc if you feel your life is better on than of.
3*5mg diazepame daily is a very moderat dose (good for you
Inactive
26 Sep 2017
I know what you're going through and I feel for you so much. The same thing happened to me and I was awake for days I had insomnia. I kept thinking that somehow my body was going to give out but it wouldn't. It is a living hell getting off of that. I take Alprazolam now and it works very good for me. If you need the name of my doctor I can provide that for you just let me know
Michael14
13 Jan 2019
Good evening I suffer from anxiety been on lorazepam 2mgs for 10 yrs doctor didnt except my insurance so i go to a horrible clinic and this phycaitrust decides to change dose 1mg and it really affected me im.so unhappy looking for different doctor it's horrible to do that to someone I feel you
BruceWayneofGotham
6 June 2017
Xanax is strong, fast acting and has a very short lifespan in our blood stream, less than 24 hours, which is why it's the most abused of all Benzodiazepines. Adavan last 36 hours, Klonopin 36 hours, and valium 300 hours. Adavan and Klonopin, however, are miles apart as far as actual strength, with Klonopin being by far the strongest and longest lasting of the benzodiazepines.
This is no the effective relief timeframe, but it is the timeframe you'd expect prior to experiencing withdrawals. Being on Klonopin for PTSD (I cannot take antidepressants generally prescribed for PTSD as they are often given with a benzo) for more than3 years, I wanted off. 3mg a day would make me want to sleep 10 to 14 hours a day and has made my memory terrible. There is no clinically recognized way of coming off these drugs without regular tapering.
The problem is, tapering causes the very symptoms you were prescribed the medication for! The success rate of tapering off Klonopin is a paltry 24%.
However, I've been successful in convincing, and proving to my doctor, tapering off the stronger benzos is much easier with a simple switch to valium. With a lifespan of up to 300 hours, you can easily taper off by simply switching from any of the aforementioned benzos with a similar dose of valium. As you approach the 250 hour mark, pop a valium. Withdrawal averted. You can then do one of two things, extend the time between doses or, start trimming the dose, a tiny bit at a time. It'll take a couple months, but you will suffer no withdrawals. Unfortunately for me, I was attacked and suffered from an attempted murder by way of my suspect attempting to smash my head in. I'm back on valium as it boosts the pain medication effectiveness. The added stress of fighting work comp and several surgeries ended up getting me back on Klonopin, it this time with no fear of coming off.
I hope this helps.
Traceyk95
27 April 2017
I know diazepam stays in your system longer than lorezpam! Each as different for everyone but my medication for my anxiety disorder are diazepam, but still have side effects,
highlandlass
5 June 2013
I have a severe anxiety dissorder no amount of lorazepam relived my stmptoms yet 10mg of diazepam did taken throughout the day in 2mg tablets.as far as im concerned lorazapams are usless. X
Painkiller poops
5 Dec 2016
Have you tried alprazolam it's so far the strongest I've tried
Inactive
26 Sep 2017
I take Alprazolam and that's worked the best for me also.
Evaminnes
14 June 2018
Just wanted to know what was out there for severe anxiety and the best medication for this a while back I was on lorazepam 1mg 4 times daily. An issue has occurred and if I cannot get this advice from professional do I go out with the legal system as sometimes I'm so nervous I hide away in my home x
vermaelen
12 May 2013
Ativan works faster so it tackles down anxiety & panic within 10-15mins.
Valium works within 30mins and it last longer than Ativan.
Ativan is a fast acting benzo which makes it in a way more addicting, but Klonopin and Xanax are the more powerful in the benzo family.
Just be careful mixing them and try not to take them regularly and for long period of time, because the withdrawals are just outrageous!
Take care of yourself!
//Verm
amadeous
31 July 2011
Diazepam because of it's longer-acting effects. I take 1 Diazepam 10mg once a day as needed for Muscle Spasm only, & I have Anxiety & Panic Disorders, so it does help keep Anxietys under control with use of less pills. Lorazepam is a short-acting Benzo but is good for on the spot Anxiety & Panic Attacks then you'd have to be taking them all day.
christineATU
7 Nov 2010
They are all very similar. But as oxyaaron said, valium is one of the longer acting benzo's. Remember that all benzo's can be addicting so try to take the minimum amount possible to control the symptoms.
Best wishes,
chris
oxyaaron
7 Nov 2010
lorazepam is junk if you ask me valium is a little better but i personally believe clonazepam is the best of all the anti anxiety meds
FNB3857
15 Nov 2010
I have a question for you. Is Clonazepam as addictive as Lorazepam?
oxyaaron
15 Nov 2010
klonopin or clonazepam is more addictive than lorazepam it is about 2x the strength
Trust_Me_Im_A_Doctor
19 May 2018
Not sure how that is, considering Ativan (Lorazepam) is much stronger than Valium (Diazepam). 1mg of Ativan equals roughly 10mg’s of Valium.
Related topics
anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, diazepam, lorazepam
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