klonopin vs xanax

[HypoDi]

Please can someone tell me which is better?
I am on Tareg for blood pressure, from specialist....then my GP put me on Wellbutrin and klonopin .... which my specialist took me off and said take Xanax only with the Tareg.
Any comments much appreciated.

[xanweaner]

Many people need a faster-acting benzo for particular situations in their medical conditions. Xanax does have its place, as does Klonopin, Valium, Ativan, etc.

The problem that comes into play is when the short-acting benzos are used over a long period of time, and also, when it's time to get off of them. But, that can also be said about many psychiatric meds. I don't think that people who are suffering and turn to a benzo to "quiet the beast" are drug seeking...they are just trying to get a sense of calm to hopefully get their lives back on track.


I

[lynn57]

I did not mean to discredit faster acting benzos. Everyone that uses them is certainly not drug seeking. I personally took Ativan for a short time and it helped tremendously.  When you need that quick response during a panic attack they are wonderful.  I was merely saying that does not make them stronger.  Klonopin may not act as quickly, but if you need something a little longer to get to a steady state, it's great. And it definitely is stronger. Also I was a bit upset that Ryan's post was misunderstood. When uniqueflower thought he said to take 10 to 20 mg's of Klonopin or Xanax T.i.d., that was scary.  Everyone has to slow down and really read his stats.  They make sense.

[jikram]

I am a chronic patient of panic attacks, palpitation and anxiety and tried each of the above-mentioned medications, such as Librium, Valium, Ativan and Xanax. I found Ativan and Xanax more effetive and suitable.
My physician has advised to add up Buspar, 5 MG combined with Xanax 0.5 MG
Does somone at the Forum has some experioence and information about Buspar?
Jikram

[xanweaner]

Ryan has posted some great info. about Buspar - you might try doing a search on it here in the forum, and when you see posts by his name - pay particular attention to those. He's provided some great info. on Buspar.

I would caution about relying upon Xanax as your long-term management of your panic attacks. It's best to be used for only short-term periods, or taking it as an "as needed basis".

It would be interesting to know more about how your Dr. prescribed the different drugs - what dosages, how many times/day, etc. Perhaps they weren't dosed properly for you to receive the full therapeutic benefit. As I'm learning here, that's the key component for success in using the longer-acting benzos, like Librium, Valium, and Klonopin.

Good luck....and I hope you receive the info. that you're looking for.

[jikram]

Thank you for such a useful information. Your analysis is very logical and helped me psychologically to gain confidence.
Right now I am sticking to Buspar 0.5 mg and xanax 0.5 mg, when needed.
I will talk to my physician about Klonospin at the next visit.
Jikram

[illogirl]

Hi Ryan,

thank you for all of the great info:) I just spoke with my psych today and he said he was switching me to klonopin (I have been on xanax for
a very long time). My diagnosis started as anxiety with depression and then became "mildly" bi-polar, but I keep trying to tell the docs anxiety is my BIG problem--I've lived with being moody my whole like, but panic attacks out of the blue leave me weak and very upset.

When I have a panic episode my heart pounds like a drum, my breathing is all off and I shake alot. The episodes can leave me tired for days. Anyhoo I just tried lithium and just felt flat and even more depressed.

Thanks for reading this--does klonopin sound like it will do the trick?
(oh I also take ambien for sleep problems--I wake up all the time).

thanks again!
illogirl