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what is the difference between lorazepam and alprazolam

Sent to Health Experts October 5 2007 at 6:52 PM
   

I was prescribed lorazepam/ativan from my doctor for treatment with my anxiety disorder, but it is not working. I had been to a pyschologist a few years back which she gave me a sample of alprazolam(xanax) and this worked wonders for me. I am wondering why this is and what the difference between the two medications really are. How should I talk to my doctor if I feel alprozolam is a better choice to treat my anxiety?

 

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Female, Age: 25, California

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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Answer
October 5 2007 at 7:02 PM (9 minutes and 51 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Alprozolam and lorazepam are both members of the same chemical/drug class. In general, Xanax is a shorter acting medication which has a higher risk of dependence and addiction.

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Family Physician -- Doctor (MD) -- 99% Positive Feedback on 4493 Health Accepts
Physician with 22 years experience in Emergency Medicine / Family Medicine
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October 5 2007 at 7:10 PM (8 minutes and 35 seconds later)
         
Reply to Family Physician's Post: I know for a fact that the antivan is not working for me. Should I ask my doctor to reccommend a alprazolam prescription instead? I'm afraid that if I don't mention that alprazolam had worked for me in the past, he may prescribe me a different type of medication. Please let me know your suggestion.
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October 5 2007 at 7:15 PM (4 minutes and 22 seconds later)
         
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You can of course ask the doctor to consider prescribing the Xanax OR increase the Ativan. Personally, I do NOT ever prescribe Xanax, and have good results with Ativan.

Edited by Family Physician on October 5 2007 at 7:15 PM

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Family Physician -- Doctor (MD) -- 99% Positive Feedback on 4493 Health Accepts
Physician with 22 years experience in Emergency Medicine / Family Medicine
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October 5 2007 at 7:21 PM (6 minutes and 28 seconds later)
         
Reply to Family Physician's Post: Sorry, this is my last question on this topic. You say the chemicals in antivan & xanax are the same...but how do they work so differently? And what in the chemical makeup of xanax would lead to a higher risk of physical dependence over antivan?

Thanks for your help!
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October 5 2007 at 7:48 PM (26 minutes and 57 seconds later)
         
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I'm sorry if you got the idea that they are exactly the same. The are SIMILAR medications from the same chemical family. They would be "brother and sisters" from a chemical point of view.

From a non-medical stand point, it would be like comparing a Buick and a Chevrolet - similar, but not exactly the same.

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Family Physician -- Doctor (MD) -- 99% Positive Feedback on 4493 Health Accepts
Physician with 22 years experience in Emergency Medicine / Family Medicine
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