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Question

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?

Submitted: 765 days and 13 hours ago.
Category: Health
Value: $9
Status: CLOSED
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Female, Age: 25, California

Posted by Family Physician 765 days and 13 hours ago.

Answer

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.

765 days and 13 hours ago.

Reply

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.

Posted by Family Physician 765 days and 13 hours ago.

Answer

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 10/5/2007 at 7:15 PM

765 days and 13 hours ago.

Reply

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!

Accepted Answer

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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Expert: Family Physician
Pos. Feedback: 98.7 %
Accepts: 4507
Answered: 10/5/2007

Doctor (MD)

Physician with 22 years experience in Emergency Medicine / Family Medicine

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