Clonazepam vs Xanax: Both are benzodiazepines that are used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Clonazepam is the generic name of Klonopin, while Xanax is the brand name of Alprazolam. One major difference between Clonazepam and Xanax is that Clonazepam lasts longer in your body, in comparison to Xanax. So clonazepam is taken less often than Xanax.
What are Clonazepam and Xanax?
Clonazepam (Klonopin) and Xanax(Alprazolam) are Food and Drug Administration (FDA)- approved medicines that are classified as benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are medications that are used to treat anxiety, panic, muscle spasms, and seizures. Both are used to treat GABA and control anxiety and panic.
Clonazepam is prescribed to treat panic disorders and is also used to stop seizures. It is also used in combination with some other medications. Clonazepam helps to increase the activity levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It is a chemical that sends signals to the nervous system. If your body has a low level of GABA, then your body will be excited, which could cause panic attacks and seizure attacks. So, Clonazepam maintains your GABA levels and helps your body to stay calm.
Xanax is also used to treat panic disorders, as well as anxiety disorders. It is the most prescribed benzodiazepine because it starts more quickly in comparison to other benzodiazepines and helps to control anxiety and panic attacks. Xanax is available in various forms, like tablets, disintegrating, and solutions.
Xanax vs Clonazepam Dosage
Initially, the healthcare provider administers the lowest effective dose and monitors the individual closely to check the impact and effects of the medicine in their body. Gradually Dosage depends on the individual’s conditions, factors, and the healthcare provider will determine the best dosage for the individual based on various factors.
Some general dosing guidelines for Clonazepam and Xanax are:
Clonazepam(Klonopin)
Clonazepam is available in both generic formulations:
- Tablet
- Orally disintegrating tablet
Seizures
For adults and children over 10: The starting dose is 0.5 milligrams (mg) thrice daily. Your healthcare provider will adjust your dose according to your needs and the response of your body. The maximum dose of it is not more than 20mg per day.
For children up to or less than 10 years: The dose of these children depends on their body weight, which must be determined by your healthcare provider. The dose is usually 0.01 to 0.03 mg per day of your body weight per kg.
Panic Disorder
For Adults: In the initial stage, it is prescribed 0.25 mg twice a day. The maximum dose is 4mg per day. Your healthcare provider may adjust your dose according to need and the responses of your body.
For Children: Their paediatrician will decide their dosage according to their body weight and age.
Xanax (Alprazolam)
Xanax is available in both brand and generic formulations:
- Tablet
- Orally disintegrating tablets
- Oral solutions
- Extended-release oral tablets
Anxiety
For Adults: The dosage for adults starts with 0.25mg to 0.5mg thrice daily. It will be increased as per your condition or your need by your healthcare provider. The maximum limit of this dosage is not to take more than 4 mg per day.
For Older Adults: Starts with 0.25 mg two or three times per day.
For children: Their paediatrician ( a health care provider for children under 18) will determine the dose.
Panic Disorder
For oral dosage form (ER tablets)
For Adults: 0.5mg to 1mg is taken in the morning once a day, as prescribed by a doctor. The maximum limit of consuming this dose in one day is 10mg per day.
For Older Adults: Starts with 0.5mg in the morning daily. It will be increased by the healthcare provider when it is needed.
For children: Their paediatrician will determine the use and dose according to their age and weight.
For oral dosage forms (solutions, tablets, and orally disintegrating tablets):
For Adults: To start with 0.5mg thrice daily. And this dose will increase by your healthcare provider when it is needed. The maximum limit of this dose is usually not to take more than 10mg per day.
For older adults: Start with 0.25mg twice or three times per day. The dose will be increased by your healthcare provider as needed.
For Children: Their paediatrician will determine their dose.
Side Effects of Clonazepam vs Xanax
There are a lot of potential side effects of benzodiazepines, but you’re likely to have more than a few. In most people, the side effects are mild and tolerable. The most common side effects of clonazepam and xanax are drowsiness and depression. A person can also experience fatigue, dizziness, or loss of coordination.
Serious side effects include seizures, weakness, etc. It can occur with an overdose or when not prescribed by the doctor. And another major effect is that people become addicted to these medicines. And, here are some signs of Xanax addiction and Clonazepam addiction:
Clonazepam
Common side effects of clonazepam:
- Drowsiness
- Shaky movements
- Diziness
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Memory problems
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
Some severe side effects of Clonazepam
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Abnormal Eye Movements
- Difficulty speaking
- Menstrual problems in women’s
- Difficulty in urinating
These are some severe side effects of clonazepam. If these side effects develop in any person, the person needs instant medical attention.
Xanax
Some most common side effects of xanax are:
- Drowsiness and Fatigue
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Dry Mouth
- Irritability
- Becoming Talkative
- Lack of concentration
- Difficulty in urine
- Joint Pain
- Constipation
Some severe side effects :
- Yellowish skin and eyes
- Difficulty in speaking
- Seizures
- Mood changes
- Confusion or memory problems
- Depression or suicidal thoughts
- Hallucinations
These are some severe conditions in which a person needs to seek instant medical attention.
Who should not take clonazepam and xanax?
- A person who has an allergic problem.
- If you have severe liver problems.
- If you have acute narrow-angle glaucoma (which occurs when the iris blocks the eye’s drainage angle and can cause sudden or permanent vision loss).
- If you drink alcohol regularly.
- If you use opioid pain medications.
- If you use medications for sleep.
- If you use muscle relaxants or muscle recovery medicines, or supplements.
These are not the full list; apart from these, there are several others, in which a person should not take Clonazepam and Xanax.
Which is right for you? Xanax or Clonazepam
Well, it is impossible to say which one is right for you, because both are similar types of drugs, and both might be used to treat the same problems. But xanax works instantly compared to clonazepam, but you have to take a higher dosage as compared to clonazepam. Xanax has effects in the body for a short time, but clonazepam remains in the body for a longer time, which helps to treat anxiety and panic attacks. Although if the person has seizure problems, they can choose clonazepam because xanax is not a seizure medication, but clonazepam helps to treat seizure attacks.
A person needs to consult a doctor if they face any problems, and should not start consuming these drugs without a prescription from a doctor. Because a person can have a xanax addiction as well as clonazepam addiction. If a person uses it without proper prescription by the doctor they start consuming more doses than usual, their dependency on these medicines increase, and these are the signs of xanax addiction or clonazepam addiction.
Because a person can become addicted to these drugs, which can cause severe side effects that cannot be cured.
Conclusion
Clonazepam (Klonopin) and Xanax (alprazolam) are two FDA-approved medications for treating anxiety and panic disorders. But Clonazepam can also be used to treat seizure attacks in children as well as adults. Both medicines are good in their own way. Both are available in various formulations, like tablets for adults and orally disintegrating tablets for those who have difficulty swallowing. Do not start taking it by yourself. Consult the doctor and take a proper dose of medicines
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