Clonazepam Or Diazepam for Generalized Anxiety And Panic Atacks: Which Is Better?

[love_sex_desire]

Diazepam or Clonazepam? So the consensus seems to be that clonazepam is more effective than diazepam for the treatment of anxiety? Do you agree? I'm looking for opinions please!

My girlfriend is currently prescribed diazepam and clonazepam. I was suggesting that she exchange her diazepam dose for an equivalent amount of clonazepam so she would be taking clonazepam only. Diazepam seems to be more popular recreationally, but do most people agree that clonazepam is more effective for anxiety?

What about panic atacks? She has begun to experience panic attacks and rarely uses benzos other than when experiencing a panic attack, and I am curious what benzo is suggested for panic attacks? I'm assuming clonazepam would be recommended over diazepam for both general anxiety as well as panic attacks.

She experiences panic attacks more frequently at night, so do you recommend that she take benzos during the day to try and prevent a panic attack? I don't think she has found taking benzos earlier in the day effective for preventing panic attacks, so she generally doesn't bother taking any benzos until she is starting to feel the onset of panic.

If there are any benzos better suited for panic attacks than clonazepam or diazepam I welcome any suggestions, although I would hope that my girlfriend would not require a benzo with more intense withdrawal effects such as temazepam.

 

[LonE1]

Xanax is the best.

Kicks in almost instantly and while it doesnt lasts as long it works the best for me for panic attacks (and stim comedowns they are a blessing).

Good luck and DONT get addicted

 

[HdoubleODeezy]

^ they are right about xanax the best for panic attacks but it has a short half life compared to clonazepam and diazepam so it doesn't last nearly as long.

i would say clonazepam over diazepam but really it is personal preference, try them both and see which works better for you, everyone reacts different to meds and one may be better for someone than it is for someone else. but both are good medications to treat anxiety disorders.

 

[jamesBrown]

I am prescribed clonazepam for severe anxiety/severe panic attacks, and it has worked WONDERS. I definitely reccomend it over xanax because it lasts MUCH longer(all day long, so you only have to dose once in the morning) and over diazepam, because Ive noticed that clonazepam is a little more potent than diazepam and you build a tolerance to it a little slower.

But if your looking for a drug to use only occasionly in random circumstances that cause you to have severe anxiety/panic attacks....I might reccomend xanax, because popping half a bar(1mg) under your tounge when the panic attack hits works VERY quickly and is quite potent and effective in calming you down and making the attack dissapear.

But, once again, for a daily thing.....the longer acting benzo's such as clonazepam(klonopin) or maybe even diazepam(valium) would be a better fit.

 

[love_sex_desire]

Thanks for the suggestions. My girlfriend doesn;t take benzos in the morning to prevent panic attacks. She finds benzos don't work when taken in advance so she only takes them when she is starting to feel the onset of a panic attack. She experiences panic attacks usually at night so I'll encourage her to take clonazepam in the evening to try and prevent the panic attacks. I'll also suggest replacing her valium with xanax, so she'll have the long lastin clonazepam as well as the fast acting xanax.

Does anyone know why phenazepam works so poorly for anxiety? My friend said that phenazepam made him drowsy, but did little for his anxiety. I'm wondering if others feel the same and why phenazepam would be prescribed in some countries if it is largely inneffective for most people.

 

[HdoubleODeezy]

i think phenazepam is second best to clonazepam IMO.

1- clonazepam
2- phenazepam
3- diazepam
4- alprazolam
5- lorazepam

but like i said in my other post, everyone has personal preference to what works best for them so if someone else was to make a list like mine it would most likely be in a different order.. but there is a whole other thread for listing your favorite benzos like i did so if you are going to do it, find that thread.. i only did it to show the OP

 

[jamesBrown]

No one really knows too much about phenazepam as its a "new" benzo that is still legal(not for long) therefore there hasn't been nearly as much research done on it by the big pharmaceutical companies. Atleast there really isnt much reliable information out there concerning phenazepam because its not a prescribed mediacation and can only be obtained over the internet for the most part.

Anything people tell you about it here on BL is really just speculation and personal experience. Some of it may be accurate and valuable information but for the most part I wouldnt put too much faith in these peoples experiences. Atleast dont use them as guidelines for your decisions concerning the use of phenazepam.

I highly recommend staying away from phenzepam for many reasons(some of which I have allready talked about)....one of which is that the sources for this drug may not be very reliable. Since its not an FDA approved medication and its not made by pharmaceutical companies, the regulations concerning the production of phenazepam are virtually non-existent. In short.....you really dont know exactly what your getting when you purchase this drug online or wherever.

Stick with the clonazepam and xanax...I think that was a much better idea.

 

[love_sex_desire]

My girlfriend has no plans to use phenazepam, but it is prescribed in some European countries and I am simply curious as to why it seemed to have little effect on anxiety for my friend. Considering HdoubleO thinks it is a worthwhile benzo it just goes to show how everyone reacts differently.

I realize ordering chemicals online isn't recommened but I did order etizolam from a reputable source for my girlfriend to try, and my girlfriend has found etizolam to work very well. It is a thienodiazepine, not a benzo, and has anti-depressant properties as well as potent hypnotic effects. I suppose like phenazepam there is not much information on etizolam, although it is prescribed in a few places such as Japan. I'm wondering because etizolam has strong hypnotic effects, will it have harsher withdrawal effects like other hypnototic benzos such as temazepam?

Etizolam has worked really well when she is experiencing panic attacks and sometimes it comes in handy because she is only prescribed 1 mg of clonazepam and 10 mg of valium a day. She used to be prescribed 6 mg of clonazepam a day, so sometimes she needs more than she is prescribed currently.

Anyone have info on etizolam? It's working well as a backup for panic attacks.

 

[mich29]

I have a friend who was prescribed these this is good food for thought info here

 

[love_sex_desire]

^ You're friend was prescribed etizolam? Where was he prescribed? AFAIK it is only prescribed in Japan and possibly a couple other obscure countries. Definitely not in North America or the UK. It is actually a really good anti-anxiolytic.

 

[TokinDerrick]

^ You're friend was prescribed etizolam? Where was he prescribed? AFAIK it is only prescribed in Japan and possibly a couple other obscure countries. Definitely not in North America or the UK. It is actually a really good anti-anxiolytic.

remember the thread name has both clonazepam and diazepam in the title, and he said "these". some people, if they come along and the thread is already long, but they still want to tell the OP something will not read the thread and simply post what they wanted to tell the OP.

if that were the case here, the poster should've used the quote button. but who knows.

now, back to the main topic.

thats a hard one to choose from. but I guess I"d have to go with valium, since its less amnesic. at least to me, but I'm scripted it. 10-20mg will make me ok with going to like wal-mart or some other crowded store. 40mg will have me buzzed. with clonazepam if I wanted just anxiety control I guess I'd just use 0.5mg. because 1mg is where I start to get high. and 2mg is when I start to get amnesia. so my answer, if you're really talking about general anxiety here, I'd go with valium because they're easier to take and not get bombed on accident or something. they don't really come in a strength in a single pill to get high like other benzo's. (like a 2mg xanax will fuck a lot of people up, and thats only one pill). valium comes in a 2mg, which really does nothing, 5mg, and 10mg which is where I start to get relief. some people are a light touch though and 5mg is where they start to feel this. but I don't know anyone who would get anything off 2mg, even really old people. and thats what I'm scripted. so I have to take at least 5 at a time.

 

[phatass]

diazepam.. but everybody responds to benzos differently

 

[lueleison]

Long experience

I've had a panic disorder for like 80 years. At first they used valium since it was the only drug around. Problem: tolerance increases and so does the dose, half-lives and it's one of the toughest drugs to taper off. Valium is used only for short-term, occaisionally or if detoxing from alcohol. It's psychologically addictive and causes cravings. It was responsible for speeding up my alcoholism since alcohol and valium can create an euphoria and kill too.
Xanax and Clonazapem are recommened for anxiety problems. They are both long-acting (as opposed to ativan.) Taken at regular intervals throughout the day they keep the anxiety in check. At first they may seem like a party drug, but they are boring. Falling asleep is as about exciting as it gets.

 

[StaySedated]

clonazepam would likely be better for anxiety, panic, etc. clonazepam is one of the strongest anti-anxiety benzos, is long acting, and is generaly less "hypnotic"(makes you sleepy) than diazepam. i am on clonazepam for generalized anxiety disorder, and it works better for me than diazepam, alpralozam, and lorazepam did.

however, both are good and everybody is different when it comes to benzos.

 

[pally pete]

I've had a panic disorder for like 80 years. At first they used valium since it was the only drug around. Problem: tolerance increases and so does the dose, half-lives and it's one of the toughest drugs to taper off. Valium is used only for short-term, occaisionally or if detoxing from alcohol. It's psychologically addictive and causes cravings. It was responsible for speeding up my alcoholism since alcohol and valium can create an euphoria and kill too.
Xanax and Clonazapem are recommened for anxiety problems. They are both long-acting (as opposed to ativan.) Taken at regular intervals throughout the day they keep the anxiety in check. At first they may seem like a party drug, but they are boring. Falling asleep is as about exciting as it gets.

how old are you if you dont mind me asking? because if you have had a panic disorder for 80 years,in my book you must be at least......

also im no expert but xanax is not long acting.

 

[StaySedated]

Xanax and Clonazapem are recommened for anxiety problems. They are both long-acting (as opposed to ativan.) QUOTE]

xanax is actually a short but fast acting benzo(duration about 3-5 hrs.), and is usually used more for acute panic attacks than regular dosing to treat anxiety. also, lorazepam(ativan) is an intermediate duration(5-7 hr.) and is actually better for regular dosing than xanax.

clonazepam however is long acting(9-12 hr. duration) and is a good benzo for longer term use in treating anxiety.

 

[BottleOfOxy]

diazepam.. but everybody responds to benzos differently

^^i completely agree with is and to the OP i find that benzos are the weirdest drugs as far as one having completely different effects depending on the person.

recreationally: i'm with phatass on the diazepam, it fucks me up and i love it.

but for GAD: i'm currently scripted 4mg of clonazepam a day (2mg and then 2mg) as well as 1mg pills of alprazolam for any actual panic ATTACKS. and this for me has been the golden combo, the clonazepam is excellent to create a more calm, well adjusted person, and it has done that for me. the alprazolam sublingually will pacify any breakthroughs.

I used to be scripted (for about 9 months) just Xanax ER and this worked okay..... but doesn't give you the total coverage that clonazepam does. However i could always chew'em up for a little quicker relief .

but in short....... i could recommend clonazepam daily, and then an extra script of alprazolam IR for the actual attacks


goood luck!

p.s. i find the alprazolam will help relax you and help you clam down, but as far as the recovery from the panic attack (assuming your worrying about some on going issue) after the fact nothing helps me more than smoking some weed to relax and prehaps think about what the next step is, because putting something off is only going to prolong the anxiety relating to any situation.

 

[StaySedated]

p.s. i find the alprazolam will help relax you and help you clam down, but as far as the recovery from the panic attack (assuming your worrying about some on going issue) after the fact nothing helps me more than smoking some weed to relax and prehaps think about what the next step is, because putting something off is only going to prolong the anxiety relating to any situation.

smoking weed is a terrible idea for anxiety/panic attacks, as weed is a mild psychedelic and can induce or greatly worsen feelings of anxiety, stress, or panic. this is this reason why some people don't like weed, it's psychedelic effects can induce paranoia and/or anxiety/panic attacks in people prone to anxiety.

benzos are truly the best choice for anxiety and panic disorders. certain antidepressants can also sometimes be a good choice if the patient tolerates them well and is dedicated to stick to them. ssri's and tricyclics are usually used, but they take time to work(so they're not good for acute attacks) and aren't effective in some people, but if they do work they are good as they aren't addictive, impairing, or have the possible long term use consequences that benzos can have.

*also, there is an anti-anxiety drug out there called buspirone(buspar). its become popular with doctors who don't like to perscribe benzos when they're needed. i've been perscribed it and it only made things worse. this is just my personal experience but if your doc starts to go this way, my advice is to refuse and if he continues its time to find a new doc. this stupid drug works only on a small number of people and takes weeks to work if it does. and its just not me saying this, A LOT of people i know with anxiety problems have tried it and it has either not worked or made thing worse. just a heads up...

 

[BananasAndOranges]

Xanax and Clonazapem are recommened for anxiety problems. They are both long-acting (as opposed to ativan.) QUOTE]

xanax is actually a short but fast acting benzo(duration about 3-5 hrs.), and is usually used more for acute panic attacks than regular dosing to treat anxiety. also, lorazepam(ativan) is an intermediate duration(5-7 hr.) and is actually better for regular dosing than xanax.

clonazepam however is long acting(9-12 hr. duration) and is a good benzo for longer term use in treating anxiety.

correcto. Lorazepam(2mg pills) or Clonazepam are the best. I say 2mg Lorazepam because the 1mg pills are a biiiit rediculous, small, and if you drop your bottle you may lose all your pills in a crack or some shit. No jokes.

 

[K'd-OUT-in-AZ]

I find Clonazepam to be much more effective due to its duration. I'm on Diazepam for benzo taper and some people think that it is a long lasting benzodiazepine due to its half-life. That is false, it is short acting, maybe 3-4 hours. Clonazepam is widely prescribed for panic attacks but for panic disorder to be given in the morning before situations that may cause panic happen. I wouldn't find Diazepam to be great for panic disorder and 2nd to Clonazepam (from the two options) for GAD as well.