Klonopin VS Ativan??

Question

I was wondering which works better on panic attacks.. klonopin or ativan. I have a prescription for Klonopin 1mg, and Ativan 0.5mg. Not sure which one to take, to work faster.

Fast, Serious Answers Only Please...

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Referencing a book called Psychotropic Drugs and Women: Fast Facts by Hendrick & Gitlin...under "rapidity of effect" with the options being rapid, intermediate or slow...both are intermediate. Klonopin has a longer half life though. Personally, I do well with Ativan but was tired all the time on Klonopin.

There is a chart about equivalent doses of benzodiazapines
.5 mg ativan is = to .25-.5 of Klonopin.

Usual daily dose of Ativan is 1-6 mg (although I only take .5-1 mg and it works well even after being on it for many years) and for Klonopin it is .5- 3 mg

I have to wonder though, why on earth do you have two prescriptions for benzos? That is not something most doctors would prescribe at the same time. I certainly would not recommend taking more than one benzo at a time without explicit instructions (and a solid, sensible explanation of why) from a doctor to do so.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Thank you for your help. The doctor prescribed me on the Ativan in May, & it was supposed to be a daily dose. I didn't feel right taking it daily, so I stopped. Then I went in for panic attacks, & he prescribed me the klonopin as needed for anxiety. So that's why I have a prescription for both.

Answer 2

Probably ativan.

Answer 3

Klonopin for sure. Take it from one in the healthcare field.

Answer 4

I take klonopin it works well for me,I take 4mgs.per day
I was taking ativan for 8yrs. and ended up in the hospital,I used to think Drs. knew best. Not always the case

Answer 5

They are both in the class of drugs called benzodiazapines. The half-lifes are very different. Klonopin is long acting and Ativan is shorter acting. The pharmacist that filled the perscription can data more specific data. He is highly trained to provide patient education related to medications.
Like...onset of action, duration, frequency/intervals of use, indications for use, side effects, risk for abuse/adiction, risk vs benefit, other drugs that potentiate it, precautions(like if not to stop abruptly etc.)
You really need to be careful not to drive while taking these. You can fall asleep at the wheel. It can have similar effects as alcohol would. You can put "benzodiazapines" in the web search and that would help give you some insights.
Good Luck.

Answer 6

Ativan is definitely faster acting and personally, I find klonopin ineffective for panic attacks. Please ask your doctor why she prescribed two benzodiazapans.