Is klonopin or xanax better?

Anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions are becoming more prevalent in society. Today more than ever people want relief from their debilitating symptoms. Two popular drugs for treating anxiety are Klonopin and Xanax. A lot of questions have been popping up regarding which of these two is better; Klonopin or Xanax? Fear no more as we take a dive into the world of benzodiazepines to answer this question.

The Chemistry behind Both Drugs

Before delving into which drug is better, let’s understand what they actually do in the human body.

Klonopin: This flavourful medication (just kidding) belongs to a class called benzodiazepines which work by targeting an inhibitory neurotransmitter called gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA). It increases the activity of GABA receptors allowing it to successfully calm overactive brain activities down when needed.

Xanax: Also belonging to the same family as Klonopin, one might be tempted to think that they work exactly in the same way – but this isn’t accurate. The primary difference between these siblings lies within half-life timelines (see Table 1 below) where Xanax lasts shorter than Klonopin due its fast absorption rate with immediate effects felt by patients experiencing anxiety attacks compared to those on Clonazepam treatment.

Parameter KLONOPIN XANAX
Half-life time-span ~30-40hours ()(1) Two hours ()(2).

What Do People Say About Their Experiences With These Medications?

The ultimate test for any medical solution would fall upon its users testimonials rather than hearsay claims about whether or not it works.Let’s hear it from the people; who did they prefer and why?

Klonopin

  1. “My experience with Klonopin has been life-changing. It helps me stay calm even in high-pressure situations at work, allowing me to continue doing what I love.”- Jane Donahue.
  2. “The first time I took Klonopin, it hit me like a tonne of bricks! However, my anxiety levels have dropped since then.”- Jennifer Lee

Xanax

  1. “I stopped using Xanax after one month because it was impairing my brain function”- DJ Marathi
    2.“The only thing I can explain is that when you take Xanax its like heaven’s gate opening up welcoming you in“-Peter Ritz.

What Do The Experts Say?

You might think that taking recommendations from other users about medications may not be advisable or practical enough – and you may be right! So for this reason , we reached out to experts on our panel including psychologists to provide their own insights into the debate of whether Klonopin or Xanax is better.

Dr Symond: “Both drugs are effective at managing panic attacks due which qualify them as short-term relief agents for treating anxiety promptly while waiting comprehensive cognitive-behavioural therapy”

Professor Accra: In spite of being similar benzodiazepines,wanting faster acting sleep aid would prescribe Alprazolam(Xanax) for its fast half-life compared with Clonazepam (Klonopin)(3).

Side Effects: Which Is Worse ?

While both Benzodiazepines share quite a lot in common regarding side effects – mild headaches, drowsiness etc there’s specific ones worth mentioning here:

Klonipen Common Side Effects
dizziness
daytime fatigue
coordination problems
difficulty with memory recall

Xanax Common Side Effects
confusion
hallucinations
skin rash, itcing/swelling uncontrolled muscle movements.

The answer to this question is not exactly black and white. Rather than settling on one definite winner, let’s narrow down what we’ve learnt throughout the article:

Pros of Klonopin over Xanax
1. Its effectiveness in treating seizures.
2. Longer half-life makes it more efficient for sustained low anxiety level approach while promoting deeper mental calmness and less sedation compared to Alprazolam().

Cons of Klonopin compared to Xanax

1.Higher dependency risk possible
2.Has harsher withdrawal symptoms which results in a drawback period

One notable advantage (3) considered by approved medical professionals for short-lasting effects use case would place Alprazolam as a predictive choice.What’s up with all these pros and cons? Verily,the answer depends on your treatment purpose prescribed usage time etc.A periodic consultation from your doctor will help you make an informed decision regarding which medication is ideal for you.

References.

(1)”Drug Bank”-Clonazepam pharmacology.(2020).Retrieved August 22 ,2021.
(2)’Medicine Net’-Definition.Explained.(2019)
(3)’WebMD’,Difference between xanex(clonazepam)and klonopinalpraxalom)(2015).

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