[refactory man]

I was wondering other peoples experiences with xanax and klonopin. Which is better? I take klonopin and it doesn't do much. I was thinking of switching to xanax because I've heard it's stronger. Some advice?

[unico]

I have the opposite problem -- Klonopin works for me whereas Xanax doesn't help me. But if Klonopin isn't helping you another benzo might be better (whether it's Xanax or something else).

[imatter2]

I am on Klonopin and dislike it, plan to discontinue in the near future. It has a super long half life so you can't take it as often as you can with Xanax or most of the other benzos, so if you have a breakthrough episode you're either out of luck or you take one anyway and run out of your Rx sooner. Its long half life makes it harder to get off, too. I found Xanax was more helpful when I took it as far as controling anxiety but it made me such a zombie way more than Klonopin does, and I have kids to look after so I chose to switch, my doc recommended the Klonopin as a replacement and I regret going with her suggestion instead of looking into all my options first. I would have opted for a milder benzo and supplemented with an acceptable herbal alternative like KavaKava or Valerian instead, at least to try for a while and see if it worked.

[island_er]

They affect me very differently as well. Klonopin, like Phrick said, has a super long half life. So if I take this even just once a night, after a week or so, I start feeling depressed and crying often. However, it IS the one thing I can take when I'm in a social/party situation and feel panic-attack-y or overwhelmed. So I guess for me, it's the go-to for social anxiety.

[PromisesToKeep]

Both benzodiazepines that you mentioned indeed have very different half-lifes. Xanax tends to stay active for about 4 hours but does have a very quick response time (taking dosage until the time you feel its effects). It is for because of the intensity and quick response that it is often prescribed on a prn basis with dosages ranging from .25 mg to 2 mg. Yet because of its intensity, it is a highly abused drug and if you have experience with self-medicating or addiction issues, I recommend that you seek an alternative treatment

Klonopin has a half life about twice as long as Xanax but it takes a lot more response time and the intensity of its effects are very low by comparison. In fact, I dont even feel my dosages at all but it is preventing onset of panic attacks.

Ativan is a benzo that you might want to consider. Its half-life is about 6 hours and the intensity is mild. I have also responded well to ativan but switched to klonopin as I do not want to be mentally altered, even minimally.

I hope this information was helpful. Regardless of the treatment you choose, realize that benzos stay in your blood system between 48 and 72 hours so it is very important that one does not exceed the recommended dosage.

Best wishes,
ptk