[anxiousguy87]

Hello all. I am having troubles with this issue. I feel that because these drugs are in the same class it should be relatively easy to switch from one to the other without having to cross taper. I was taking 1-2 mg ativan per day for the last couple of months and became worried that I was going to become dependent on it, so my doc switched me to clonazepam (up to 1 mg/day) while I am titrating up on my zoloft (hopefully this will take care of my anxiety without the need of benzos - I have had good luck with SSRIs in the past). Anyway, I was on day 5 of no lorazepam and noticed that the clonazepam wasn't doing **** for my near constant panic attacks (I recently switched SSRIs and attribute it to this). Clonazepam has worked for me before so I know it should do something... but I decided to take an ativan and, boom, panic gone. Just wondering if one needs to cross taper these benzos as this is what seems to be the case in my experience?

[Travelinglady]

Hi, anxiousguy87, and welcome to Psych Central! My opinion is that Ativan acts more quickly. I just have had it in the hospital. I tapered on Klonopin for a good while and was switched to Xanax.

I would think a pharmacist could answer your question. I'm not confident in any advice I'd give you. But do tell your doctor what happened as soon as you can. Maybe doses can be adjusted?

[still_crazy]

hi. with the benzodiazepines, its all about potency. Klonopin is 20x more potent than valium. So, you're 1mgs Klonopin is roughly=20mgs Valium, which is on the low-ish end.

Ativan is about half as potent as Klonopin. However, it starts working faster and doesn't last as long.

My wild guess is that your dosages are about equal, but the drugs are different in how they affect you. Plus, Klonopin has more of a mood stabilizing effect, too (this is why so many people with bipolar are prescribed Klonopin long term), so I imagine that might play a role in how you feel on the different pills.