When it comes to treating anxiety and panic disorders, the substances used are depressants, which are also categorized as benzodiazepines. These drugs specifically target the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in your brain and then causes them to slow down.
In this , we are going to tackle Klonopin and Xanax, which are both under the benzodiazepine drug class. Consequently, there is an on-going discussion of whether Klonopin is the same as Xanax in any aspect. Also, we’re going to highlight the differences between the two as well.
Without further delay, let’s start.
Basic Overview On Benzodiazepines
The main function of benzodiazepines is to slow down the process of your brain and body. Having said that, its common applications include treating insomnia, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, anxiety, panic disorders, seizures, muscle relaxant, and used as an anesthesia.
However, using these drugs also entails a few side effects which include the following.
Feeling dizzy
Inability to focus
Slower muscle and fine motor skill coordination
Short-term memory loss
Slight headache
Confusion
Feeling anxious or sad
Conversely, you need to avoid using other depressants when medicating with benzos because of the intense sedation it can do to your system. Some of the substances you need to avoid while using benzos are narcotics, barbiturates, tranquilizers, and alcohol.
Comparing Xanax and Klonopin
So now we’re going to have a close comparison between these two sbenzos, and familiarize ourselves with their similarities and differences. Let’s go over it and learn more about them.
Usage
You use Xanax for treating anxiety disorders, while Klonopin is for patients suffering from seizures.
Onset and Duration
Technically, benzodiazepines are also grouped based on how fast they work and how long their effects stay on your body. Having said that, Xanax provides a quicker action than Klonopin, wherein the former reaches its peak concentration 1 to 2 hours after oral ingestion. In contrast, you can feel the maximum effect of Klonopin 1 to 4 hours right after taking it.
In terms of how long its effects last, it will be around 4 to 6 hours for Xanax, while 12 hours for Klonopin. However, the specific duration for each drug will greatly vary for every person’s physical condition.
All things considered, you don’t need to regularly take Klonopin to feel its benefits unlike Xanax since the former stays longer in your body. Furthermore, Asian people taking Xanax experience a higher level of sedation than other races.
Strengths
Now let’s compare the strengths of these two benzos to check their potency. A 0.25 mg immediate-release Xanax oral tablet is of equal strength to a 0.5 mg Klonopin oral tablet and 0.125 mg Klonopin disintegrating oral tablet. With that, the disintegrating Klonopin oral tablet is stronger than the IR Xanax oral tablet.
Nevertheless, the 0.5 mg Klonopin oral tablet has equal potency with Xanax extended-release 0.5 mg oral tablet.
In addition, the race and physical makeup of a person will affect the absorption rate of these drugs. In line with this, Asians can quickly metabolize and absorb Xanax than other races.
Withdrawal Symptoms
All benzodiazepines have withdrawal symptoms that you will feel once you slowly cut back from using them. In general, Xanax gives off more serious withdrawal effects than Klonopin due to its composition and shorter half-life. Half-life is the duration in which the original concentration of a drug cuts down to 50%.
Alongside this, Xanax (9 to 20 hours) has a shorter half-life than Klonopin (19 to 60 hours), and typically drugs with shorter half-lives tend to have more intense withdrawal impacts on your body. This happens since those with longer half-lives tend to have a much stable concentration in your blood.
Besides, here are the common symptoms you will after when you start cutting from taking these substances.
- Hallucinations, body shaking, feeling restless, slight convulsion, stomach pains, tired muscles, anxiety, and depression
Which drug poses a higher risk for dependence?
Well, both of these substances pose a great risk for tolerance and dependence because of their nature. On average, when you continually use either Klonopin or Xanax for 14 straight days, you will gradually develop dependence. Also, around 50% of patients using any of these drugs for six straight months gained dependence.
Having said that, you need to follow your doctor’s prescription when medicating with any of these drugs. Also, avoid mixing these two substances, or using any other depressants while under medication of Klonopin or Xanax.
Do Klonopin and Xanax work the same way?
Well, both drugs are under the benzodiazepine class (known as depressants), so they target the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) of your brain, which is responsible for calming your brain and body.
With that, it serves well for easing your anxiety, panic disorders, muscle tension, and insomnia. Both drugs are approved by the FDA for medicating patients with anxiety and panic disorders due to their proven sedating effects.
Compared to other benzos, these two drugs make you less likely to sleep, while reducing your anxiety and panic attacks. Nevertheless, Klonopin has a stronger medicinal effect in treating panic attacks than Xanax. Anyhow, to avoid overdose and dependence, you need to strictly follow your doctor’s prescription.
How Long Does It Stay In Your System?
Both drugs have varying time that it stays inside your body, and it is affected by certain factors such as body weight, health, and age of the patient.
Overall, Xanax stays shorter in your body than Klonopin because of its shorter half-life.
Are You Developing Dependence on Klonopin and Xanax?
These two benzos have proven benefits for treating muscle tensions, anxiety, and panic disorders. However, its potency is associated with the risk for dependence, especially when you take higher doses or go beyond your medication period.
Klonopin and Xanax have their respective similarities and differences, which we tackle in the previous sections. If ever you have gained dependence on these prescription drugs, don’t hesitate to talk to a doctor or an addiction specialist. These professionals can help you receive a customized treatment plan to overcome addiction or dependence on these substances.
Get professional help as soon as possible, to prevent further complications and severe withdrawal effects.
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_Assigned to Immanuel Caralde_