Clonazepam Versus Xanax

Both Clonazepam and Xanax are drugs known as benzodiazepines that are designed to calm a person down who is suffering from anxiety attacks as well as treating other types of disorders. However, generally speaking each drug is designed to combat panic and anxiety that is associated with depression. Clonazepam for example may also be used for those who have epilepsy, OCD, clinical depression and seizures.

Xanax

Xanax, which is also known as Alprazolam, was first patented in 1969 when it was released to the public shortly afterward. Xanax is the first approved drug for use against panic disorder and has been the most widely used as well as abused on the US market ever since. While some experts state that the effects of misusing the drug are low, there is no question that it has been over-prescribed in many cases for symptoms that do not rise to the level of taking medication.

Clonazepam

Clonazepam, also known as Klonopin in the US, has also been used to treat anxiety disorders for people around the world under various brand names. It is a more recent drug than Xanax, but that does not necessarily make it more effective. It is however one that does offer a high rate of success with little potential for overdosing as it has low levels of toxicity. However, like Xanax it also has similar side effects which may make it difficult to drive or perform complex tasks.

Treatment and Symptoms

Each drug has treated millions of people around the world who suffer from symptoms of anxiety. There are a considerable number of similarities between the drugs starting with their overall effect on the brain. The purpose of each is to increase the effect of the gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA that brings about a calming effect to the nervous system. The effect is such that it may actually go further to cause drowsiness or even a sedative-type effect that can make driving or operating heavy machinery quite dangerous.

Over the years, there have been various studies performed to compare the effects of each drug on anxiety attacks and the results have been uniformly the same. While everyone reacts to medications in their own particular way, the studies that have been conducted so far have not shown any significant difference between each one.

The Differences Between Clonazepam and Xanax

Although the overall effect is similar, there are some differences between each drug. Clonazepam for example is also prescribed for different types of medical conditions as mentioned before while Xanax is pretty much for anxiety and panic attacks that are associated with depression. However, other than the application for how each drug is prescribed, there does seem to be very little difference in terms of effect.

In fact, the differences between each drug is so minimal in terms of its overall effectiveness that your doctor may prescribe one first to see its effects and then switch to the other if the desired results are not achieved. For millions of people who suffer from anxiety or panic attacks that are rooted in depression, taking Clonazepam or Xanax may very well be the right answer.