what benzo is equal to what? - Anxiety Message Board

red-rider · 12-27-2005, 04:55 AM

I see comparisons here on the board~like x amount of xanax is equal to x amount of valium. But each drug is a bit different although in the same class. So I wonder if the 1mg of Ativan I take is really truly "Equal" to 10 mg of Valium? That seems excessive for the valium but low for the Ativan. Like could we say 2 extra strength Tylenol are equal to one 200 mg I buprofen? Am I making sense?~LOL! Maybe I should take 10 mgs of Valium and see if it stacks up to 1mg of Ativan? but then again I dont have any! Maybe 10 mgs of Valium would knock me out? Do docs still prescribe it~or do they have another favorite?
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2006

RR

bulletinboard25 · 12-27-2005, 06:02 AM

Heres a good gauge...
Xanax is pretty much the most commonly prescribed medicine of its kind.. I know in 2003 it was the MOST commonly prescribed med of its kind for stress related disorders.

.5mg of Xanax=.25mg of Klonopin.
.5mg of Xanax=1mg of ativan.
.5mg of xanax=5mg of valium

its not uncommon to get prescribed 10mg of valium 3 times a day...

10mg of xanax is the maximum amount currently approved to be prescribed by the fda... however most don't get to that point.

red-rider · 12-28-2005, 02:37 AM

Thank you for the response!
Forgive my lack of math~but~how many Xanax(.25mg) are equal to 1mg of Ativan?
I currently take 1mg of Ativan to help keep my BP in line~but it also helps my anxiety. I have a bottle of Xanax(.25mg) that I have wanted to try but I have been a little afraid to because I have read on here that it's the best for anxiety/panic but it runs in and out of the system in like 4 hrs. The Ativan stays with me for 8 hrs. Could I try the Xanax-INSTEAD-of the Ativan? Or would I need to wean off the daily Ativan that Ive been on for 7mos. I am SO curious to see if the Xanax is better for me all the way around~but I have taken ativan for so long~I trust it and Im just a little fearful of the other benzo's.
Any suggestions?
thanx~RR

bulletinboard25 · 12-28-2005, 03:02 AM

You'll need to take 2 of the .25mg Xanax to equal the 1mg of Ativan.

It shouldn't be a problem to switch from the Ativan to the Xanax as far as withdrawal is concerned.

Might want to talk with your Dr. about this...

do you have these 2 meds from different doctors?

Even though these meds are in the same class, they vary slightly... and can have varying effects. You're taking Ativan for your BP, is this prescribed by your regular doctor?

I'm just curious if you are doing what you think is best or what your doctor thinks is best.

Definitely discuss it with your dr..

red-rider · 12-28-2005, 07:34 PM

thanx bulletin board! One doc gave me Diovan for bp plus Ativan for anxiety. A new doc has offered me Xanax. I chose to take the Ativan daily because I was SO sick and tired of the BP spikes an anxiety. And I did not want to take 3-4 BP meds at a time like most people end up doing. My hypertension is mild. If i did not have anxiety/panic I would not need any imo
best regards~RR