Recently, the WHO says that anxiety, depression, or mental health issues affect the normal life of many people. Individuals imagine a life free from anxiety and depression, where every morning greets them with renewed energy, but they don’t know how to recover from a mental disorder in a busy, scheduled life. Don’t be late. From today on, try antidepressant drugs to cure it. In this blog, we will discuss Ativan vs Valium. Both are used for anxiety and mental disorders, but their mechanisms are somewhat different. Don’t be confused by choosing between Ativan and Valium. Through this article, you can get the best knowledge about choosing.
What Are Ativan And Valium?
Ativan
Ativan, which comes under the generic name Lorazepam, is the best treatment of an anti anxiety and an antidepressant. And belongs to the class of benzodiazepines that provide soothing effects on the brain by increasing the natural chemical effects. Ativan pills are also used in different treatments, like:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Doctors often prescribed Ativan to manage symptoms like excessive worry and restlessness.
- Short-Term Relief: Short-term relief or anxiety situations, such as pre-surgery anxiety or acute stress, Ativan is the best treatment..
- Panic Disorder: It is effective for the treatment of sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort, commonly known as panic attacks.
Valium
It comes under the benzodiazepines medication class and has a generic name, Diazepam, that works by increasing the GABA neurotransmitter by controlling the balance of certain chemicals in the brain to alleviate anxiety and promote relaxation. Valium capsules are also used in different treatments, like:
- Insomnia: A sleeping disorder called insomnia, where individuals face difficulty staying asleep for as long as desired. In this case, doctors are prescribing Valium for the cure.
- Seizures: In some cases, Valium is used to treat seizures by calming abnormal activity in the brain.
- Memory Loss: When individuals have overstressed, at that time, memory loss occurs. To reduce the stress, Valium is prescribed.
Similarities In Ativan & Valium
Both Ativan and Valium come under the benzodiazepines medication class and are used for the treatment of anxiety, seizures, insomnia, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms by increasing the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in your brain to regulate the central nervous system. Excluding this, there are many similarities between Ativan & Valium. Such as:
- Both are Schedule IV drugs and can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription. They must be taken 2-4 times a day.
- They are covered by most insurance plans.
- Come as oral tablets and injection solution
- If one stops suddenly, both can cause withdrawal symptoms.
- If Ativan and Valium are misused, both show the same side effects, like confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, and respiratory problems.
Difference Between Ativan & Valium
Before using Ativan or Valium, one should be aware of the difference between them. Like similarities, there are many differences between Ativan and Valium. Such as:
- Generic Name: Both belong to different generic names. Ativan comes in Lorazepam, while Valium comes under the generic name Diazepam.
- Age: Ativan is suitable for use in adults and children 12 years of age and older. At that time, Valium was used in adults and children 6 months of age and older.
- Dosage: Ativan comes in two dosages like 1 mg and 2 mg, where Valium also comes in 2 dosages but 5 mg and 10 mg.
- Duration of Action: Ativan is an intermediate-acting substance, which means the body will eliminate the drug faster, whereas Valium is a long-acting benzodiazepine, which means it takes a long time to eliminate the drug from your body.
Dosage Differences
Generally, Ativan comes in two different dosages, such as 1 mg and 2 mg. Valium also comes in two dosages such as 5 mg and 10 mg. Both are used as anti-anxiety medications, but their uses vary depending on several circumstances, like age or presently using other medications. Before using, individuals must consult with healthcare professionals. They provide proper guidance on what dose is appropriate for you by checking your health conditions.
Ativan Vs Valium: Which Is Stronger?
Generally, Ativan is more potent and faster-acting than Valium. So, Ativan is stronger. In some cases, neither Valium or Ativan is best because of some circumstances. Some research says both Ativan and Valium are equally effective for anxiety, but Ativan is more effective with a lower dose and is more sedative for many patients, whereas Valium is considered less potent per mg but longer duration of action.
For Muscle Spasms
Both Ativan and Valium are used for anxiety and muscle spasms, but Valium is a better option for the treatment of muscle spasms as FDA FDA-approved. It is a long-acting relief provider. Many people may be prescribed Valium off-label as an anxiolytic before surgery. It is also used as an off-label treatment for muscle spasms and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
For Sleep
When it comes to sleep disorders or insomnia, Ativan is more preferable than Valium. For individuals who primarily struggle with sleeping problems, Ativan is used as a faster action at that time, while Valium is used for a long duration and can be beneficial for those who experience difficulty maintaining sleep throughout the night. Ativan is effective within 30 to 60 minutes and lasts up to 6-8 hours. But Valium takes effect within 30 to 90 minutes and lasts up to 8-12 hours or more, and is useful for those who require extended sleep.
Ativan Or Valium Alternatives:
Depending upon the different reasons like age, absorption capacity of this drug in the body, and using other medications, individuals want to take alternative medications for anxiety. These medications include:
- Lexapro: Lexapro is an antidepressant and belongs to the SSRI class of medications. It is primarily used for depression and generalized anxiety disorder, which work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain that helps regulate mood, sleep, and emotions.
- Xanax: Xanax works by enhancing the effects of the neurotransmitter called GABA in the brain, which helps to produce calming effects. As compared to Ativan or Valium, Xanax is also used for generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and anxiety.
- Hydroxyzine: It is useful for itching and sedating, which is why sometimes it is used for sleep or anxiety.
- Seroquel: Primarily, when Ativan is not responding to first-line medication at that time Seroquel is used for bipolar disorder, treatment-resistant anxiety,y and acute episodes of anxiety.
- Buspirone: Buspirone is primarily used for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Warnings & Precautions
Both are used for anxiety and mental depression, but they come with different warnings. Such as:
- If individuals take both together, it shows many side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion.
- Don’t take this benzodiazepine medication with other opioids, for which it increases the risk of respiratory problems, coma, and even death.
- If one stops using this medication suddenly, it may cause withdrawal symptoms.
- Both are Schedule IV controlled substances, but should not be used as long-term treatment. So be careful.
- When one uses either Ativan or Valium, at that time it is advised to avoid alcohol, otherwise it causes a life risk.
- Always try to take the proper dose under the supervision of healthcare professionals. If you take a missed dose or overdose, it can show serious side effects like depression, coma, and respiratory disorders.
- It is not recommended to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you take it without the doctor’s permission, it will affect your baby.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Ativan and Valium The Same?
No, Ativan is a short-acting medication that lasts up to 6-8 hours, and Valium is a long-acting medication that lasts up to 8-12 hours.
Can I Take Ativan & Valium Together?
No, it is not safe to take Ativan and Valium together. It shows life risks such as respiratory depression, coma, and even death.
What Is Better For Anxiety Than Valium?
Xanax is better for anxiety than Valium because it is more effective in treating anxiety symptoms.
Is Ativan Still Good After 5 Years?
Don’t use Ativan after 5 years or after the expiration date. If you use it after the expiration date, it will not work as before and may show many side effects.
Does Ativan Stop Worrying?
Depending on your health conditions, this can make you feel calm and relieve anxiety.
Final Thoughts
Both Ativan and Valium are the best treatments for anxiety and mental depression, but they work differently. Ativan is used as a short-term reliever for those who try to sleep faster, while Valium is used as a long-term treatment for those who try to sleep longer as desired. According to a healthcare provider, one can use this medication properly for which they don’t have any side effects or without facing any life-threatening problems.