Ativan vs. Xanax – What Are The Key Differences?
As most people will know, Ativan and Xanax are two extremely popular antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications used in the modern era. Whilst there are a large number of different drugs available to be prescribed for these reasons, clinicians and GPs tend to favour both Ativan and Xanax, due to their longevity in the market and proven safety record.
But which is better? Which is more effective for treating depression, and which is more effective for treating anxiety? Is one better for both? Let's take a detailed look at both drugs to see if we can come to some sort of conclusion as to which is more efficient and effective in today's market.
Key Features of Ativan
Ativan has been on the market since 1977, after a mistake in a laboratory produced a bizarre new drug which seemed to make people happy. After some confusion surrounding the creation, trials were performed to see exactly what Ativan could be used for.
In just a few short years, the results were clear. Ativan is an incredible drug which is used to treat the following symptoms:
- Anxiety (especially acute episodes such as anxiety attacks)
- Depression (both short and long-term)
- Insomnia (when other – more specific drugs - fail)
- As an Anticonvulsant
Whilst these four points are the most common uses for Ativan, the list is certainly not in its entirety. One of the key benefits to using Ativan is that in different doses, the drug can have different effects on the body, and therefore be used for entirely different things without having to keep swapping products.
Key Features of Xanax
In our quest to see whether or not there is a clear winner between Ativan vs. Xanax, it’s useful to see exactly what Xanax is used for also.
On its own, Xanax is used to treat depression and anxiety. Unlike Ativan, the scope of benefits that can be gained from using in prescribing Xanax is much narrower - possibly as a result of its more recent discovery.
Whilst Ativan was discovered some 30 years ago, Xanax is a much newer, more modern evolution of the drug - hence the targeting and possible increase in efficiency that Xanax offers over Ativan.