Question 1

is there a difference between ativan and klonopin (clonazepam)?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Both Ativan and Klonopin (clonazepam) are benzodiazepines and can be used to treat anxiety symptoms.  Ativan is shorter-acting than Klonopin (clonazepam) though -- half-life of 8-24 hours compared to 19-60 hours.

Question 2

at hospital, i was given klonopin daily and ativan as needed.  my former psych wouldn't allow xanax (alprazolam) with klonopin.  why the difference?

Accepted Answer

Possible toxicity: In a hospital, where nurses are observing you and your symptoms, drugs can generally be given more safely than they might be in your own home. Klonopin is a long acting drug which takes a long time to get into your bloodstream/brain, while xanax (alprazolam) and Ativan get in more quickly (and get out quickly too). Use of Ativan or xanax (alprazolam) for "breakthrough" anxiety may be reasonable but may be more toxic to you.

Question 3

how do ativan and klonopin compare in as far as their effectiveness....how many hours does each work for?

Accepted Answer

Same family: These medications are in the same family but klonopin lasts longer and is often administered once or twice a day. Ativan  has a shorter duration of action and can be given 3 times daily. Also it starts working faster than klonopin. Klonopin is used to treat phobias,panic disorders and certain seizure disorders. Ativan seems to be used to treat anxiety mostly.

Question 4

i took my last 0.5mg klonopin at noon today. my dr is now prescribing me 1mg ativan instead. how long should i wait before taking the ativan?

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines: Both those drugs are Benzodiazepines.  They are scheduled drugs and can be addicting, so must be prescribed and monitored with caution.  The Doctor who prescribed them for you, would be the one best to tell you exactly when you should take them, especially after stopping the one, to Rx the other.  This is best, for your "continuity of care" and assures the prescribing Doctor is aware of your case.

Question 5

how can i substitute ativan to decrease klonopin (clonazepam) gradually ?

Accepted Answer

Why?: Makes sense to decrease any psychoactive med gradually, and possibly substitution with Ativan - titrating dosage carefully - might turn out to give the same or better effect as the klonopin (clonazepam). More important: why alter klonopin (clonazepam)?
Has it stopped working, are you taking too much? Review this carefully with the dr who prescribed it.

Question 6

how long should you wait to take klonopin (clonazepam) after taking ativan?

Accepted Answer

Switching meds: You can begin klonopin (clonazepam) the next day after discontinuing ativan.  The half life of ativan is about 12-15 hours.  
Please do not take both at the same time, of course.

Question 7

how does klonopin (clonazepam) differ from ativan in its intended effects, length of action, dosing frequency?

Accepted Answer

Both have similar: uses, anxiety, panic etc.  The ativan has a 14 hour half life and klonopin (clonazepam) 20-50 hour half life  both are used 2-3 times daily.   Ativan being shorter acting will tend to be more addictive but both drugs have a high addiction potential.

Question 8

i took .5 mg of klonopin (clonazepam) at 8am and it didn't seem to agree with me,  how long do i have to wait to go back to the 1 mg ativan?

Accepted Answer

4 to 6 hours: How did it "not agree" with you?  The clonazepam should be wearing off within 4 to 6 hours, at least enough that a previously well tolerated medication can be reintroduced.

Question 9

kinda nervous first day on ativan 6mg changed my klonopin (clonazepam) 2 mg i've been on for 3 years yesterday so far so good is a good drug for aniety/panicattks?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Kicks in in 1/2 to 1 hr lasts  3-4 hours you'll probably like it better than klonopin (clonazepam).

Question 10

which benzo is harsher on your liver--klonopin or ativan (lorazepam)?

Accepted Answer

Clonazepam: Benzodiazepines are rarely associated with elevated liver functions or clinically apparent liver injury and have not caused acute or chronic liver failure. However, there have been a few case reports about Clonazepam irritating the liver [none about Ativan] and therefore it would be considered slightly harsher.Their effect on the liver is  probably due to a rarely produced intermediate metabolite.

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Doctor answers about:

Klonopin vs ativan difference

A member asked:

Is there a difference between ativan and klonopin (clonazepam)?

A member asked:

At hospital, i was given klonopin daily and ativan as needed. my former psych wouldn't allow xanax (alprazolam) with klonopin. why the difference?

A member asked:

How do ativan and klonopin compare in as far as their effectiveness....how many hours does each work for?

A member asked:

I took my last 0.5mg klonopin at noon today. my dr is now prescribing me 1mg ativan instead. how long should i wait before taking the ativan?

A member asked:

How can i substitute ativan to decrease klonopin (clonazepam) gradually ?

A member asked:

How long should you wait to take klonopin (clonazepam) after taking ativan?

A member asked:

How does klonopin (clonazepam) differ from ativan in its intended effects, length of action, dosing frequency?

A member asked:

I took .5 mg of klonopin (clonazepam) at 8am and it didn't seem to agree with me, how long do i have to wait to go back to the 1 mg ativan?

A member asked:

Kinda nervous first day on ativan 6mg changed my klonopin (clonazepam) 2 mg i've been on for 3 years yesterday so far so good is a good drug for aniety/panicattks?

A member asked:

Which benzo is harsher on your liver--klonopin or ativan (lorazepam)?

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