Question 1

my doctor is switching me from 4mg ativan to 2mg xanax (alprazolam). i am down to 1mg ativan so can i just switch to the xanax (alprazolam) without anymore tapering?

Accepted Answer

Both: of them are benzodiazepines so there is no need to taper.  Just switch

Question 2

how can i get my dr. to switch me from ativan to xanax (alprazolam)?

Accepted Answer

You are asking the: wrong doctor this question, because I am on the other side of that argument.  I think we would all be better off if this drug were not on the market. Xanax (alprazolam) is rapidly absorbed and rapidly excreted, which creates a far more abuse-prone drug than Lorazepam (ativan). If it is very occasional panic attacks or anxiety, and you take it rarely, it's fine.For chronic use, Ativan or Klonopin are better.

Question 3

i have been taking 1.5 mg of xanax (alprazolam) a day in one dose. is taking 2mgof ativan (trying to switch meds) ok instead of xanax (alprazolam)?

Accepted Answer

May be better: Ativan is slightly longer half life than Xanax (alprazolam) and should be smoother acting however Tranxene is a better choice and is longer acting and less addictive.

Question 4

taking xanax (alprazolam) 0.5mg at night (10years), md wants to change to ativan 1mg. tried to just switch but felt weird. should i taper dose of both to switch?

Accepted Answer

Xanax (alprazolam) to ativan: Not sure why your doc. Is switching or how long u have been on xanax (alprazolam). Not unusual to have such symptoms when switch from long acting to short acting anxiety med. Best to talk to your prescribing doc.

Question 5

constant nausea. take 0.5mg xanax (alprazolam) at night only for 10 years for tmj. could the xanax (alprazolam) be causing my unexplained nausea? should i switch to ativan?

Accepted Answer

Good question: The xanax (alprazolam) should not cause nausea, but anxiety, pain, and medical problems can.  Please see your primary care doctor for an evaluation.  Hope this helps.

Question 6

can i safely use ambien for sleep, then xanax (alprazolam) during the day for anxiety?  can i safely switch between  xanax (alprazolam) or ativan if i find one works better?

Accepted Answer

Your question sounds: like there may not be a prescribing physician involved with this, or at least you don't say anything about the advice of that physician. Benzodiazepines are not necessarily the best treatment for chronic anxiety states like generalized anxiety disorder, panic and especially not PTSD. Antidepressants work without producing tolerance and with much less of a risk of dependency. Talk to the prescriber

Question 7

can i just switch from 0.5mg of xanax (alprazolam) to 1mg ativan without any problems? been on xanax (alprazolam) at hs for a long time. md thinks i need something longer act.

Accepted Answer

Benzos: The half life of oral Ativan is 8-24 hours; that of xanax (alprazolam) is 6-27 hours.  If your doctor wants a longer acting benzo, Clonazepam half life is 19-60 hours.   Might want to discuss this with your doctor.

Question 8

is it possible to get high on ativan or xanax (alprazolam)?

Accepted Answer

Likely: You can get a feeling of euphoria from these medications. These medications can also cause altered mental status and delirium depending on dose, metabolism, height, weight, age, etc.

Question 9

which drug stays in your system longer, ativan or xanax (alprazolam)?

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines & UA: They are literally the same chemicals. If you need to pass a ua they may be in the system up to six weeks.  Benzodiazepines stay around a very long time.

Question 10

can you overdose from .5 mg xanax (alprazolam) taken with 1 mg ativan?

Accepted Answer

BE CAREFUL!: It is not a good idea to mix benzos . Please talk to your dr.!

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Doctor answers about:

Switching from ativan to xanax

A member asked:

My doctor is switching me from 4mg ativan to 2mg xanax (alprazolam). i am down to 1mg ativan so can i just switch to the xanax (alprazolam) without anymore tapering?

A member asked:

How can i get my dr. to switch me from ativan to xanax (alprazolam)?

A member asked:

I have been taking 1.5 mg of xanax (alprazolam) a day in one dose. is taking 2mgof ativan (trying to switch meds) ok instead of xanax (alprazolam)?

A member asked:

Taking xanax (alprazolam) 0.5mg at night (10years), md wants to change to ativan 1mg. tried to just switch but felt weird. should i taper dose of both to switch?

A member asked:

Constant nausea. take 0.5mg xanax (alprazolam) at night only for 10 years for tmj. could the xanax (alprazolam) be causing my unexplained nausea? should i switch to ativan?

A member asked:

Can i safely use ambien for sleep, then xanax (alprazolam) during the day for anxiety? can i safely switch between xanax (alprazolam) or ativan if i find one works better?

A member asked:

Can i just switch from 0.5mg of xanax (alprazolam) to 1mg ativan without any problems? been on xanax (alprazolam) at hs for a long time. md thinks i need something longer act.

A member asked:

Is it possible to get high on ativan or xanax (alprazolam)?

A member asked:

Which drug stays in your system longer, ativan or xanax (alprazolam)?

A member asked:

Can you overdose from .5 mg xanax (alprazolam) taken with 1 mg ativan?

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