Clonazepam vs. Lorazepam: What Is the Difference?

Benzodiazepines, or “benzos” for short, are a class of drugs usually prescribed to treat seizures, anxiety disorders, and panic attacks. Among the many different types of benzos, clonazepam and lorazepam are the most common prescription drugs that offer sedation and relaxation, but they are known to be highly addictive. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, then Coalition Recovery’s dual diagnosis treatment program may be a good fit as it focuses both on the substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health issues.

A quality rehab center can help you or your loved one recover from addiction. It’s important to slowly wean off of benzos with medical care and supervision. Then, you can learn effective coping mechanisms to deal with triggers. To learn more about our personalized benzodiazepine addiction treatment options, contact us at 888.707.2873.

Clonazepam vs. Lorazepam: The Main Differences

Clonazepam and lorazepam both act as central nervous system (CNS) depressants by calming the excessive activity of the brain. They belong to a class of psychoactive drugs called benzodiazepines.

The main differences between clonazepam and lorazepam include:

• Clonazepam is usually prescribed to treat seizures and epilepsies, while lorazepam is used to treat anxiety disorders. The former helps to reduce the frequency of seizures, while the latter is usually used for sedation and anxiety relief.
• Structurally, clonazepam has a nitro group while lorazepam has a chloride group.
• Clonazepam is usually taken as an oral tablet, while lorazepam is available both as oral tablets and injections.
• Clonazepam has a half-life of 40 hours, while lorazepam has a half-life of 25 hours.
• Clonazepam is a long-acting benzodiazepine, while lorazepam is an intermediate-acting benzo.
• The body develops a faster tolerance to lorazepam than to clonazepam, although both have similar potential for misuse.
• Clonazepam is usually sold under the brand name Klonopin, while lorazepam is sold as Ativan.

Thus, despite having similar effects and properties, the two drugs are used to treat very different medical disorders. Their dosages must be carefully monitored to minimize the chances of chemical dependence and addiction.

Types of Benzos and How They Work

There are several types of benzos prescribed for different conditions, but they all act in a similar way. The most common ones include:

• Clonazepam (Klonopin)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Diazepam (Valium)
• Alprazolam (Xanax)

As depressants, they act on specific brain receptors called gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA-A) receptors, producing a calming effect. As such, they are prescribed in a variety of medical conditions to control muscle spasms and promote anxiety relief, including the following:

• Alcohol withdrawal
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Mood disorders
• Seizures
• Panic attacks
• Anesthesia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle spasms
• Sedation

As they are extremely effective, they are only prescribed by licensed physicians for short-term use. If misused or taken in combination with other substances like alcohol, it may result in a fatal overdose, painful withdrawal symptoms, and other negative side effects.
In cases of dependence and addiction, seek out a benzodiazepine addiction treatment program near you.

Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment at Coalition Recovery

For the last six years, Coalition Recovery has been helping countless individuals recover from their addictions and go on to live happier and healthier lives.

We offer customizable addiction treatment programs that utilize the best of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and evidence-based therapies (EBT) alongside other holistic practices. With a focus on trauma therapy and comprehensive aftercare planning, we ensure that every client receives intensive care, support, and attention from our experienced staff to guarantee a full recovery. Instead of treating just the symptoms of addiction, we uncover the root causes of it and address all co-occurring health conditions to minimize the chances of a relapse and maximize the recovery process.

Call us at 888.707.2873 and begin your recovery journey today.