Can lorazepam (Ativan) be substituted with alprazolam (Xanax)?

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From the Research

Comparison of Lorazepam and Alprazolam

  • Both lorazepam and alprazolam have been shown to be effective in the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders 1, 2, 3, 4.
  • Studies have demonstrated that lorazepam and alprazolam have similar efficacy in reducing panic attacks and phobic behavior 1, 4.
  • In terms of side effects, both drugs have been found to be well-tolerated, with drowsiness and lightheadedness being the most frequent side effects 2, 3.
  • The doses required to achieve response were approximately double those required for the treatment of generalized anxiety 4.

Efficacy and Safety

  • A double-blind study found that alprazolam and lorazepam appeared to be equally safe and effective in relieving anxiety symptoms 3.
  • Another study found that lorazepam appeared to be as effective as alprazolam in the acute treatment of panic disorder 1.
  • The clinical efficacy and safety of alprazolam was compared to lorazepam in a double blind randomized design, and the results showed that the two drugs produce similar efficacious effects 2.

Psychomotor Functions

  • A study investigated the effect of single oral doses of lorazepam and alprazolam on reaction times in young healthy volunteers, and found that lorazepam significantly prolonged the reaction times, while alprazolam did not 5.
  • The introduction of a warning signal improved performance in all conditions, and this improvement was more pronounced after lorazepam than after placebo 5.

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This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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