Xanax or Valium

Worldwide, many people have been suffering from anxiety.

Anxiety highly affects our daily performance at home, work, and school.

Treating anxiety involves therapy with antidepressant drugs.

Benzodiazepines are a class of medications highly recommended for treating anxiety.

Two famous benzodiazepines are Xanax and Valium.

But, which is more effective for treating anxiety, Xanax or Valium?

Xanax and Valium are brand names for two different drugs, but both of them are considered minor tranquillizers.

Similarities between Xanax and Valium:

• Both drugs are benzodiazepines that are used to treat anxiety, like all benzodiazepines; they promote the action of neurotransmitters in the brain that leads to muscle relaxation, reduces anxiety, and cause drowsiness.
• Both are equally effective for this purpose.
• Both have nearly the same onset of action (starts to work within half to an hour), although Valium may be slightly faster.
• The effect of both lasts for about 5 hours.

Main differences between Xanax (alprazolam) and Valium (diazepam):

• The onset of action:

Xanax is slower to take an effect (intermediate onset)it takes about 15 to 30 minutes to start working, while Valium takes effect quickly (rapid onset), the effect arises after about 15 minutes.

 

• Duration of action:

Xanax stays active for a shorter period, while Valium stays active for longer periods.

 

• Uses:

Xanax is approved for treating severe anxiety and panic disorder, while Valium is not approved for panic disorder but is used for less severe anxiety, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, muscle spasms, seizures, and hallucinations.

 

• Children use:

Safety is not established for using Xanax in children, while Valium is approved for use for children above 6 months.

 

• Dependency:

Both drugs can cause dependency if used for more than 4 weeks without a doctor’s supervision.

Dosage of Xanax:

1. For treating anxiety:

A dose of 0.25-0.5 mg 3-4 times daily is recommended.

This dose may be increased every 3 to 4 days.

You should not exceed 4 mg daily.

2. For treating panic attacks:

A dose of 0.5 mg 3 times daily is recommended.

This dose can be increased every 3-4 days but you should not exceed 1 mg daily.

Xanax may be taken with or without food.

Dosage of Valium:

The usual dose of Valium in adults to treat anxiety or seizures is 2-10 mg given 2-4 times daily.

This dose should be lowered in patients with abnormal kidney function or hepatic impairment because the drug is eliminated by the liver and excreted mainly by the kidney.

This dose is also monitored in the case of elderly patients.

Valium is taken with or without food.

Since Xanax and Valium belong to the same class of drugs, they show the same interactions with certain drugs such as:

• Other benzodiazepines and sedatives such as sleeping pills (hypnotics) and drugs for anxiety.
• Strong pain killers (opioids) such as codeine, tramadol, and hydrocodone.
• Antidepressants and antipsychotics.
• Antiseizure medications (anticonvulsants).
• Muscle relaxants.
• Antifungal drugs as ketoconazole and itraconazole.
• Some antibiotics as erythromycin and clarithromycin.

You should not take Xanax or Valium if you have:

• A history of allergic reactions to one or either drug.
• A history of drug dependence.
• A history of alcohol addiction.
• Acute angle-closure glaucoma.
• Myasthenia gravis (weakness and rapid fatigue of muscles due to miscommunication between nerves and muscles).
• Sleep apnoea (a sleeping disorder that causes repetitive stops of breathing during sleep).
• Severe respiratory insufficiency or lung diseases.
• Severe liver failure.
• Severe kidney failure.

Common side effects:

• Dry mouth.
• Appetite changes.
• Yellow skin or eyes.
• Sex drive changes.
• Difficulty urinating.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Serious skin rash.
• Impaired memory.
• Speech problems.
• taxia (loss of balance).
• Double vision.

Dependence and withdrawal of Xanax or Valium:

You will become dependent on these drugs after few weeks of administration.

The longer the period you use the drug, the more you are exposed to the risk of dependence.

Taking Xanax or Valium regularly for long periods may cause severe withdrawal symptoms especially when these medications are stopped suddenly.

These symptoms may be physical or mental such as:

• Stomach cramps.
• Sleeping problems (insomnia).
• Increased feeling of anxiety.

Talk to your doctor if you feel any serious symptoms; seek the doctor’s help to stop these drugs slowly and through long periods to avoid exposure to withdrawal symptoms.

Pregnancy and lactation:

Using Xanax or Valium during pregnancy is contraindicated.

They may cause fetal abnormalities after birth.

Both drugs are found to be excreted in breast milk so they should not be used by a nursing woman.

Which is more effective, Xanax or Valium?

Studies have shown that Valium is slightly more effective at managing anxiety.

When choosing the drug, take into consideration that Valium has a long half-life, so it will take a longer time to be eliminated from the body.

Only a healthcare provider could help you in choosing the most suitable drug for you according to your case, age, previous treatment, and history of addiction or sensitivity to similar drugs.