Anti-anxiety drugs are prescription medicines that help to treat anxiety, depression, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and many more. Etizolam and Alprazolam are the most effective drugs that are used for treating panic attacks, insomnia, and depression symptoms of patients.
In this blog, we will compare Etizolam and Alprazolam medications, which are prescribed by a doctor. Also about their mechanism, dosage strengths, side effects, and precautions.
What is Etizolam?
Etizolam is an anti-anxiety drug that belongs to the class of benzodiazepine medicines. This is used for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia. It is an anxiety-reducing, sedating, anticonvulsant, and muscle-relaxing effect.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved Etizolam for use as a drug, and it cannot be sold or prescribed in the United States. This drug is a Schedule I substance in the US.
What is Alprazolam?
Alprazolam is a prescribed drug that is used to treat anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and anxiety caused due to depression.
Alprazolam is a generic variant and it is available as the brand-name drugs Xanax and Xanax XR.
Comparison of Both Drugs: Etizolam vs Alprazolam
Alprazolam and Etizolam Mechanism
Etizolam:-
After taking Etizolam medicine, typically it takes effect within 30 to 60 minutes. This drug is a sedative-hypnotic agent. It is a thienodiazepine that acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to enhance the effect of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It calms the brain, relaxes muscles, and helps to improve anxiety and panic symptoms.
Alprazolam:-
This medication belongs to the benzodiazepine category. Alprazolam drug works in the brain nerve cells to increase the action of a chemical messenger (GABA). It suppresses the abnormal and excessive activity. Alprazolam drugs take effect within 1 hour.
Dose & Dosage:
Forms & Strengths of Alprazolam Drug
Forms:- Immediate-release tablets or orally disintegrating tablets, Extended-release tablets, and Oral solution.
Strengths:- The strengths of IR tablets or orally disintegrating tablets are 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg are available in the market.
- Extended-release tablets are available in 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, and 3 mg strengths
- Oral solutions in strengths of 0.5 mg/5 mL and 1 mg/10 mL are available.
The brand name drug of this generic medication is also available in various dosage strengths as follows-
Dosages of Alprazolam Medications
IR Tablets, Disintegrating tablets, or oral solutions
For anxiety:
- Adults patients:- The starting dose of 0.25 to 0.5 mg 3 times per day. A doctor may increase the dose by 1 mg if required. 4 mg is the maximum dose per day.
- Older adults:- 2 or 3 times a day with a dose of 0.25 mg
For panic disorder:
Extended-release tablets:
- Adults Dosage:- The starting dose, 0.5 to 1 mg is recommended, dose should be taken in the morning once a day. 10 mg per day is the highest dose.
- Older adults:- A dose of 0.5 mg taken in the morning once a day.
- Oral solutions, Disintegrating tablets, or IR Tablets:
- Adult Dosage:- 0.5 mg 3 times a day. The doctor may increase the dose as needed depending on the health condition of the patient. 10 mg per day is the maximal dose.
- Older adults:- A dose of 0.25 mg 2 or 3 times a day.
- Child Dosage:- A doctor can determine uses and dose for the children.
Forms & Strengths of Etizolam Drug
Etizolam is available in tablets, blotter paper or as a powder form. Etizolam dose ranges from 0.5 mg to 4 mg.
Dosages of Etizolam Medication
A doctor can recommend the dosage strength according to the patient’s severity of the pain, age and other health conditions.
Uses of Etizolam and Alprazolam Drugs:
- Both drugs are used to treat short-term anxiety and panic disorders.
- Etizolam medication is also used to treat insomnia.
- Alprazolam is also used off-label for the treatment of depression.
Drug Interactions: Etizolam vs Alprazolam
Etizolam may interact with high blood pressure medicines like clonidine, moxonidine, lofexidine, fits-related drugs, such as phenytoin, clonazepam, antidepressants drugs like paroxetine, fluvoxamine, trazodone, opioid pain killers (bupropion, morphine, codeine).
Alprazolam interacts with the following drugs-
- Boceprevir
- Clarithromycin
- Nelfinavir
- Posaconazole
- Telithromycin
- Voriconazole
- Buspirone
Side Effects of Both Drugs:
There are some common and serious side effects of these two drugs, which may depend on person to person. They are as follows-
Common Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Watery stool (diarrhea)
- Headache
- Light-headed feeling
- Excess sweating
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Weakness
- Coordination problems
- Extreme sleepiness
Serious Side Effects
- Restlessness
- Confusion
- Breathing problem
- Depression
- Allergic reaction
- Hallucination
- Loss of memory (dementia)
Precautions of Alprazolam and Etizolam:
- Before taking these drugs, tell the doctor about the medical history.
- Always avoid alcohol while taking these medications
- Do not break or chew the tablet, swallow the whole at once.
- Never stop taking these medicines suddenly.
- Do not use these drugs simultaneously with other drugs.
- Consult with the doctor immediately, if side effects get worse.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Alprazolam and Etizolam drugs are effective in treating anxiety disorders. In this blog, we try to provide all possible information regarding Etizolam vs Alprazolam medications. If an individual finds any symptoms, it will be better to contact a health specialist as soon as possible
