Valium vs Clonazepam: Which Benzodiazepine Works Best For Anxiety?
With an increase in the cases of mental disorders, the demand for benzodiazepines has also risen significantly. These have been used for the treatment of various issues like anxiety, sudden panic attacks, and many more by boosting calmness in the body. Several types of drugs are available in the groups, and all have a similar mechanism of action. This also creates confusion while choosing the exact one according to our condition. To solve this issue, we will discuss Valium vs Clonazepam in this blog, which will give you insights into how they both differ and which one to choose from.
Distinguish Valium vs Clonazepam: Doses, Efficiency, & Interaction
Valium
Valium is the brand name for the drug Diazepam. This enhances the activity of neurotransmitters, hence promoting calmness and relaxation. Valium is highly vulnerable to causing addiction by making individuals dependent. This is the reason why it comes under the category of Schedule IV substances. You must avoid Valium if you are suffering from conditions like:
- Breathing issues
- Sleep apnea
- Glaucoma
- Liver disease
Clonazepam
This is sold under the brand name for Klonopin and also belongs to the group of Benzodiazepine medications. Its working mechanism is very similar to that of other drugs present in the same family. Clonazepam is used to treat various diseases like anxiety, seizures, and panic disorder. This drug belongs to the category of Schedule IV substances and hence must be used carefully to avoid getting addicted. This drug must be avoided by individuals with issues in their liver, lungs, and eyes.
What’s The Difference Between Valium and Clonazepam?
Since there are various properties similar to both drugs, you might wonder is valium and clonazepam the same? Any individual might confuse the drug to be similar ones until they see all the properties. We will be discussing all of them and see for ourselves how and why they differ.
Doses Of Valium vs Clonazepam
The doses of every drug must start from a small amount and be increased if necessary. This is to ensure that the body gets proper time to adjust and feel comfortable. Let’s see the average doses of Valium and Clonazepam.
Valium Doses
- The initial doses of Valium for anxiety and seizures are 2-10 mg per day, which must be taken two to four times.
Clonazepam Doses
- The initial dose for a seizure is 1.5 mg orally, which must be divided into three doses.
- For panic disorder, the initial dose is 0.25 mg orally for two times a day.
- The pediatric dose for seizures is 0.01 mg/kg/day, which is to be given to children up to age 10 years.
Valium vs Clonazepam For Anxiety
Valium and Clonazepam are both effective drugs for the treatment of anxiety. It can be dangerous to take both drugs at once, so you must choose drugs based on your condition to avoid harming yourself. If you have a good tolerance level and want treatment that would be effective for a longer duration, then Clonazepam would be a better option. But if you want immediate relief, then opt for Valium, which has a faster action speed due to its faster onset.
Valium vs Clonazepam For Sleep
Neither Valium nor Clonazepam is for improving sleep quality. But in certain cases, the doctor might prescribe them off-label because of their properties. Both of them help calm our body and mind, which helps our body relax, and hence improves our sleep quality. If you have been suffering severely from insomnia, then you can go with valium, which can provide you with instant relief. But if you are looking for a source for a longer duration, then Clonazepam would be a better option in comparison.
Which Is Stronger, Valium or Clonazepam?
If we compare Valium and Clonazepam according to their potency, then we can see that Clonazepam is more potent as compared to Valium. In several cases, a little dose of Clonazepam does wonders compared to high doses of Valium. This property of both drugs makes them effective for different conditions.
Now, let’s look into various other differences in brief.
| Factors | Valium | Clonazepam |
| Formulations | Tablet, oral solution, injectable solution, gel, nasal spray | Tablet, solution, injection |
| Onset | 15 to 60 minutes | 20 to 60 minutes |
| Half-life | 48 hours | 19 to 60 hours |
| Potency | Low compared to Clonazepam | High |
| Addiction Risks | High | Low in comparison |
| Cost | Low | Comparatively higher |
Drug Interactions
There are certain drugs that, if taken together with Valium or Clonazepam, can cause a severe reaction, which is termed a drug interaction. Let’s see the drugs that we must avoid combining with Valium and Clonazepam.
Valium Interaction
Drug Interaction of Clonazepam
- Abilify
- Ambien
- Benadryl
- Cymbalta
- Flexeril
- Lexapro
- Lyrica
- Norco
- Prozac
- Xanax
Can You Take Valium And Clonazepam Together?
Mixing Valium and Clonazepam together is never recommended. This is because a Valium and Clonazepam interaction would result in serious benzodiazepine overdosing, which might cause heavy sedation. There are also several other health risks associated with the combination. Such as:
- Breathing issues
- Diziness
- Confusion
- Overdosing
- Coma
Side Effects
Like every other drug, individuals taking either Valium or Clonazepam have to undergo certain side effects. These can be an indication that the drug is starting to show its effect on the condition. The effects are:
- Drowsiness
- Diziness
- Confusion
- Dependency
- Memory issues
- Muscle pain
- Depression
Alternatives
Several alternative options are available for individuals who face difficulty taking either Valium or Xanax. They can be equally effective and even provide better relief. Let’s see those alternative options.
Alternatives to Valium
- Clonazepam
- Lorazepam
- Alprazolam
- Buspirone
- Hydroxyzine
- Triazolam
- Fluoxetine
- Oxazepam
- Chlordiazepoxide
- Escitalopram
Clonazepam’s alternative
- Xanax
- Valium
- Fluoxetine
- Buspirone
- Gabapentin
- Pregabalin
- Paxil
Conclusion
So, at the end, we hope to have given you enough information to boost your idea about the difference between Valium and Clonazepam. The information gained can be helpful for you the next time you get confused before selecting. The most important thing you must follow is to take advice from your doctor before taking any steps to avoid mistakes. Follow their advice and stick to your routine to recover faster and smoothly.