anyone know the diffence between xanax and Klonopin?

Good evening,

There are a large number of benzodiazepines available. There are major differences in potency between different benzodiazepines, so that equivalent doses vary as much as 20-fold. Benzodiazepines also differ markedly in the speed at which they are metabolised (in the liver) and eliminated from the body (in the urine).

Regardless of their potency, speed of elimination or duration of effects, the actions in the body are virtually the same for all benzodiazepines. ^{Reference: Professor C Heather Ashton DM, FRCP}

Choosing which med is the best for you should be agreed upon between you and your physician.  Take care and keep posting.

Kitt

The only medically researched method of tapering off benzodiazepines such as Xanax was done by Dr. Heather Ashton of England. For 12 years (1982-1994) she ran a benzodiazepine withdrawal clinic at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. Her work in the field of benzodiazepine (“benzos”) withdrawal syndrome resulted in what has become known as the Ashton Manual. It can be downloaded at http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/index.htm or purchased from http://www.benzo.org.uk/bzmono.htm#order

Dr. Ashton recommends changing the faster-acting benzos such as Xanax for an equivalent dose of Valium and using the Valium to get a smoother, more controlled taper. Chapter II of her manual outlines the equivalent strength of Xanax (1 mg. Xanax = 20 mg. Valium) as well as other commonly used benzos. Withdrawal schedules are also suggested for various doses of Xanax and several other benzos.

Another alternative for tapering off Xanax is known as Water Titration. It was developed for those who are unable to get their doctors to prescribe Valium or simply did not want to use Dr. Ashton’s crossover method. This method involves mixing one’s daily Xanax dose with a fixed amount of water. By gradually eliminating the amount of water, one can slowly reduce the daily amount of Xanax. Further information about Water Titration including PowerPoint demonstrations can be found at http://www.benzosupport.org/water_titration.htm An Excel spreadsheet has also been developed which can be downloaded and customized for individualized schedules/doses at http://www.benzosupport.org/Get%20schedule.htm

A support network is a key ingredient for successfully withdrawing from Xanax or any other benzo. One such group is the Yahoo Benzo group at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/benzo where one can receive support from the group’s moderators and members alike. The collective knowledge of the group is derived from years of aiding people who sought and obtained freedom from Xanax and other benzos. Membership is free and open to all who are seeking to become “benzo-free.”

keep looking for a doc that will listen and hear what your telling him 

Thanks for letting me share

Harper

KSgirl2008 and Harper,

Thank you for your posts and we are happy to have you. We have a thread for newbies to introduce themselves so it would be great to have you each share a bit about you.

Thanks again for your input.

Post Edited (stkitt) : 8/15/2008 7:29:01 PM (GMT-6)