Difference Between Alprazolam and Lorazepam

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental disorders in the world of psychiatry.  To help assist patients with these conditions, drugs and medications are prescribed to be taken at certain intervals.  The Alprazolam and Lorazepam are medications that both belong to the benzodiazepine family.  However, certain differences are noted between these two drugs.  For one thing, the Alprazolam is sold in the market as Xanax, or Niravam.  Meanwhile, the Lorazepam is better known as Ativan.  Generally, this drug is more quickly removed from the blood system of the patient unlike the Alprazolam, which takes some time to be excreted from the body.  Thus, it ensures that any conditions that lead to toxicity is removed from inside.

Medically, these drugs may come in various appearances or pills.  The Lorazepam comes in two main forms such as the tablet, and the concentrated or liquid forms.  The Alprazolam, on the other hand, comes in four various outlets, namely, these are the tablet forms, the extended-release tablet, the orally disintegrating tablet and the concentrated solution.  The intake of such medications like the Lorazepam are not only for anxiety disorders.  This pill can be used for treating irritable bowel syndromes, epilepsy, insomnia and vomiting because of cancer treatments.  The Alprazolam, on the hand, is used to treat illnesses such as phobias of open spaces and premenstrual syndromes.

When you are taking the medications, you need to be aware of the pre-requisites before taking it.  The Alprazolam, for example, can be an intake with or without eating food beforehand.  Additionally, this drug is to be taken at .25 milligrams to .50 milligrams three times a day when you are using the immediate release tablets.  In three days’ times, the drugs total dosage may be increased to 4 mg per day.  The Lorazepam, meanwhile, must be taken according to the needs of the patients.  In some cases, the patients� daily intake is measured at a maximum of only 3 mg that is distributed evenly all throughout the day.

If you are taking the medications daily, it is essential that you take proper care of yourself, especially if you are a lactating mother.  It may not be scientifically proven yet, but Lorazepam seems to be not secreted in breast milk unlike Alprazolam.  Nevertheless, if you are breastfeeding, it would be wise to either stop the medication or to stop the breastfeeding.  Treating anxiety disorders is a way to help people deal with these conditions and live normally.  Eventually, if you are able to take the right kind of medications, you need to be aware of which medicine will help you better.

Summary:

1.Alprazolam is sold in the market as Xanax while Lorazepam is sold as Ativan.
2.Lorazepam is more quickly removed from the human body unlike Alprazolam.
3.Lorazepam comes in only two forms while Alprazolam comes in four varied ways.