What Are the Differences Between Klonopin And Xanax

What Are Klonopin and Xanax Used For?

Xanax is a drug that is administered to treat panic disorders, anxiety disorders, and anxiety caused by depression. It belongs to a group called benzodiazepines which increase the production of the neurotransmitter GABA. This is known to reduce the activity in nerve cells. Thus, this helps the patient feel relaxed.

In the same way, Klonopin can also be used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Like Xanax, it is also a benzodiazepine thus acting the same way as the former. However, it has a more powerful anti-seizure effect, making it useful for such disorder.

Which Is More Addictive?

There is no straight answer to this because both Xanax and Klonopin are benzodiazepines. How either of the drugs will affect you depending on the dosage, a number of genetic factors, as well as frequency of use.

What is guaranteed is both are very addictive. After six months of continuous use of benzodiazepine, 50 percent have reported to have developed a dependence. Even with as short as 14 days, people can get addicted. (1)

What Are The Side Effects Of Each Of The Drugs?

As both drugs are benzodiazepine, they share side effects. What you may experience are not limited to the ones listed here.

Shared Side Effects

Side Effects of Xanax Alone (2)

Side Effects of Klonopin Alone (3)

Which Are The Withdrawal Symptoms Of Each Of The Drugs?

The withdrawal symptoms are more severe in Xanax than Klonopin. Since the former has a shorter half-life, it is not as constant in your body. The changing fluctuations of the drug in the body result in worse withdrawal symptoms.

Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms

Klonopin Withdrawal Symptoms

What Are Their Equivalent Dosages?

The benzodiazepine equivalency converter indicates that a 0.5 mg dose of Xanax is worth 0.5 mg of Klonopin. However, this may not be as accurate if you are not considered a normal, healthy adult.

If any of the factors listed below describes you, the converter can be inaccurate for you: (4)

Old age (Over 65)



Poor kidneys and/or liver function



Low basal metabolic rate



Overall physical health



Small body size (short height and/or low weight)

What Is The Price Difference Between The Two?

The generic versions of Xanax and Klonopin, Alprazolam and Clonazepam respectively, do not differ that much in price. Their prices were reviewed only at one website to assure fairness. (5)

The cheapest available of the former in the market is $7.24 for 60 0.5 mg capsules, with the latter only $9.92.

However, their prices shoot up to $287.89 and $162.78 for the branded versions. To conclude, the two drugs are virtually the same and the only real factor to be considered here is the price.

Whether it is Xanax or Klonopin, always remember to consult your doctor on which one suit you best. Never attempt to self-diagnose when it comes to these powerful drugs as it can cause you more harm than good.

Klonopin (clonazepam) vs. Xanax (alprazolam). (n.d.). Retrieved August 13, 2017, from http://www.medicinenet.com/klonopin_clonazepam_vs_xanax_alprazolam/article.htm

Xanax. (n.d.). Retrieved August 13, 2017, from https://www.drugs.com/xanax.html

Klonopin. (n.d.). Retrieved August 13, 2017, from https://www.drugs.com/klonopin.html