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What Is the Difference between Lorazepam and Alprazolam?

S. Berger
S. Berger

Used to treat anxiety disorders and seizure conditions, lorazepam and alprazolam are both medications belonging to the benzodiazepine class, which all serve similar functions. Important differences between these two medications dictate when each one is used in the medical practice. Both of these drugs have different half-lives, speeds of onset, and side effects which can make them more appropriate for certain conditions and patients.

The half-life of a medication is the time required for half of it to be metabolized and eliminated from the body in the form of waste after it is ingested. Lorazepam and alprazolam have similar average half-lives, around 10 to 11 hours, but the half-lives vary for each medication. Alprazolam's half-life tends to remain about the same for most people, whereas lorazepam's half-life can be as long as 16 hours. After days of consecutive dosing, lorazepam tends to remain in the body longer, making it the more useful medication of the two for treating chronic, severe anxiety.

Both lorazepam and alprazolam are part of the benzodiazepine class of drugs and treat anxiety or seizure disorders.
Both lorazepam and alprazolam are part of the benzodiazepine class of drugs and treat anxiety or seizure disorders.

Both medications have relatively rapid onset times, which is the time required for a medication to exert its effects after it is taken. The onset for alprazolam is slightly faster, however, which is why it is usually the medication of choice for treating panic disorder outside of medical settings. This disorder is marked by sudden, unpredictable panic attacks that usually necessitate rapid treatment. Orally-disintegrating alprazolam tablets are available to alleviate panic attacks, which greatly increase the drug's onset time to provide fast-acting relief.

Patients who take lorazepam or alprazolam should not discontinue use without first consulting a physician.
Patients who take lorazepam or alprazolam should not discontinue use without first consulting a physician.

Most benzodiazepines have similar side effects, and lorazepam and alprazolam are no exception. They do have slight variations from one another that can factor into their use. Lorazepam seems to have less of a potential for psychological dependence, due in part to its longer onset time. Physically, both lorazepam and alprazolam can lead to dependence if taken for more than four weeks at a time, but alprazolam seems to be more likely to cause rebound anxiety and other withdrawal symptoms if long-term, high doses are stopped suddenly.

A generic anti-anxiety drug, lorazepam is also sold under the brand name Ativan.
A generic anti-anxiety drug, lorazepam is also sold under the brand name Ativan.

Water solubility, or how well each medication can dissolve in water, also varies between these two drugs. Alprazolam, like most benzodiazepines, is not soluble in water, and therefore cannot be administered intravenously (IV). Lorazepam can be dissolved in water, and as such, can be given to patients in a hospital setting via IV. Due to its potential IV use, lorazepam is the drug of choice for treating seizures and panic attacks in a hospital setting.

Discussion Comments

anon940873

To clarify: Lorazepam also isn't at all soluble in water. The IV preparations are dissolved in a mixture of polyethylene glycol 400, propylene glycol, and benzoyl alcohol as a preservative.

serenesurface

@turquoise-- I think alprazolam is more effective. It makes me relaxed and sleepy very quickly.

turquoise

@MikeMason-- All benzodiazepine group medications are effective. Depending on how long you use them, you will experience different degrees of addiction and withdrawal symptoms.

I've used both lorazepam and alprazolam in the past. In my opinion, there is little to no difference between them when it comes to effectiveness. The only difference is that lorazepam takes longer to take effect and stays longer in the system.

stoneMason

I took alprazolam for two years. It worked great for my anxiety but I got addicted to it. My doctor suggested that I switch to something milder since I feel much better. I reduced my dose slowly but started having terrible withdrawal effects. I hadn't realized until withdrawal how reliant I had become on this medication.

How is lorazepam when it comes to reliance and withdrawal? Is it just as addictive as alprazolam?

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    • Both lorazepam and alprazolam are part of the benzodiazepine class of drugs and treat anxiety or seizure disorders.
      By: goshiva
      Both lorazepam and alprazolam are part of the benzodiazepine class of drugs and treat anxiety or seizure disorders.
    • Patients who take lorazepam or alprazolam should not discontinue use without first consulting a physician.
      By: LoloStock
      Patients who take lorazepam or alprazolam should not discontinue use without first consulting a physician.
    • A generic anti-anxiety drug, lorazepam is also sold under the brand name Ativan.
      By: nadezhda1906
      A generic anti-anxiety drug, lorazepam is also sold under the brand name Ativan.
    • Alprazolam is often used to treat panic disorders marked by sudden, unpredictable panic attacks that occur outside of a medical setting.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Alprazolam is often used to treat panic disorders marked by sudden, unpredictable panic attacks that occur outside of a medical setting.
    • Alprazolam cannot be administered intravenously.
      By: Kadmy
      Alprazolam cannot be administered intravenously.
    • Alprazolam may be used to treat panic attacks.
      By: Syda Productions
      Alprazolam may be used to treat panic attacks.