Lorazepam Vs Diazepam – Which One Is Stronger?
Benzodiazepines are the top-of-the-line recommendations when it comes to managing anxiety, stress or related issues. In the class of drug, you are mostly stuck in between Lorazepam and Diazepam. The two medicines come under different brand names and have similarities but distinct characteristics as well. The situation mostly raises a question of is lorazepam stronger than diazepam or vice versa? Well, here let’s find out the answers.
What Are Lorazepam and Diazepam?
Both Lorazepam and Diazepam belong to the class of medications called benzodiazepines. These drugs work by affecting the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. The neurotransmitter helps to calm the nervous system. Due to their sedative and calming nature, the drugs help to treat anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasms, and even seizures.
Lorazepam is often prescribed for short-term relief of anxiety and as a sleep aid. It has a relatively short half-life, which means it acts quickly but also leaves the system faster.
Diazepam is known for its longer half-life, which means it stays in the body longer. It is used for a variety of conditions, including anxiety, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal, and even seizure disorders.
Comparing Strength: Lorazepam vs. Diazepam
In deciding which one of these two is stronger, here we can compare these on some basic and essential parameters.
Potency
Lorazepam is generally considered more potent than Diazepam on a milligram-to-milligram comparison. By taking a smaller dose of Lorazepam, you can get the effects a larger dose of Diazepam offers. Keeping it short, we can say that 1mg Lorazepam is equivalent to 5mg of Diazepam.
Onset and Duration of Action
Since Lorazepam has a higher potency ratio, it has a better onset. You can have its peak effect within an hour, that stays for about 12 hours. One other hand Diazepam comes with an onset time of about 1-2 hours. But its half life is longer and it stays in the system for about 20-100 hours. Due to this extended duration Diazepam is prescribed to take for about 1-2 times a day.
Side Effects and Considerations
Both medications share common side effects. You can experience similar symptoms like drowsiness, dizziness, and potential dependence with long-term use. Lorazepam, due to its faster onset, might be more prone to causing sedation. On the other hand, Diazepam’s prolonged effects could lead to daytime drowsiness.
Final Verdict
Is lorazepam stronger than Diazepam? The conclusion is pretty clean but still inconclusive. Lorazepam is more potent than Diazepam, however it doesn’t make it an obvious choice for everyone. The medicines work differently in their own setup and offer significant results. Based on your condition and requirement you can buy these drugs. For a quick and short-term relief Lorazepam is a best option. However, to treat chronic conditions of stress, anxiety and insomnia, Diazepam takes the lead.
So, always buy these according to your conditions and requirements. You can buy Lorazepam online from Sleeping Tabs along with Diazepam. However, never take Lorazepam and diazepam together. Also check if Is Nefopam Like Diazepam?
FAQs
Can I take lorazepam and diazepam together?
No, it’s not recommended to take both the medicines together. Combining both can result in overdose leading to serious life threats.
Which medication has a longer duration of action?
Diazepam offers a longer duration of action which is more than 30 hours as compared to the Lorazepam 12 to 15 hours.
Can lorazepam and diazepam be used interchangeably?
It’s not ideal to use these medicines interchangeably due to differences in potency, duration of action, and individual patient responses.
Which medication is better for short-term anxiety relief?
With a shorter onset and half-life, Lorazepam is the perfect medicine to have short term and effective anxiety relief.