Is lorazepam better than diazepam for anxiety?

[Blackkitty]

The doctor refused to prescribe diazepam for many years. I went into a mental health unit and was discharged some months ago but now I am being prescribed endless boxes of lorazepam. Is one better than the other?

This is an impossible question to answer, but one you are far better off clarifying with medical professionals who know you and your history MUCH better than randoms on a forum!

They are both benzodiazepines and work similarly, the main difference is that lorazepam lasts around 18 hours in the body, diazepam is longer lasting at around 48 hours. Otherwise they are generally similarly effective.

Individuals can have very different experiences of the same medication, including side effects and effectiveness of the drug. Whether it's 'better' or not often comes down to how the individuals body responds to the medication.

They are very similar drugs, both highly addictive, but diazepam is easier to taper off.

Your GP was right not to prescribe diazepam for anything more than a one off. Unfortunately secondary MH teams still give out benzos without any thought for the long term issue.

Do they help?

Yeah. I’ve never understood why folk say they’re addictive as that hasn’t been my experience. I don’t have to take it everyday. I just take it as required when I’m feeling anxious and it does take the edge off. Just didn’t understand why they prescribed one but not the other.

Lorazepam has a shorter half life so it is less likely to be habit forming. Of course it is still a benzo, one of the most addictive types of drugs still prescribed. Your GP was right not to prescribe you a long term dose of diazepam.