What are the differences between Xanax and Valium?

• Xanax (alprazolam) and Valium (diazepam) are benzodiazepines used to treat anxiety and panic attacks.
• A difference is that Valium is also used for the treatment of agitation, tremors, delirium, seizures, and hallucinations resulting from alcohol withdrawal. It is also used for the treatment of seizures, relief of muscle spasms in some neurological diseases, and for sedation during surgery.
• Side effects of Xanax and Valium that are similar include drowsiness, fatigue, and speech problems.
• Side effects of Xanax that are different from Valium include memory problems, constipation, and changes in weight.
• Side effects of Valium that are different from Xanax include diarrhea, rash, euphoria, loss of balance, muscle spasm, lack of sleep, rage, confusion, and double vision.
• Xanax and Valium may interact with alcohol, medications that can make you sleepy (for example, barbiturates, and narcotics), ketoconazole, itraconazole, cimetidine, fluvoxamine, carbamazepine, and rifampin.
• Xanax may also interact with nefazodone.
• Valium may also interact with cimetidine, omeprazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, darunavir, fluoxetine, and St. John’s wort.
• Xanax and Valium can lead to addiction (dependency), especially when higher dosages are used over prolonged periods of time. In patients addicted to diazepam or after prolonged use, abrupt discontinuation may cause symptoms of withdrawal such as insomnia, headaches, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, sweating, anxiety, and fatigue.

What are the side effects of Xanax and Valium?

Xanax

The most common side effects of Xanax taken at lower doses are:

Other side effects include:

Valium

The most common side effects of diazepam are:

Other important side effects include:

Possible serious side effects:

What is the dosage of Xanax vs. Valium?

Xanax

• The starting dose for treating anxiety is 0.25-0.5 mg 3 to 4 times daily using immediate release tablets. The dose may be increased every 3-4 days to a maximum dose of 4 mg daily.
• The starting dose for treating panic attacks is 0.5 mg 3 times daily. Doses can be increased every 3-4 days but by no more than 1 mg daily.
• The effective dose for preventing panic attacks may be as high as 10 mg daily for some patients. The starting dose when using extended release tablets to treat panic disorder is 0.5 mg once daily and the average dose is 3-6 mg once daily.
• Alprazolam may be taken with or without food.

Valium

• Diazepam may be taken with or without food.
• Diazepam is disposed of by the liver and excreted mainly by the kidney. Dosages of diazepam may need to be lowered in patients with abnormal kidney function.
• The usual oral diazepam dose for anxiety or seizures is 2-10 mg given 2-4 times daily.
• The usual rectal dose is 0.2-0.5 mg/kg and depends on the age of the patient.

Are Xanax and Valium addictive?

Xanax

Addiction is more likely to occur at high doses given over prolonged periods of time. Abrupt discontinuation of alprazolam after prolonged use can lead to symptoms of withdrawal such as:

Seizures can occur in more severe cases of withdrawal. Consequently, patients on alprazolam for extended periods of time should slowly taper the medication under a doctor’s supervision rather than abruptly stopping the medication.

Valium

Diazepam can lead to addiction (dependency), especially when higher dosages are used over prolonged periods of time. In patients addicted to diazepam or after prolonged use, abrupt discontinuation may cause symptoms of withdrawal such as:

Seizures can occur in more severe cases of withdrawal. Therefore, after extended use, diazepam should be slowly tapered under a doctor’s supervision rather than abruptly stopped.

What drugs interact with Xanax and Valium?

Xanax

Valium

Alcohol or medications that cause sedation may add to the sedative effects of diazepam. Patients taking benzodiazepines should avoid such combinations.

The following drugs may prolong the effects of diazepam by inhibiting liver enzymes that eliminate diazepam:

Dosages may need to be decreased when these drugs are used with diazepam.

Carbamazepine (Tegretol), rifampin (Rifadin), and St. John’s Wort decrease levels of diazepam by increasing the elimination of diazepam by liver enzymes.

Are Xanax and Valium safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Xanax

• Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, can cause fetal abnormalities and should not be used in pregnancy.
• Alprazolam is excreted in breast milk and can affect nursing infants. Therefore, it should not be used by women who are nursing.

Valium

• Benzodiazepines, including diazepam, can cause fetal abnormalities and should not be used during pregnancy.
• Diazepam is excreted in breast milk and can affect nursing infants. Therefore, diazepam should not be used by women who are nursing.