Can you explain the differences between Xanax, Klonipin, and Ativan?

[Logan]

Why would one be prescribed for anxiety and not another?

[just me]

They are all prescribed for anxiety, they are basically the same type of pill & also do the same thing for a person. Some are better tolerated than others. I have taken all 3 at different times in my life. Personally I do not like Xanax, it made me more nervous as it wore off. I took ativan for years to sleep but kept having to up the dose because my body got too used to it. I take just one klonopin now at night & it does the trick & yes, I know I am addicted to it but feel comfortable at this time it's the right thing for me. Rarely I will take a 1/2 one during the day, maybe twice a month when I get too up tight but get sleepy from it. But I do like it the best of all 3.

[gardensallday]

They are all anti-anxiety agents. They are in a class of medications known as benzodiazepines. If there is one of them not approved for anxiety, I'm surprised. Then that would mean the drug company didn't want to spend money getting it approved for that use. Docs can still prescribe it "off-label."

I believe xanax is the most addictive.

All my looking into this says benzos are BAD news, and only work for a couple weeks, then you are hooked and only BELIEVE they are helping. But if you quit, you get rebound anxiety and insomnia, and falsly believe the pills were still helping you. Medicare's drug benefit will not cover benzos, probably for that reason.

PS patients will swear up and down the pills are helping, but research shows otherwise! People BELIEVE they are helping, but the pills aren't!