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Choide of meds
Respected Doctors,
I have been recommended Clonazepam 1 mg and Etizolam 1 mg. Doctors are different, tried both the meds for a week. Clonazepam more effective for sleep but etizolam also good. Pls advice which one is better for sleep in the long run. Anxiety meds are ongoing i. E SSRI. Regards
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Hi,
It is important to understand the primary pathology and hence the exact requirement in your case with respect to sleep and anxiety.
Given that they are benzodiazepines, either of them will require a wise prescription. Prefer to continue treatment from a single doctor to avoid confusion and analysis.
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Etizolam is short acting compared to Clonazepam. So usually Clonazepam is preferred for sleep. Both are good options but most prefer Clonazepam, however both meds will have to tapered off and stopped within a couple weeks times.
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Hello,
Both Clonazepam and Etizolam are used for short-term management of anxiety and insomnia. While Clonazepam is a long-acting benzodiazepine with well-documented anxiolytic and hypnotic effects, Etizolam is a thienodiazepine (benzodiazepine analog) that acts more quickly and may wear off faster.
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1. Avoid long-term use of either medication without close psychiatric supervision.
2. Since you are already on an SSRI, prioritize non-benzodiazepine options (e.g., melatonin, trazodone for sleep if needed).
3. Discuss with your psychiatrist:
Using the lowest effective dose
A short-term tapering plan (if already on benzos for over 2–3 weeks)
Augmenting SSRIs with CBT for long-term anxiety control and sleep hygiene.
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Clonazepam has higher dependency potential with prolonged use.
Etizolam is not approved in many countries for long-term use due to limited safety data.
Use either medication only as a temporary aid- not a sleep solution.
Prioritize cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and sleep hygiene techniques for sustainable improvement.
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For what symptoms you have been prescribed those medicines? Why are you taking meds from both doctors? Better to stick to one psychiatrist. It's good that you are combining 2 benzodiazepines. What if you had prescribed 2 SSRIs with a full dose. You might have had serotonin syndrome which is life threatening. Please continue with either of them.
Both are good with anxiety. Etizolam doesn't make you sleep.
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Heyy
I can help you better with further treatment course needed. U can connect me via whatsapp on seven zero eight two zero two two zero six two.
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Both Clonazepam and etizolam are sedatives and makes you calm. Both are prescribed for shorter duration of time not for longer period. if you have anxiety problems, you need adequate treatment for it and once it is controlled, the other medication like Clonazepam will be stopped.
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please consult Psychiatrist online for further evaluation and treatment
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Dr. Rohit Tiwari
Psychiatrist
5 yrs exp
Ghaziabad
Both clonazepam and etizolam are prescribed along with ssri for short term management of anxiety and sleep issues and if possible both should be avoided for long-term use due to dependence potential.
Ideally, aim should be to taper off both as your SSRI becomes effective.
Following things can be done
A gradual taper off either medication
Alternatives for sleep and anxiety that are non-addictive
A review of your SSRI and timeline to effectiveness
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Talk with your psychiatrist regarding this.
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Dr. Sunil Nagar
General Physician
17 yrs exp
Rewa
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