Compare Ativan vs. Hetlioz
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Helps you relax.
Ativan (lorazepam) is an effective medicine for occasional or short-term anxiety. It's less likely to have drug interactions, but more likely to cause withdrawal symptoms compared to similar drugs.
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3.8/ 5 average rating with 642 reviewsforAtivan
Keeps the sleep cycle normal for completely blind people who aren't able to see light.
Hetlioz (tasimelteon) is the only approved medicine to help completely blind people who are unable to see light maintain regular sleep cycles. It is only available as a brand name, so it can be expensive.
Upsides
- Effective at relieving short-term anxiety.
- Can be used together with antidepressants to manage anxiety disorders. Especially helpful for anxiety symptoms while you wait for an antidepressant to kick in.
- Less likely to have drug interactions compared to other drugs like it, so it might be a better option if you're taking multiple medications.
- Hetlioz (tasimelteon) is not addictive.
- Hetlioz (tasimelteon) is the only drug that's approved to help people unable to see light to have regular sleep cycles.
- If you have to stop taking Hetlioz (tasimelteon) suddenly, you're not likely to have withdrawal.
Downsides
- Can cause memory problems, drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion.
- Can be habit-forming, so it's not typically used for long-term treatment or for people who've had problems with drug or alcohol abuse.
- Compared to other similar medicines, Ativan (lorazepam) is more likely to cause withdrawal if you take it for a long time and then suddenly stop.
- Most people find that Ativan (lorazepam) gets less effective over time.
- Hetlioz (tasimelteon) can take weeks to months for you to notice any effect.
- Hetlioz (tasimelteon) is only available as a brand name so it can be expensive.
Used for
- Non-24 hour sleep-wake cycle
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Liquid
- Injection
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$9.10
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Reviews
642 reviews so far
71%
saidit'sworth it
51%
saiditworked well
15%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Ativan (lorazepam)?
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Side effects
4possible side effects
- Sleepiness16%
- Dizziness7%
- Weakness4%
- Unsteadiness3%
5possible side effects
- Headache17%
- Abnormal liver tests10%
- Nightmares or abnormal dreams10%
- Common cold or flu7%
- Urinary tract infection7%
Risks and risk factors
- Severe sedation with opioid use
- Taking with opioids
- Tolerance and dependence
- Taking more than the prescribed dose
- Taking Ativan (lorazepam) for longer than 4 weeks
- History of drug abuse
- Withdrawal
- Long-term use
- Driving impairment
- Alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Memory problems
- Sleepiness