Compare Ativan vs. Sonata
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.
●●●●●
3.8/ 5 average rating with 642 reviewsforAtivan
Helps you sleep.
Sonata (Zaleplon) helps you fall asleep, but it's not as good for staying asleep. It also interacts with a lot of diseases and other drugs.
●●●●●
2.9/ 5 average rating with 175 reviewsforSonata
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.
- Effective at helping people fall asleep faster.
- Doesn't last as long in the body as some other sleep medicines, so it's okay to take it in the middle of the night as long as you enough time to sleep. (But be sure to discuss it with your doctor first.)
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.
- Not typically used for long-term treatment since it can be habit-forming.
- Doesn't last as long in the body as other sleep medicines, so it's not as good at helping you stay asleep.
- Interacts badly with many other medications.
- Not a good option if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
- People have sleep-walked, sleep-driven, and sleep-eaten while on Sonata (Zaleplon).
- Might not be safe if you have problems with your liver, kidneys, lungs, or if you have a history of depression.
- It's easy to become reliant on sleep medicines. In the long run, it's better to learn good sleeping habits and behaviors so you can sleep better naturally.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Liquid
- Injection
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$6.91
Find instant savings near youLowest price
$11.49
Find instant savings near youWant to save even more money?
Sign up now for a 30-day trial and save up to 95% at CVS, Kroger, Albertsons, and other pharmacies.
Learn more
Reviews
642 reviews so far
71%
saidit'sworth it
51%
saiditworked well
15%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Ativan (lorazepam)?
Leave a review175 reviews so far
42%
saidit'sworth it
23%
saiditworked well
27%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Sonata (Zaleplon)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
4possible side effects
- Sleepiness16%
- Dizziness7%
- Weakness4%
- Unsteadiness3%
18possible side effects
- Headache42%
- Dizziness9%
- Nausea8%
- Asthenia7%
- Abdominal Pain6%
- Somnolence6%
- Amnesia4%
- Dysmenorrhea4%
- Paresthesia3%
- Eye pain3%
- Malaise2%
- Anorexia2%
- Depersonalization2%
- Hypesthesia2%
- Tremor2%
- Abnormal Vision2%
- Hyperacusis2%
- Parosmia2%
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
- Dependence and withdrawal
- Continuous use for 2 weeks or more
- Driving impairment
- Alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Less than 7 hours of sleep
- Abnormal thoughts
- Undiagnosed psychiatric conditions
- Sleep driving
- Taking with alcohol or drugs
- Serious allergic reactions
- Risk to fetus
- Women of childbearing age
- Breast-feeding