to me they are two different drugs with two different effects. in my opinion,valium(diazepam) is a very good med for mildly keeping your anxiety at bay for longer periods of timeit has a VERY LONG half life. It's been recommended against before, but I recommend it. Why? Because cola affects both norepinephrine and dopamine. Benzos reduce the norepinephrine effects. Benzodiazepine Abuse Overview. Benzodiazepines are a type of medication known as tranquilizers. Familiar names include Valium and Xanax. They are some of the most commonly prescribed medications. Doctors give trusted answers on uses, effects, side-effects, and cautions: Dr. Pappas on valium vs lorazepam: Klonopin (clonazepam) is longer acting but takes just slightly longer to start working. Ativan works quicker but clears from your system quicker then Klonopin (clonazepam) although it can stay in your system for a while. It takes a professional knowledge and experience to properly determine how to taper off Xanax and other benzodiazepines of its kind. I think it depends on your level of anxiety. I take two medications, one is quick acting - klonopin (there is a generic) and one is for long term effects and addresses GAD as well as Social Anxiety Disorder and the underlying Depression that accompanies anxieties, Effexor. Of course you will dependent on valium or Xanax. To be dependent on a drug is not a bad thing. It is because they work! So don't feed this crap about dependence when you will be dependent on these drugs because they help your situation. We’ve heard plenty about the opioid epidemic. But there’s another less recognized prescription drug problem: benzodiazepines like Ativan, Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin. Alprazolam (Xanax, Xanax XR, Niravam) is an anti-anxiety drug that belongs to the benzodiazepine class. Common side effects are fatigue, constipation, changes in weight, and addiction (dependency). Withdrawal symptoms are headaches, anxiety, and nausea and vomiting. Beating cancer takes more than medicine. That’s why we do much more than breakthrough research. We also o er free rides to chemo, a live 24/7 helpline, and free lodging near hospitals for people dealing with every type of cancer. We’re attacking from every angle.