{"id":11216,"date":"2020-05-05T09:48:12","date_gmt":"2020-05-05T13:48:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=11216"},"modified":"2026-01-28T13:51:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T18:51:43","slug":"klonopin-vs-valium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/klonopin-vs-valium\/","title":{"rendered":"Klonopin vs. Valium: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you experience <\/span>anxiety<\/span><\/a> or other mental health conditions, you are not alone. According to the <\/span>National Alliance on Mental Illness<\/span><\/a>, anxiety affects 40 million adults in the United States\u2014that\u2019s 19% of the population.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Klonopin<\/span><\/a> (clonazepam) and <\/span>Valium<\/span><\/a> (diazepam) are two medications from the benzodiazepine class of drugs. They are used in the treatment of anxiety and other conditions. Both prescription drugs are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Benzodiazepines work in the central nervous system (CNS) by increasing the activity of the <\/span>neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). By doing so, the medication slows down the brain and nervous system, resulting in a relaxing and calming effect, and can help aid sleep when taken at bedtime. Because benzodiazepines (sometimes referred to as benzos) have the potential for substance abuse or dependence, they are classified by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) as <\/span>Schedule IV controlled substances.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Main differences between Klonopin and Valium<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
<\/td>\nKlonopin<\/b><\/td>\nValium<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/span><\/td>\nBenzodiazepine<\/span><\/td>\nBenzodiazepine<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/span><\/td>\nBrand and generic versions available\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nBrand and generic versions available\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the generic name?<\/span><\/td>\nClonazepam<\/span><\/td>\nDiazepam\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/span><\/td>\nOral tablet<\/span><\/p>\n

Orally disintegrating tablet<\/span><\/td>\n

Oral tablet<\/span><\/p>\n

Injection<\/span><\/p>\n

Oral solution (liquid)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rectal gel (Diastat AcuDial)<\/span><\/p>\n

Nasal spray (Valtoco)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

What is the standard dosage?<\/span><\/td>\nVaries; a common dose of Klonopin is 1 mg by mouth twice a day<\/span><\/td>\nVaries; a common dose of Valium is 5 mg by mouth 2 to 4 times a day\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/span><\/td>\nVaries; length of treatment is not established, so patients should be closely monitored\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nVaries; length of treatment is not established, so patients should be closely monitored<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/span><\/td>\nAdults and children<\/span><\/td>\nAdults and children<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

What are the main differences between Klonopin and Valium?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Klonopin and Valium are both <\/span>anxiety medications<\/span><\/a>, also called anxiolytics. <\/span>Klonopin<\/span><\/a> is a benzodiazepine drug also known by its generic name, <\/span>clonazepam<\/span><\/a>.<\/span> It is available in the form of an oral tablet and an orally disintegrating tablet. Klonopin is considered a <\/span>long-acting<\/span><\/a> benzodiazepine. It takes about one to four hours to reach its maximum effect. The half-life of a drug is the time it takes for about half of the drug to leave the body, and it takes up to five half-lives for a dose of a drug to be almost completely eliminated from the body. The average half-life of Klonopin is 30-40 hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Valium<\/span><\/a> is also a benzodiazepine drug, and its generic name is diazepam. It is available in tablet, injection, and oral solution form. Diazepam is also available as a rectal gel and a nasal spray. The <\/span>rectal gel<\/span><\/a> and nasal spray are used only for seizure treatment. Valium is considered a long-acting benzodiazepine. It starts working quickly\u2014the maximum effect of the oral tablet can be felt within an hour to an hour and a half, and it stays in the body for a longer time than Klonopin. The average half-life of Valium is up to 100 hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conditions treated by Klonopin and Valium<\/span><\/h2>\n

Klonopin<\/span><\/a> is FDA-approved for the treatment of seizure disorders and panic disorders (with or without agoraphobia). <\/span>Valium<\/span><\/a> is FDA-approved for the following conditions: anxiety disorders, short-term relief of anxiety symptoms, acute alcohol withdrawal, and muscle spasm conditions, including skeletal muscle spasm, spasticity, athetosis (a movement condition characterized by involuntary writhing movements), and stiff-person syndrome.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Condition<\/b><\/td>\nKlonopin\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nValium\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Seizure disorders<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia)\/ panic attacks<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Anxiety disorders\/short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Symptoms of<\/span> alcohol withdrawal (agitation\/tremors)<\/span><\/td>\nNo\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Skeletal muscle spasm, spasticity, athetosis, and <\/span>stiff-person syndrome<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nOff-label\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Is Klonopin or Valium more effective?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Klonopin and Valium have different indications\u2014for example, Valium is FDA-approved for symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, while Klonopin is not (but may be used <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a>, which means for a non-FDA-approved use). The selection of whether Klonopin or Valium is the better choice, therefore, will depend on the reason for use and other individual factors.<\/span><\/p>\n

The most effective medication for you should be determined by your doctor, who can consider your medical condition(s) and medical history, as well as any medications you take that may interact with Klonopin or Valium.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Coverage and cost comparison of Klonopin vs. Valium<\/span><\/h2>\n

Clonazepam, or generic Klonopin, is generally covered by insurance and Medicare prescription plans. The generic form of <\/span>clonazepam<\/span><\/a> is significantly less expensive than Klonopin. The brand name may not be covered or may have a much higher copay. A common prescription would be 30 tablets of 0.5 mg generic clonazepam, and the out-of-pocket price is about $30. You can purchase it for as low as about $5 at participating pharmacies with a <\/span>SingleCare coupon<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Valium is also usually covered by insurance and Medicare Part D in its generic form of diazepam. The brand name product would be much more expensive or may not be covered. A typical prescription would be for 30 tablets of 5 mg generic diazepam. The out-of-pocket price is approximately $20, but you can purchase it for as low as $3 with a <\/span>SingleCare discount<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nKlonopin\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nValium<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by insurance?<\/span><\/td>\nYes (generic)<\/span><\/td>\nYes (generic)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by Medicare Part D?<\/span><\/td>\nYes (generic)<\/span><\/td>\nYes (generic)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Standard dosage<\/span><\/td>\n#30, 0.5 mg tablets<\/span><\/td>\n#30, 5 mg tablets<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typical Medicare Part D copay<\/span><\/td>\n$0-$20<\/span><\/td>\n$0-$20<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SingleCare cost<\/span><\/td>\n$5+ for generic clonazepam<\/span><\/td>\n$3+ for generic diazepam<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Common side effects of Klonopin vs. Valium<\/span><\/h2>\n

Side effects vary widely, depending on the dose and condition being treated.<\/span><\/p>\n

The most common side effects of Klonopin are:<\/span><\/p>\n