Actually it takes more than a few minutes for the regular klonopin to start working.it takes close to an hour.and peeks in your blood stream in four hours, that's why I hate it.I still have panic attacks on it.I want to go back to Xanax. It's the middle of the night, and you can't sleep. Time to choose your own adventure: 1. Toss and turn all night, thinking about all the sleep you aren't getting. Clonazepam (Klonopin) is an inexpensive drug used to treat certain types of seizures. It is also used to treat panic disorder. This drug is slightly more popular than comparable drugs. 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. Klonopin is normally not given on an as needed basis. It's is designed to be taken regularly so it can control your anxiety 24/7. Xanax is usually prescribed to take as needed. 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. Hello there, The usual starting Xanax dosage is 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg taken three times a day or as needed. If you take more than 4 mg per day, you are at risk of extreme physical or mental dependence. Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Valium (diazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam) are all benzodiazepines. They are all in the same class and work similarly. Both alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan) are considered short-acting benzodiazepines and when used for the right reasons, are quite effective for anxiety. It takes a professional knowledge and experience to properly determine how to taper off Xanax and other benzodiazepines of its kind.