Best Benzodiazepine for anxiety disorders
Top-rated pick: Lorazepam — pharmaranks score 70/100, the highest of the 7 Benzodiazepine drugs used for anxiety disorders, ranked by our independent FDA recall-safety score. Compare them with all treatments for anxiety disorders or the full Benzodiazepine class. Not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 7 benzodiazepine drugs we rate for anxiety disorders, 5 are available as lower-cost generics, and most are injectable. Our ranking reflects each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for anxiety disorders; the right choice depends on your situation, so confirm it with your prescriber.
How benzodiazepine work
Benzodiazepines boost the brain's main calming chemical, GABA, by binding to the GABA-A receptor and making its chloride channel open more often. This quiets nerve activity, producing sedation, reduced anxiety, muscle relaxation, and protection against seizures.
Other drug classes for anxiety disorders
Top benzodiazepine for anxiety disorders: 1. Lorazepam · 2. Nayzilam · 3. Ativan
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 2 | 70/100 | Prescription | Spray/Inhaler | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 3 | 68/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 4 | 64/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 5 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Capsule | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 6 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | No data | — | View → | |
| 7 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | No data | — | View → |
Full ranking · 7 drugs
lorazepam
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine used to treat Anxiety Disorders, Catatonia, Depressive Disorder, Partial Epilepsies.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.00/30· 5 forms Save up to 34% in classnayzilam
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Nayzilam (Midazolam) is a benzodiazepine used to treat Anxiety Disorders, Psychomotor Agitation, Status Epilepticus.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.23· 5 formsativan
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Ativan (Lorazepam) is a benzodiazepine used to treat Anxiety Disorders, Catatonia, Depressive Disorder, Partial Epilepsies.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.00/30· 5 forms Save up to 34% in classmidazolam hydrochloride
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Midazolam Hydrochloride is a benzodiazepine used to treat Anxiety Disorders, Psychomotor Agitation, Status Epilepticus.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.23· 5 forms
loreev xr
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Loreev XR (Lorazepam) is a benzodiazepine used to treat Anxiety Disorders, Catatonia, Depressive Disorder, Partial Epilepsies.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.00/30· 5 forms Save up to 34% in classtranxene
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Tranxene (Clorazepate Dipotassium) is a benzodiazepine used to treat Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium, Anxiety Disorders, Partial Epilepsies.
tranxene sd
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Tranxene Sd (Clorazepate Dipotassium) is a benzodiazepine used to treat Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium, Anxiety Disorders, Partial Epilepsies.
Frequently asked
- What is the best benzodiazepine for anxiety disorders?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — lorazepam ranks highest among Benzodiazepine drugs used for anxiety disorders. Always consult a professional.
- Which benzodiazepine drugs treat anxiety disorders?
- pharmaranks lists 7 Benzodiazepine products used for anxiety disorders, per NIH RxClass drug-classification data — each independently rated and ranked above.
- How are these ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.