Alzolam 0.5 - Tablet Alprazolam - 0.5mg 10 Tablet(s) / Strip Sun Pharmaceutical (Bangladesh) Ltd. Introduction: Alzolam 0.5 belongs to a class of medicines known as benzodiazepines. It is a prescription medicine used to treat anxiety. It alters brain activity, calms it and provides relief from panic attacks by relaxing the nerves. Alzolam 0.5 may be taken with or without food. However, it is advised to take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor as it has a high potential of habit-forming. If you have missed a dose, take it... Uses of Alzolam 0.5: Anxiety Side effects of Alzolam 0.5: LightheadednessDrowsiness How to use Alzolam 0.5: Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Alzolam 0.5 may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time. How Alzolam 0.5 works: Alzolam 0.5 is a benzodiazepine. It works by increasing the action of a chemical messenger (GABA) which suppresses the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain. What if you forget to take Alzolam 0.5?: If you miss a dose of Alzolam 0.5, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose. Indication: Oral Short-term management of anxiety Adult: 0.25-0.5 mg tid, increased to 3-4 mg daily if necessary. Elderly: Initially, 0.25 mg bid/tid. Panic attacks Adult Immediate-release 0.5 mg PO q8hr; may increase q3-4Days by ?1 mg/day Average dose: 5-6 mg/day PO May require up to 10 mg/day PO divided q8hr Extended-release 0.5-1 mg PO qDay; may increase q3-4Days by <1 mg/day Average dose: 3-6 mg PO qDay Anxiety Associated With Depression 1-4 mg/day PO divided q8hr Hepatic impairment: Avoid in severe impairment. Administration: Potentiates action of alcohol and CNS depressants. Reduced conc with cigarette smoking by 50%. Potentially Fatal: Cimetidine and fluoxetine reduce the clearance of alprazolam. Alprazolam enhances activity of imipramine and desipramine. Adult Dose: Dosage reduction or gradual withdrawal. Dependence. Geriatric or debilitated patients. Muscle weakness, impaired hepatic or renal function; arteriosclerosis; obesity; depression particularly suicidal tendency; chronic pulmonary insufficiency. May impair ability to drive or operate machinery. Children <18 yr. Lactation: Enters breast milk/not recommended Renal Dose: Alprazolam has anxiolytic, muscle-relaxant, anticonvulsant, antidepressant and sleep-modifying effects. It binds to the ? aminobutyric acid (GABA)-specific sites throughout the CNS, leading to an increase in the inhibitory effect of GABA on neuronal excitability. Increased neuronal permeability to chloride ions thus results in hyperpolarisation and stabilisation. Contraindication: <18 years old: Not recommended Mode of Action: Administration May be taken with or without food. Side effects eg sleepiness/drowsiness may be reduced if taken immediately after meals. Precaution: Anxiety disorders, Panic disorders, Nausea due to chemotherapy Side Effect: Renal impairment: Use caution; not studied Pregnancy Category Note: >10% (4 mg dose) Drowsiness (41%),Depression (10-15%),Headache (10-15%),Constipation (10-15%),Diarrhea (10-15%),Dry mouth (10-15%) >10% (10 mg dose) Drowsiness (77%),Impaired coordination (40-50%),Increased appetite (30-35%),Fatigue (30-35%),Memory impairment (30-35%),Irritability (30-35%),Decreased salivation (30-35%),Cognitive disorders (20-30%),Insomnia (20-30%),Dcreased appetite (20-30%),Headache (20-30%),Lightheadedness (20-30%),Dysarthria (20-30%),Diarrhea, constipation, and nausea/vomiting (20-30%),Weight change (20-30%),Nasal congestion (15-20%),Decreased or increased libido (10-15%),Menstrual disorder (10-15%),Difficult micturition (10-15%) 1-10% (4 mg dose) Tachycardia (5-10%),Confusion (5-10%),Insomnia (5-10%),Nausea/vomiting (5-10%),Blurred vision (5-10%),Nasal congestion (5-10%),Hypotension (1-5%),Syncope (1-5%),Akathisia (1-5%),Dizziness (1-5%),Increased salivation (1-5%),Nervousness (1-5%),Tremor (1-5%),Weight change (1-5%) 1-10% (10 mg dose) Increased salivation (5-10%),Talkativeness (1-5%),Incontinence (1-5%) Potentially Fatal: Blood dyscrasias. Interaction: Acute narrow-angle glaucoma, preexisting CNS depression or coma, resp depression, acute pulmonary insufficiency or sleep apnoea; severe hepatic impairment; pregnancy, lactation.