Alprazolam ODT C-IV

Dosage should be individualized for maximum beneficial effect. While the usual daily dosages given below will meet the needs of most patients, there will be some who require doses greater than 4 mg per day. In such cases, the dosage should be increased cautiously to avoid adverse reactions.

In general, benzodiazepines should be prescribed for short periods. Reevaluate the need for continued therapy before extending the treatment period. 5 mg three times daily. The dose may be increased to achieve a maximum therapeutic effect, at intervals of 3 to 4 days, to a maximum daily dose of 4 mg, given in divided doses.

Use the lowest possible effective dose, and periodically reassess the need for continued treatment. The risk of dependence can increase with dose and duration of treatment. 2 Panic Disorder The successful treatment of many panic disorder patients has required the use of alprazolam at doses greater than 4 mg daily.

In controlled trials conducted to establish the efficacy of alprazolam in panic disorder, doses in the range of 1 mg to 10 mg daily were used. The mean dosage employed was approximately 5 mg to 6 mg daily. Among the approximately 1700 patients participating in the panic disorder development program, about 300 received alprazolam in dosages of greater than 7 mg per day, including approximately 100 patients who received maximum dosages of greater than 9 mg per day.

Occasional patients required as much as 10 mg a day to achieve a successful response. 5 mg three times daily. Depending on the response, the dose may be increased at intervals of 3 to 4 days in increments of no more than 1 mg per day.

Slower titration to the dose levels greater than 4 mg per day may be advisable to allow full expression of the pharmacodynamic effect of alprazolam. , administered three or four times daily). Generally, therapy should be initiated at a low dose to minimize the risk of adverse responses in patients especially sensitive to the drug.

, a substantial reduction in or total elimination of panic attacks) is achieved, intolerance occurs, or the maximum recommended dose is attained. Dose Maintenance For patients receiving doses greater than 4 mg per day, periodically reassess treatment and consider a reduction of dosage.

In a controlled postmarketing dose-response study, patients treated with doses of alprazolam greater than 4 mg per day for 3 months were able to taper to 50% of their total daily maintenance dose without apparent loss of clinical benefit.

3)]. The necessary duration of treatment for panic disorder patients responding to alprazolam is unknown. After a period of extended freedom from attacks, a carefully supervised tapered discontinuation may be attempted, but there is evidence that this may often be difficult to accomplish without recurrence of symptoms and/or the manifestation of withdrawal phenomena.

3 Discontinuation or Dosage Reduction of Alprazolam Orally Disintegrating Tablets To reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions, use a gradual taper to discontinue Alprazolam orally disintegrating tablets or reduce the dosage. If a patient develops withdrawal reactions, consider pausing the taper or increasing the dosage to the previous tapered dosage level.

3)]. In a controlled postmarketing discontinuation study of panic disorder patients which compared this recommended taper schedule with a slower taper schedule, there was no difference between the groups in the proportion of patients who tapered and completely discontinued treatment with alprazolam; however, the slower schedule was associated with a reduction in symptoms associated with a withdrawal syndrome.

5 mg every 3 days. Some patients may benefit from an even more gradual discontinuation. Some patients may prove resistant to all discontinuation regimens. 25 mg, given two or three times daily. This may be gradually increased if needed and tolerated.

The elderly may be especially sensitive to the effects of benzodiazepines. If adverse reactions occur at the recommended starting dose, the dose may be lowered. 5 Instructions to be Given to Patients for Use/Handling Alprazolam Orally Disintegrating Tablets Just prior to administration, with dry hands, remove the tablet from the blister.

Immediately place the alprazolam orally disintegrating tablet on top of the tongue where it will disintegrate and be swallowed with saliva. Administration with liquid is not necessary.

1 Clinical Trial Experience The most commonly reported (greater than or equal to 5% and ~ twice the rate of placebo) adverse reactions with alprazolam treatment are: sedation, impaired coordination, dysarthria, and increased libido.

The data cited in the two tables below are estimates of adverse reactions occurring in patients who participated in clinical trials under the following conditions: relatively short duration (four weeks) placebo-controlled clinical studies with dosages up to 4 mg per day of alprazolam (for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety) and short-term (up to ten weeks) placebo-controlled clinical studies with dosages up to 10 mg per day of alprazolam in patients with panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia.

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Comparison of the cited figures, however, can provide the prescriber with some basis for estimating the relative contributions of drug and non-drug factors to the adverse reaction incidence in the population studied. Even this use must be approached cautiously, as a drug may relieve a symptom in one patient but induce it in others.

) Table 1: Adverse Reactions Reported in Placebo-Controlled Trials of Alprazolam in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (>2% and at a rate greater than placebo) GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER Body System/Adverse Reaction Treatment-Emergent Symptom Incidencea ALPRAZOLAM (%) N=565 PLACEBO (%) N=505 Central Nervous System Sedation 41 22 Lightheadedness 21 19 Dizziness 2 1 Akathisia 2 1 Gastrointestinal Dry Mouth 15 13 Increased Salivation 4 2 Cardiovascular Hypotension 5 2 Cutaneous Dermatitis/Allergy 4 3 aEvents reported by 1% or more of alprazolam patients are included.

, greater than 1%) adverse reactions described in the table above, the following adverse reactions have been reported in association with the use of benzodiazepines: dystonia, irritability, concentration difficulties, anorexia, transient amnesia or memory impairment, loss of coordination, fatigue, seizures, sedation, slurred speech, jaundice, musculoskeletal weakness, pruritus, diplopia, dysarthria, changes in libido, menstrual irregularities, incontinence and urinary retention.

Table 2:

Adverse Reactions Reported in Placebo-Controlled Trials of Alprazolam in Panic Disorder (>2 % and greater than placebo) PANIC DISORDER Body System/Adverse Reaction Treatment-Emergent Symptom Incidencea Central Nervous System ALPRAZOLAM (%) N=1388 PLACEBO (%) N=1231 Sedation 77 43 Fatigue and Tiredness 49 42 Impaired Coordination 40 18 Irritability 33 30 Memory Impairment 33 22 Cognitive Disorder 29 21 Dysarthria 23 6 Decreased Libido 14 8 Confusional State 10 8 Increased Libido 8 4 Change in Libido (Not Specified) 7 6 Disinhibition 3 2 Talkativeness 2 1 Derealization 2 1 Gastrointestinal Constipation 26 15 Increased Salivation 6 4 Cutaneous Rash 11 8 Other Increased Appetite 33 23 Decreased Appetite 28 24 Weight Gain 27 18 Weight Loss 23 17 Micturition Difficulties 12 9 Menstrual Disorders 10 9 Sexual Dysfunction 7 4 Incontinence 2 1 aEvents reported by 1% or more of alprazolam patients are included.

, greater than 1%) adverse reactions described in the table above, the following adverse reactions have been reported in association with the use of alprazolam: seizures, hallucinations, depersonalization, taste alterations, diplopia, elevated bilirubin, elevated hepatic enzymes, and jaundice.

4)]. 2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postmarketing use of alprazolam. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Reported events include: liver enzyme elevations, hepatitis, hepatic failure, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, hyperprolactinemia, gynecomastia, and galactorrhea.

1 Risks from Concomitant Use with Opioids Concomitant use of benzodiazepines, including alprazolam, and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Because of these risks, reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate.

Observational studies have demonstrated that concomitant use of opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines increases the risk of drug-related mortality compared to use of opioids alone. If a decision is made to prescribe alprazolam concomitantly with opioids, prescribe the lowest effective dosages and minimum durations of concomitant use, and follow patients closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.

In patients already receiving an opioid analgesic, prescribe a lower initial dose of alprazolam than indicated in the absence of an opioid and titrate based on clinical response. If an opioid is initiated in a patient already taking alprazolam, prescribe a lower initial dose of the opioid and titrate based upon clinical response.

Advise both patients and caregivers about the risks of respiratory depression and sedation when alprazolam is used with opioids. 1)]. 2 Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction The use of benzodiazepines, including Alprazolam orally disintegrating tablets, exposes users to the risks of abuse, misuse, and addiction, which can lead to overdose or death.

2)]. , using a standardized screening tool). Use of alprazolam orally disintegrating tablets, particularly in patients at elevated risk, necessitates counseling about the risks and proper use of alprazolam orally disintegrating tablets along with monitoring for signs and symptoms of abuse, misuse, and addiction.

, opioid analgesics, stimulants); and advise patients on the proper disposal of unused drug. If a substance use disorder is suspected, evaluate the patient and institute (or refer them for) early treatment, as appropriate. 3)]. Patients at an increased risk of withdrawal adverse reactions after benzodiazepine discontinuation or rapid dosage reduction include those who take higher dosages, and those who have had longer durations of use.

Acute Withdrawal Reactions The continued use of benzodiazepines, including Alprazolam orally disintegrating tablets, lead to clinically significant physical dependence. 3)]. 3)]. Certain adverse clinical events, some life-threatening, are a direct consequence of physical dependence to alprazolam.

3)]. Spontaneous reporting system data suggest that the risk of dependence and its severity appear to be greater in patients treated with doses greater than 4 mg per day and for long periods (more than 12 weeks). However, in a controlled postmarketing discontinuation study of panic disorder patients, the duration of treatment (3 months compared to 6 months) had no effect on the ability of patients to taper to zero dose.

In contrast, patients treated with doses of alprazolam greater than 4 mg per day had more difficulty tapering to zero dose than those treated with less than 4 mg per day. The importance of dose and the risks of Alprazolam as a treatment for panic disorder Because the management of panic disorder often requires the use of average daily doses of alprazolam above 4 mg, the risk of dependence among panic disorder patients may be higher than that among those treated for less severe anxiety.

Experience in randomized placebo-controlled discontinuation studies of patients with panic disorder showed a high rate of rebound and withdrawal symptoms in patients treated with alprazolam compared to placebo-treated patients. Relapse or return of illness was defined as a return of symptoms characteristic of panic disorder (primarily panic attacks) to levels approximately equal to those seen at baseline before active treatment was initiated.

Rebound refers to a return of symptoms of panic disorder to a level substantially greater in frequency, or more severe in intensity than seen at baseline. Withdrawal symptoms were identified as those which were generally not characteristic of panic disorder and which occurred for the first time more frequently during discontinuation than at baseline.

In a controlled clinical trial in which 63 patients were randomized to alprazolam and where withdrawal symptoms were specifically sought, the following were identified as symptoms of withdrawal: heightened sensory perception, impaired concentration, dysosmia, clouded sensorium, paresthesias, muscle cramps, muscle twitch, diarrhea, blurred vision, appetite decrease, and weight loss.

Other symptoms, such as anxiety and insomnia, were frequently seen during discontinuation, but it could not be determined if they were due to return of illness, rebound, or withdrawal. In two controlled trials of 6 to 8 weeks duration where the ability of patients to discontinue medication was measured, 71% to 93% of patients treated with alprazolam tapered completely off therapy compared to 89% to 96% of placebo-treated patients.

In a controlled postmarketing discontinuation study of panic disorder patients, the duration of treatment (3 months compared to 6 months) had no effect on the ability of patients to taper to zero dose. Seizures attributable to alprazolam were seen after drug discontinuance or dose reduction in 8 of 1980 patients with panic disorder or in patients participating in clinical trials where doses of alprazolam greater than 4 mg/day for over 3 months were permitted.

Five of these cases clearly occurred during abrupt dose reduction, or discontinuation from daily doses of 2 mg to 10 mg. Three cases occurred in situations where there was not a clear relationship to abrupt dose reduction or discontinuation.

In one instance, seizure occurred after discontinuation from a single dose of 1 mg after tapering at a rate of 1 mg every 3 days from 6 mg daily. In two other instances, the relationship to taper is indeterminate; in both of these cases the patients had been receiving doses of 3 mg daily prior to seizure.

The duration of use in the above 8 cases ranged from 4 to 22 weeks. There have been occasional voluntary reports of patients developing seizures while apparently tapering gradually from alprazolam. The risk of seizure seems to be greatest 24 to 72 hours after discontinuation [see Dosage and Administration (2)].

To discontinue treatment in patients taking alprazolam, the dosage should be reduced gradually. 3)]. Some patients may benefit from an even slower dosage reduction. In a controlled postmarketing discontinuation study of panic disorder patients which compared this recommended taper schedule with a slower taper schedule, no difference was observed between the groups in the proportion of patients who tapered to zero dose; however, the slower schedule was associated with a reduction in symptoms associated with a withdrawal syndrome.

4 Suicide and Overdose As with other psychotropic medications, the usual precautions with respect to administration of the drug and size of the prescription are indicated for severely depressed patients or those in whom there is reason to expect concealed suicidal ideation or plans.

Panic disorder has been associated with primary and secondary major depressive disorders and increased reports of suicide among untreated patients. 5 Status Epilepticus Withdrawal seizures have been reported in association with the discontinuation of alprazolam.

In most cases, only a single seizure was reported; however, multiple seizures and status epilepticus were reported as well. 6 CNS Depression and Impaired Performance Because alprazolam has CNS depressant effects and has the potential to impair judgment, cognition, and motor performance, caution patients against engaging in hazardous occupations or activities requiring complete mental alertness such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle, until they are reasonably certain that alprazolam treatment does not affect them adversely.

Caution patients about the simultaneous ingestion of alcohol and other CNS depressant drugs during treatment with alprazolam. 7 Mania Episodes of hypomania and mania have been reported in association with the use of alprazolam in patients with depression.

1)]. Monitor neonates exposed to Alprazolam orally disintegrating tablets during pregnancy or labor for signs of sedation and monitor neonates exposed to Alprazolam orally disintegrating tablets during pregnancy for signs of withdrawal; manage these neonates accordingly.

9 Alprazolam Interaction with Drugs that Inhibit Metabolism via Cytochrome P450 3A The initial step in alprazolam metabolism is hydroxylation catalyzed by cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A). Drugs that inhibit this metabolic pathway may have a profound effect on the clearance of alprazolam.

Consequently, alprazolam should be avoided in patients receiving potent inhibitors of CYP3A. With drugs inhibiting CYP3A to a lesser but still significant degree, alprazolam should be used only with caution and consideration of appropriate dosage reduction.

For some drugs, an interaction with alprazolam has been quantified with clinical data; for other drugs, interactions are predicted from in vitro data and/or experience with similar drugs in the same pharmacologic class. The following are examples of drugs known to inhibit the metabolism of alprazolam and/or related benzodiazepines, presumably through inhibition of CYP3A.

70 fold, respectively. The coadministration of alprazolam with these agents is not recommended. Other azole-type antifungal agents should also be considered potent CYP3A inhibitors and the coadministration of alprazolam with them is not recommended [see CONTRAINDICATIONS (4)].

Drugs demonstrated to be CYP3A inhibitors on the basis of clinical studies involving alprazolam Consider dose reduction of alprazolam during coadministration with the following drugs: Nefazodone — Coadministration of nefazodone increased alprazolam concentration two-fold.

Fluvoxamine — Coadministration of fluvoxamine approximately doubled the maximum plasma concentration of alprazolam, decreased clearance by 49%, increased half-life by 71%, and decreased measured psychomotor performance. Cimetidine — Coadministration of cimetidine increased the maximum plasma concentration of alprazolam by 86%, decreased clearance by 42%, and increased half-life by 16%.

6)]. 10 Interdose Symptoms Early morning anxiety and emergence of anxiety symptoms between doses of alprazolam have been reported in patients with panic disorder taking prescribed maintenance doses of alprazolam. These symptoms may reflect the development of tolerance or a time interval between doses which is longer than the duration of clinical action of the administered dose.

In either case, it is presumed that the prescribed dose is not sufficient to maintain plasma levels above those needed to prevent relapse, rebound or withdrawal symptoms over the entire course of the interdosing interval. In these situations, it is recommended that the same total daily dose be given divided as more frequent administrations [see Dosage and Administration (2)].

11 Uricosuric Effect Alprazolam has a weak uricosuric effect. Although other medications with weak uricosuric effect have been reported to cause acute renal failure, there have been no reported instances of acute renal failure attributable to therapy with alprazolam.

12 Use in Patients with Concomitant Illness It is recommended that the dosage be limited to the smallest effective dose to preclude the development of ataxia or oversedation which may be a particular problem in elderly or debilitated patients [see Dosage and Administration (2)].

The usual precautions in treating patients with impaired renal, hepatic or pulmonary function should be observed. There have been rare reports of death in patients with severe pulmonary disease shortly after the initiation of treatment with alprazolam.

, increased plasma half-life) has been observed in both alcoholic liver disease patients and obese patients receiving alprazolam [see Clinical Pharmacology (12)]. 13 Risks in Patients with Phenylketonuria Phenylketonuric patients should be informed that alprazolam orally disintegrating tablets contain phenylalanine (a component of aspartame).

1)].

Alprazolam orally disintegrating tablets are contraindicated in patients with acute narrow angle glaucoma. Alprazolam orally disintegrating tablets can exacerbate narrow angle closure. Alprazolam orally disintegrating tablets may be used in patients with open angle glaucoma who are receiving appropriate therapy.

4)].