WARNINGS
Certain adverse clinical events, some life-threatening, are a direct consequence of physical dependence to alprazolam tablets.
These include a spectrum of withdrawal symptoms; the most important is seizure (see DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE).
Even after relatively short-term use at the doses recommended for the treatment of transient anxiety and anxiety disorder (ie, 0.75 to 4 mg per day), there is some risk of dependence.
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/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 tablets greater than 4 mg/day had more difficulty tapering to zero dose than those treated with less than 4 mg/day.
Because the management of panic disorder often requires the use of average daily doses of alprazolam tablets 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 tablets 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 tablets 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 tablets 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 tablets 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 tablets 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 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 tablets.
The risk of seizure seems to be greatest 24 to 72 hours after discontinuation (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION for recommended tapering and discontinuation schedule).
The medical event voluntary reporting system shows that withdrawal seizures have been reported in association with the discontinuation of alprazolam tablets.
In most cases, only a single seizure was reported; however, multiple seizures and status epilepticus were reported as well.
Early morning anxiety and emergence of anxiety symptoms between doses of alprazolam tablets have been reported in patients with panic disorder taking prescribed maintenance doses of alprazolam tablets.
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).
Withdrawal reactions may occur when dosage reduction occurs for any reason.
This includes purposeful tapering, but also inadvertent reduction of dose (eg, the patient forgets, the patient is admitted to a hospital).
Therefore, the dosage of alprazolam tablets should be reduced or discontinued gradually (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
Because of its CNS depressant effects, patients receiving alprazolam tablets should be cautioned against engaging in hazardous occupations or activities requiring complete mental alertness such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle.
For the same reason, patients should be cautioned about the simultaneous ingestion of alcohol and other CNS depressant drugs during treatment with alprazolam tablets.
Benzodiazepines can potentially cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women.
If alprazolam tablets are used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.
Because of experience with other members of the benzodiazepine class, alprazolam tablet is assumed to be capable of causing an increased risk of congenital abnormalities when administered to a pregnant woman during the first trimester.
Because use of these drugs is rarely a matter of urgency, their use during the first trimester should almost always be avoided.
The possibility that a woman of childbearing potential may be pregnant at the time of institution of therapy should be considered.
Patients should be advised that if they become pregnant during therapy or intend to become pregnant they should communicate with their physicians about the desirability of discontinuing the drug.
Dependence and Withdrawal Reactions, Including Seizures: The importance of dose and the risks of alprazolam tablets as a treatment for panic disorder: Status Epilepticus and its Treatment: Interdose Symptoms: Risk of Dose Reduction: CNS Depression and Impaired Performance Risk of Fetal Harm Alprazolam Interaction with Drugs that Inhibit Metabolism via Cytochrome P450 3A: The initial step in alprazolam metabolism is hydroxylation catalyzed by cytochrome P450 3A (CYP 3A).
Drugs that inhibit this metabolic pathway may have a profound effect on the clearance of alprazolam.
Consequently, alprazolam should be avoided in patients receiving very potent inhibitors of CYP 3A.
With drugs inhibiting CYP 3A 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 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.
Azole antifungal agents— Ketoconazole and itraconazole are potent CYP3A inhibitors and have been shown to increase plasma alprazolam concentrations 3.98 fold and 2.70 fold, respectively.
The coadministration of alprazolam with these agents is not recommended.
Other azole-type antifungal agents should also be considered potent CYP 3A inhibitors and the coadministration of alprazolam with them is not recommended (see CONTRAINDICATIONS).
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%.
Other drugs possibly affecting alprazolam metabolism by inhibition of CYP 3A are discussed in the PRECAUTIONS section (see PRECAUTIONS–Drug Interactions).
in vitro Potent CYP 3A Inhibitors: in vivo Drugs demonstrated to be CYP 3A inhibitors on the basis of clinical studies involving alprazolam (caution and consideration of appropriate alprazolam dose reduction are recommended during coadministration with the following drugs): Other drugs possibly affecting alprazolam metabolism:
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Drug Interactions If alprazolam tablets are to be combined with other psychotropic agents or anticonvulsant drugs, careful consideration should be given to the pharmacology of the agents to be employed, particularly with compounds which might potentiate the action of benzodiazepines.
The benzodiazepines, including alprazolam, produce additive CNS depressant effects when coadministered with other psychotropic medications, anticonvulsants, antihistaminics, ethanol and other drugs which themselves produce CNS depression.
The steady state plasma concentrations of imipramine and desipramine have been reported to be increased an average of 31% and 20%, respectively, by the concomitant administration of alprazolam tablets in doses up to 4 mg/day.
The clinical significance of these changes is unknown.
: The initial step in alprazolam metabolism is hydroxylation catalyzed by cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A).
Drugs which inhibit this metabolic pathway may have a profound effect on the clearance of alprazolam (see CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS for additional drugs of this type).
Fluoxetine—Coadministration of fluoxetine with alprazolam increased the maximum plasma concentration of alprazolam by 46%, decreased clearance by 21%, increased half-life by 17%, and decreased measured psychomotor performance.
Propoxyphene—Coadministration of propoxyphene decreased the maximum plasma concentration of alprazolam by 6%, decreased clearance by 38%, and increased half-life by 58%.
Oral Contraceptives—Coadministration of oral contraceptives increased the maximum plasma concentration of alprazolam by 18%, decreased clearance by 22%, and increased half-life by 29%.
Available data from clinical studies of benzodiazepines other than alprazolam suggest a possible drug interaction with alprazolam for the following: diltiazem, isoniazid, macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin and clarithromycin, and grapefruit juice.
Data from studies of alprazolam suggest a possible drug interaction with alprazolam for the following: sertraline and paroxetine.
However, data from an drug interaction study involving a single dose of alprazolam 1 mg and steady state dose of sertraline (50 to 150 mg/day) did not reveal any clinically significant changes in the pharmacokinetics of alprazolam.
Data from studies of benzodiazepines other than alprazolam suggest a possible drug interaction for the following: ergotamine, cyclosporine, amiodarone, nicardipine, and nifedipine.
Caution is recommended during the coadministration of any of these with alprazolam (see WARNINGS).
Carbamazepine can increase alprazolam metabolism and therefore can decrease plasma levels of alprazolam.
Use with other CNS depressants Use with imipramine and desipramine Drugs that inhibit alprazolam metabolism via cytochrome P450 3A Drugs demonstrated to be CYP3A inhibitors of possible clinical significance on the basis of clinical studies involving alprazolam (caution is recommended during coadministration with alprazolam): Drugs and other substances demonstrated to be CYP3A inhibitors on the basis of clinical studies involving benzodiazepines metabolized similarly to alprazolam or on the basis of in vitro studies with alprazolam or other benzodiazepines (caution is recommended during coadministration with alprazolam): in vitro in vivo in vitro Drugs demonstrated to be inducers of CYP3A:
OVERDOSAGE
Manifestations of alprazolam overdosage include somnolence, confusion, impaired coordination, diminished reflexes and coma.
Death has been reported in association with overdoses of alprazolam by itself, as it has with other benzodiazepines.
In addition, fatalities have been reported in patients who have overdosed with a combination of a single benzodiazepine, including alprazolam, and alcohol; alcohol levels seen in some of these patients have been lower than those usually associated with alcohol-induced fatality.
The acute oral LD in rats is 331 to 2171 mg/kg.
Other experiments in animals have indicated that cardiopulmonary collapse can occur following massive intravenous doses of alprazolam (over 195 mg/kg; 975 times the maximum recommended daily human dose of 10 mg/day).
Animals could be resuscitated with positive mechanical ventilation and the intravenous infusion of norepinephrine bitartrate.
Animal experiments have suggested that forced diuresis or hemodialysis are probably of little value in treating overdosage.
Overdosage reports with alprazolam tablets are limited.
As in all cases of drug overdosage, respiration, pulse rate, and blood pressure should be monitored.
General supportive measures should be employed, along with immediate gastric lavage.
Intravenous fluids should be administered and an adequate airway maintained.
If hypotension occurs, it may be combated by the use of vasopressors.
Dialysis is of limited value.
As with the management of intentional overdosing with any drug, it should be borne in mind that multiple agents may have been ingested.
Flumazenil, a specific benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, is indicated for the complete or partial reversal of the sedative effects of benzodiazepines and may be used in situations when an overdose with a benzodiazepine is known or suspected.
Prior to the administration of flumazenil, necessary measures should be instituted to secure airway, ventilation and intravenous access.
Flumazenil is intended as an adjunct to, not as a substitute for, proper management of benzodiazepine overdose.
Patients treated with flumazenil should be monitored for re-sedation, respiratory depression, and other residual benzodiazepine effects for an appropriate period after treatment.
The complete flumazenil package insert including CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS should be consulted prior to use.
Clinical Experience 50 General Treatment of Overdose: The prescriber should be aware of a risk of seizure in association with flumazenil treatment, particularly in long-term benzodiazepine users and in cyclic antidepressant overdose.
DESCRIPTION
Alprazolam tablets contain alprazolam which is a triazolo analog of the 1,4 benzodiazepine class of central nervous system-active compounds.
The chemical name of alprazolam is 8-Chloro-1-methyl-6-phenyl-4H-s-triazolo [4,3-α] [1,4] benzodiazepine.
The structural formula is represented below: Alprazolam is a white crystalline powder, which is soluble in methanol or ethanol but which has no appreciable solubility in water at physiological pH.
Each alprazolam tablet, for oral administration, contains 0.25, 0.5, 1 or 2 mg of alprazolam, USP.
Alprazolam tablets, 2 mg, are multi-scored and may be divided as shown below: Inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, corn starch, microcrystalline cellulose, colloidal silicon dioxide, povidone, docusate sodium, sodium benzoate, magnesium stearate.
In addition, the 0.5 mg tablet contains FD&C Yellow # 6 Aluminum Lake and the 1 mg tablet contains FD&C Blue # 2 Aluminum Lake.
alprazolam-chemical-structure alprazolam-fig1
CLINICAL STUDIES
Alprazolam tablets were compared to placebo in double blind clinical studies (doses up to 4 mg/day) in patients with a diagnosis of anxiety or anxiety with associated depressive symptomatology.
Alprazolam was significantly better than placebo at each of the evaluation periods of these 4-week studies as judged by the following psychometric instruments: Physician’s Global Impressions, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Target Symptoms, Patient’s Global Impressions and Self-Rating Symptom Scale.
Support for the effectiveness of alprazolam in the treatment of panic disorder came from three short-term, placebo-controlled studies (up to 10 weeks) in patients with diagnoses closely corresponding to DSM-III-R criteria for panic disorder.
The average dose of alprazolam was 5 to 6 mg/day in two of the studies, and the doses of alprazolam were fixed at 2 and 6 mg/day in the third study.
In all three studies, alprazolam was superior to placebo on a variable defined as “the number of patients with zero panic attacks” (range, 37 to 83% met this criterion), as well as on a global improvement score.
In two of the three studies, alprazolam was superior to placebo on a variable defined as “change from baseline on the number of panic attacks per week” (range, 3.3 to 5.2), and also on a phobia rating scale.
A subgroup of patients who were improved on alprazolam during short-term treatment in one of these trials was continued on an open basis up to 8 months, without apparent loss of benefit.
Anxiety Disorders Panic Disorder
HOW SUPPLIED
NDC:64725-0604-1 in a BOTTLE of 100 TABLETS
GERIATRIC USE
Geriatric Use The elderly may be more sensitive to the effects of benzodiazepines.
They exhibit higher plasma alprazolam concentrations due to reduced clearance of the drug as compared with a younger population receiving the same doses.
The smallest effective dose of alprazolam tablets should be used in the elderly to preclude the development of ataxia and oversedation (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Alprazolam tablets are indicated for the management of anxiety disorder (a condition corresponding most closely to the APA Diagnostic and Statistical Manual [DSM-III-R] diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder) or the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety.
Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic.
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by unrealistic or excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation) about two or more life circumstances, for a period of 6 months or longer, during which the person has been bothered more days than not by these concerns.
At least 6 of the following 18 symptoms are often present in these patients: (trembling, twitching, or feeling shaky; muscle tension, aches, or soreness; restlessness; easy fatigability); (shortness of breath or smothering sensations; palpitations or accelerated heart rate; sweating, or cold clammy hands; dry mouth; dizziness or light-headedness; nausea, diarrhea, or other abdominal distress; flushes or chills; frequent urination; trouble swallowing or ‘lump in throat’); (feeling keyed up or on edge; exaggerated startle response; difficulty concentrating or ‘mind going blank’ because of anxiety; trouble falling or staying asleep; irritability).
These symptoms must not be secondary to another psychiatric disorder or caused by some organic factor.
Anxiety associated with depression is responsive to alprazolam tablets.
Alprazolam tablets are also indicated for the treatment of panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia.
Studies supporting this claim were conducted in patients whose diagnoses corresponded closely to the DSM-III-R/IV criteria for panic disorder (see CLINICAL STUDIES).
Panic disorder (DSM-IV) is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks, ie, a discrete period of intense fear or discomfort in which four (or more) of the following symptoms develop abruptly and reach a peak within 10 minutes: (1) palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate; (2) sweating; (3) trembling or shaking; (4) sensations of shortness of breath or smothering; (5) feeling of choking; (6) chest pain or discomfort; (7) nausea or abdominal distress; (8) feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint; (9) derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself); (10) fear of losing control; (11) fear of dying; (12) paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations); (13) chills or hot flushes.
Demonstrations of the effectiveness of alprazolam tablets by systematic clinical study are limited to 4 months duration for anxiety disorder and 4 to 10 weeks duration for panic disorder; however, patients with panic disorder have been treated on an open basis for up to 8 months without apparent loss of benefit.
The physician should periodically reassess the usefulness of the drug for the individual patient.
Anxiety Disorders Motor Tension Autonomic Hyperactivity Vigilance and Scanning Panic Disorder
PEDIATRIC USE
Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of alprazolam tablets in individuals below 18 years of age have not been established.
PREGNANCY
Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category D: (See WARNINGS section).
Nonteratogenic Effects: It should be considered that the child born of a mother who is receiving benzodiazepines may be at some risk for withdrawal symptoms from the drug during the postnatal period.
Also, neonatal flaccidity and respiratory problems have been reported in children born of mothers who have been receiving benzodiazepines.
NUSRING MOTHERS
Nursing Mothers Benzodiazepines are known to be excreted in human milk.
It should be assumed that alprazolam is as well.
Chronic administration of diazepam to nursing mothers has been reported to cause their infants to become lethargic and to lose weight.
As a general rule, nursing should not be undertaken by mothers who must use alprazolam tablets.
INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS
Information for Patients To assure safe and effective use of benzodiazepines, all patients prescribed alprazolam tablets should be provided with the following guidance.
For all users of alprazolam tablets: Inform your physician about any alcohol consumption and medicine you are taking now, including medication you may buy without a prescription.
Alcohol should generally not be used during treatment with benzodiazepines.
Not recommended for use in pregnancy.
Therefore, inform your physician if you are pregnant, if you are planning to have a child, or if you become pregnant while you are taking this medication.
Inform your physician if you are nursing.
Until you experience how this medication affects you, do not drive a car or operate potentially dangerous machinery, etc.
Do not increase the dose even if you think the medication “does not work anymore” without consulting your physician.
Benzodiazepines, even when used as recommended, may produce emotional and/or physical dependence.
Do not stop taking this medication abruptly or decrease the dose without consulting your physician, since withdrawal symptoms can occur.
The use of alprazolam tablets at doses greater than 4 mg/day, often necessary to treat panic disorder, is accompanied by risks that you need to carefully consider.
When used at doses greater than 4 mg/day, which may or may not be required for your treatment, alprazolam tablets have the potential to cause severe emotional and physical dependence in some patients and these patients may find it exceedingly difficult to terminate treatment.
In two controlled trials of 6 to 8 weeks duration where the ability of patients to discontinue medication was measured, 7 to 29% of patients treated with alprazolam tablets did not completely taper off therapy.
In a controlled postmarketing discontinuation study of panic disorder patients, the patients treated with doses of alprazolam tablets greater than 4 mg/day had more difficulty tapering to zero dose than patients treated with less than 4 mg/day.
In all cases, it is important that your physician help you discontinue this medication in a careful and safe manner to avoid overly extended use of alprazolam tablets.
In addition, the extended use at doses greater than 4 mg/day appears to increase the incidence and severity of withdrawal reactions when alprazolam tablet is discontinued.
These are generally minor but seizure can occur, especially if you reduce the dose too rapidly or discontinue the medication abruptly.
Seizure can be life-threatening.
Additional advice for panic disorder patients:
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
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/day.
In such cases, dosage should be increased cautiously to avoid adverse effects.
Treatment for patients with anxiety should be initiated with a dose of 0.25 to 0.5 mg given 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.
The lowest possible effective dose should be employed and the need for continued treatment reassessed frequently.
The risk of dependence may increase with dose and duration of treatment.
In all patients, dosage should be reduced gradually when discontinuing therapy or when decreasing the daily dosage.
Although there are no systematically collected data to support a specific discontinuation schedule, it is suggested that the daily dosage be decreased by no more than 0.5 mg every 3 days.
Some patients may require an even slower dosage reduction.
The successful treatment of many panic disorder patients has required the use of alprazolam tablets at doses greater than 4 mg daily.
In controlled trials conducted to establish the efficacy of alprazolam tablets in panic disorder, doses in the range of 1 to 10 mg daily were used.
The mean dosage employed was approximately 5 to 6 mg daily.
Among the approximately 1700 patients participating in the panic disorder development program, about 300 received alprazolam tablets in dosages of greater than 7 mg/day, including approximately 100 patients who received maximum dosages of greater than 9 mg/day.
Occasional patients required as much as 10 mg a day to achieve a successful response.
Treatment may be initiated with a dose of 0.5 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/day may be advisable to allow full expression of the pharmacodynamic effect of alprazolam tablets.
To lessen the possibility of interdose symptoms, the times of administration should be distributed as evenly as possible throughout the waking hours, that is, on a three or four times per day schedule.
Generally, therapy should be initiated at a low dose to minimize the risk of adverse responses in patients especially sensitive to the drug.
Dose should be advanced until an acceptable therapeutic response (ie, a substantial reduction in or total elimination of panic attacks) is achieved, intolerance occurs, or the maximum recommended dose is attained.
For patients receiving doses greater than 4 mg/day, periodic reassessment and consideration of dosage reduction is advised.
In a controlled postmarketing dose-response study, patients treated with doses of alprazolam tablets greater than 4 mg/day for 3 months were able to taper to 50% of their total maintenance dose without apparent loss of clinical benefit.
Because of the danger of withdrawal, abrupt discontinuation of treatment should be avoided.
(See WARNINGS, PRECAUTIONS, DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE.) The necessary duration of treatment for panic disorder patients responding to alprazolam tablets 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.
Because of the danger of withdrawal, abrupt discontinuation of treatment should be avoided (see WARNINGS, PRECAUTIONS, DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE).
In all patients, dosage should be reduced gradually when discontinuing therapy or when decreasing the daily dosage.
Although there are no systematically collected data to support a specific discontinuation schedule, it is suggested that the daily dosage be decreased by no more than 0.5 mg every three days.
Some patients may require an even slower dosage reduction.
In any case, reduction of dose must be undertaken under close supervision and must be gradual.
If significant withdrawal symptoms develop, the previous dosing schedule should be reinstituted and, only after stabilization, should a less rapid schedule of discontinuation be attempted.
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.
It is suggested that the dose be reduced by no more than 0.5 mg every 3 days, with the understanding that some patients may benefit from an even more gradual discontinuation.
Some patients may prove resistant to all discontinuation regimens.
In elderly patients, in patients with advanced liver disease or in patients with debilitating disease, the usual starting dose is 0.25 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 side effects occur at the recommended starting dose, the dose may be lowered.
Anxiety Disorders and Transient Symptoms of Anxiety: Panic Disorder: Dose Titration: Dose Maintenance: Dose Reduction: Dosing in Special Populations: