As with other benzodiazepines, overdose should not present a threat to life unless combined with other CNS depressants (including alcohol). In the management of overdose with any medicinal product, it should be borne in mind that multiple agents have been taken.
Following overdose with oral benzodiazepines, vomiting may be induced (within 1 hour) if the patient is conscious or gastric lavage undertaken with the airway protected if the patient is unconscious. If there is no advantage in emptying the stomach, activated charcoal should be given to reduce absorption.
Special attention should be paid to respiratory and cardiovascular functions in intensive care.
Overdose of benzodiazepines is usually manifested by degrees of central nervous system depression ranging from drowsiness to coma. In mild cases, symptoms include drowsiness, mental confusion and lethargy, in more serious cases, symptoms may include ataxia, hypotonia, hypotension, respiratory depression, rarely coma and very rarely death.
Flumazenil may be useful as an antidote.
Not applicable.
Adverse events, if they occur, are generally observed at the beginning of therapy and usually disappear upon continued medication or decreased dosage.
The following undesirable effects have been observed and reported during treatment with alprazolam with the following frequencies: Very common (>1/10); common (>1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (>1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (>1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
| MedDRA System Organ Class | Frequency | Undesirable Effects |
| Endocrine disorders | Not known | Hyperprolactinaemia* |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | Common | Decreased appetite |
| Psychiatric disorders | Very common | Depression |
| Common | Confusional state, disorientation, libido decreased, anxiety, insomnia, nervousness, libido increased* | |
| Uncommon | Mania* , hallucination*, anger*, agitation* | |
| Not known | Hypomania*, aggression*, hostility*, thinking abnormal*, psychomotor hyperactivity* | |
| Nervous system disorders | Very common | Sedation, somnolence, ataxia, memory impairment, dysarthria, dizziness, headache |
| Common | Balance disorder, coordination abnormal, disturbance in attention, hypersomnia, lethargy, tremor | |
| Uncommon | Amnesia | |
| Not Known | Autonomic nervous system imbalance*, dystonia* | |
| Eye disorders | Common | Vision blurred |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | Very common | Constipation, dry mouth |
| Common | Nausea | |
| Not known | Gastrointestinal disorder* | |
| Hepatobiliary disorders | Not known | Hepatitis*, hepatic function abnormal*, jaundice* |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Common | Dermatitis* |
| Not Known | Angioedema*, photosensitivity reaction* | |
| Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | Uncommon | Muscular weakness |
| Renal and urinary disorders | Uncommon | Incontinence* |
| Not known | Urinary retention* | |
| Reproductive system and breast disorders | Common | Sexual dysfunction* |
| Uncommon | Menstruation irregular* | |
| General disorders and administration site conditions | Very common | Fatigue, irritability |
| Not Known | Oedema peripheral* | |
| Investigations | Common | Weight increased, weight decreased |
| Not known | Intraocular pressure increased* |
* ADR identified post-marketing
Withdrawal symptoms have occurred following rapid decrease or abrupt discontinuance of benzodiazepines including alprazolam. These can range from mild dysphoria and insomnia to a major syndrome, which may include abdominal and muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, tremor and convulsions. In addition, withdrawal seizures have occurred upon rapid decrease or abrupt discontinuation of therapy with alprazolam.
Amnesia
Anterograde amnesia may occur at therapeutic dosages, the risk increasing at higher dosages. Amnesic effects may be associated with inappropriate behaviour.
Depression
Pre-existing depression may be unmasked during benzodiazepine use.
Psychiatric and paradoxical reactions
Reactions like restlessness, agitation, irritability, aggressiveness, delusion, rages, nightmares, hallucinations, psychoses, inappropriate behaviour and other adverse behavioural effects are known to occur when using benzodiazepines or benzodiazepine-like agents. They may be quite severe with this product. They are more likely to occur in children and the elderly.
In many of the spontaneous case reports of adverse behavioural effects, patients were receiving other CNS drugs concomitantly and/or were described as having underlying psychiatric conditions. Patients who have borderline personality disorder, a prior history of violent or aggressive behaviour, or alcohol or substance abuse may be at risk of such events. Instances of irritability, hostility and intrusive thoughts have been reported during discontinuance of alprazolam in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Dependence
Use (even at therapeutic doses) may lead to the development of physical dependence: discontinuation of the therapy may result in withdrawal or rebound phenomena. Psychic dependence may occur. Abuse of benzodiazepines has been reported.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of genotoxicity and carcinogenic potential.
When rats were treated orally with alprazolam for 2 years, a tendency for a dose related increase in the number of cataracts (females) and corneal vascularization (males) was observed. These lesions did not appear until after 11 months of treatment.
In reproductive toxicity studies administration of alprazolam in rats and rabbits is associated at very high doses with developmental delay and an increased incidence of fetal death and skeletal malformations. In fertility studies, treatment of male rats at high doses prior to mating resulted in a decrease in the percentage of dams conceiving.
Helex is indicated for the short-term treatment of moderate or severe anxiety states and anxiety associated with depression. It is only indicated when the disorder is severe, disabling or subjecting the individual to extreme distress.
Helex should not be used to treat short-term mild anxiety, such as anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life. As the efficacy of Helex in depression and in phobic or obsessional states has yet to be established, specific treatment may have to be considered.
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Benzodiazepine derivatives, ATC code: N05BA12
Alprazolam, like other benzodiazepines, has a high affinity for the benzodiazepine binding site in the brain. It facilitates the inhibitory neurotransmitter action of gamma-aminobutyric acid, which mediates both pre- and post synaptic inhibition in the central nervous system (CNS).
Alprazolam is readily absorbed. Following oral administration peak concentration in the plasma occurs after 1 - 2 hours.
The mean half-life is 12 - 15 hours. Repeated dosage may lead to accumulation and this should be borne in mind in elderly patients and those with impaired renal or hepatic function. Alprazolam and its metabolites are excreted primarily in the urine.
In vitro alprazolam is bound (80%) to human serum protein.
Renal and hepatic impairment
Caution is recommended when treating patients with impaired renal function or mild to moderate hepatic insufficiency.
Depression/anxiety
In patients presenting with major depression or anxiety associated with depression benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-like agents should not be prescribed alone to treat depression as they may precipitate or increase the risk of suicide. Therefore alprazolam should be used with caution and the prescription size should be limited in patients with signs and symptoms of a depressive disorder or suicidal tendencies.
Paediatric population
Safety and efficacy of alprazolam have not been established in children and adolescents below the age of 18 years; therefore use of alprazolam is not recommended.
Elderly patients
Benzodiazepines and related products should be used with caution in elderly, due to the risk of sedation and / or musculoskeletal weakness that can promote falls, often with serious consequences in this population.
It is recommended that general principle of using the lowest effective dose to be followed in elderly and /or debilitated patients to preclude development of ataxia or over-sedation. A lower dose is also recommended for patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency due to risk of respiratory depression.
Benzodiazepines should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of alcohol or drug abuse.
Risk from concomitant use of opioids
Concomitant use of Helex and opioids may result in sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. Because of these risks, concomitant prescribing of sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs such as Helex with opioids should be reserved for patients for whom alternative treatment options are not possible.
The patients should be followed closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation. In this respect, it is strongly recommended to inform patients and their environment to be aware of these symptoms.
Dependence
Use of benzodiazepines may lead to the development of physical and psychic dependence upon these products. The risk of dependence increases with dose and duration of treatment; it is also greater in patients with a history of alcohol and drug abuse. Pharmacodependency may occur at therapeutic doses and/or in patients with no individualised risk factor. There is an increased risk of pharmacodependency with the combined use of several benzodiazepines regardless of the anxiolytic or hypnotic indication. Cases of abuse have also been reported.
Withdrawal symptoms: Once physical dependence has developed, abrupt termination of treatment will be accompanied by withdrawal symptoms. These may consist of headaches, muscle pain, extreme anxiety, tension, restlessness, confusion, irritability and insomnia. In severe cases the following symptoms may occur: derealisation, depersonalisation, hyperacusis, numbness and tingling of the extremities, hypersensitivity to light, noise and physical contact, hallucinations or epileptic seizures.
During discontinuation of alprazolam treatment, the dosage should be reduced slowly in keeping with good medical practice. It is suggested that the daily dosage of alprazolam be decreased by no more than 0.5 mg every three days. Some patients may require even slower dosage reduction.
Rebound insomnia and anxiety: a transient syndrome whereby the symptoms that led to treatment with a benzodiazepine recur in an enhanced form may occur on withdrawal of treatment. It may be accompanied by other reactions including mood changes, anxiety or sleep disturbances and restlessness. Since the risk of withdrawal phenomena/rebound phenomena is greater after abrupt discontinuation of treatment, it is recommended that the dosage be decreased gradually by no more than 0.5 mg every three days. Some patients may require an even slower dose reduction.
Duration of treatment
The duration of treatment should be as short as possible depending on the indication, but should not exceed eight to twelve weeks including tapering off process. Extension beyond these periods should not take place without re-evaluation of the situation.
It may be useful to inform the patient when treatment is started that it will be of limited duration and to explain precisely how the dosage will be progressively decreased. Moreover it is important that the patient should be aware of the possibility of rebound phenomena, thereby minimising anxiety over such symptoms should they occur while the medicinal product is being discontinued. There are indications, that in the case of benzodiazepines with a short duration of action, withdrawal phenomena can become manifest within the dosage interval, especially when the dosage is high. When benzodiazepines with a long duration of action are being used it is important to warn against changing to a benzodiazepine with a short duration of action, as withdrawal symptoms may develop.
Amnesia
Benzodiazepines may induce anterograde amnesia. The condition occurs most often several hours after ingesting the product and therefore to reduce the risk patients should ensure that they will be able to have uninterrupted sleep of 7-8 hours.
Psychiatric and paradoxical reactions
Reactions like restlessness, agitation, irritability, aggressiveness, delusion, rages, nightmares, hallucinations, psychoses, inappropriate behaviour and other adverse behavioural effects are known to occur when using benzodiazepines. Should this occur, use of the medicinal product should be discontinued. They are more likely to occur in children and the elderly.
Tolerance
Some loss of efficacy to the hypnotic effects of benzodiazepines may develop after repeated use for a few weeks.
Episodes of hypomania and mania have been reported in association with the use of alprazolam in patients with depression.
Benzodiazepines are not recommended for the primary treatment of psychotic illness.
Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.
Sedation, amnesia, impaired concentration and impaired muscle function may adversely affect the ability to drive and use machines. If insufficient sleep occurs, the likelihood of impaired alertness may be increased.
These effects are potentiated by alcohol.
Patients should be cautioned about operating motor vehicles or engaging in other dangerous activities while taking Helex.
This medicine can impair cognitive function and can affect a patient's ability to drive safely. This class of medicine is in the list of drugs included in regulations under 5a of the Road Traffic Act 1988. When prescribing this medicine, patients should be told:
- The medicine is likely to affect your ability to drive
- Do not drive until you know how the medicine affects you
- It is an offence to drive while under the influence of this medicine
- However, you would not be committing an offence (called 'statutory defence') if:
o The medicine has been prescribed to treat a medical or dental problem and
o You have taken it according to the instructions given by the prescriber and in the information provided with the medicine and
o It was not affecting your ability to drive safely
Posology
Anxiety
250 micrograms (0.25 mg) to 500 micrograms (0.5 mg) three times daily, increasing if required to a total of 3 mg daily.
The elderly or in the presence of debilitating disease
250 micrograms (0.25 mg) two to three times daily to be gradually increased if needed and tolerated.
If side-effects occur, the dose should be lowered. It is advisable to review treatment regularly and to discontinue use as soon as possible. Should longer term treatment be necessary, then intermittent treatment may be considered to minimize the risk of dependence.
Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of alprazolam in children and adolescents below the age of 18 years have not been established. No data are available.
Method of administration
For oral use.
Treatment should be as short as possible. It is recommended that the patient be reassessed at the end of no longer than 4 weeks of treatment and the need for continued treatment established, especially in case the patient is symptom free. The overall duration of treatment should not be more than 8-12 weeks, including a tapering off process.
In certain cases extension beyond the maximum treatment period may be necessary; if so, it should not take place without re-evaluation of the patient's status with special expertise. As with all benzodiazepines, physicians should be aware that long-term use might lead to dependence in certain patients.
The optimum dosage of Helex should be based upon the severity of the symptoms and individual patient response. The lowest dose which can control symptoms should be used. Dosage should be reassessed at intervals of no more than 4 weeks. The usual dosage is stated below; in the few patients who require higher doses, the dosage should be increased cautiously to avoid adverse effects. When higher dosage is required, the evening dose should be increased before the daytime doses. In general, patients who have not previously received psychotropic medications will require lower doses than those so treated, or those with a history of chronic alcoholism.
Treatment should always be tapered off gradually. During discontinuation of alprazolam treatment, the dosage should be reduced slowly in keeping with good medical practice. It is suggested that the daily dosage of alprazolam be decreased by no more than 0.5 mg every three days. Some patients may require an even slower dosage reduction.
Elderly patients
There is a reduced clearance of the drug and, as with other benzodiazepines, an increased sensitivity to the drug in elderly patients.
No special requirements for disposal.
