Azo O

Uses

• * Anxiety disorder
• * Short term relief of anxiety
• * Anxiety associated with depression
• * Panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia.

Each film coated MUPS tablet contains 20 mg Omeprazole enteric coated micro pellets

Omeprazole (Multiple-Unit Pellet System) is indixated in-

• Duodenal and Gastric ulcers
• NSAID-induced gastric and duodenal ulcers
• Reflux Oesophagitis
• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
• Eradication of H. pylori with appropriate antibiotics
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

MUPS is abbreviation for Multiple-Unit Pellet System. However, from pharmaceutical industry and research perspective, the term in general refers to MUPS compacted into tablets. Thus, the resulting tablets prepared by compaction of modified release coated multiparticulates or pellets are called as MUPS. It is the more recent and challenging technology that combines the advantages of both tablets and pellet filled capsules in one dosage form.

MUPS ensure rapid and uniform gastric emptying and subsequently uniform drug dissolution of pellets in the gastrointestinal tract due to their small size and larger surface, uniform drug absorption is facilitated which results in consistent and controlled pharmacological action.

A further reduction in inter- and intra-subject variability in drug absorption and clinical response is facilitated since the number of pellets per MUPS dosage form is much more than a conventional pellet-filled capsule and possibility of dose dumping(in stomach) and incomplete drug release is further minimized.

Azo O is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic DisorderAnkylosing Spondylitis (AS), Duodenal Ulcer, Erosive Esophagitis, Gastric Ulcer, Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Healing, Heartburn, Helicobacter Pylori Infection, NSAID Associated Gastric Ulcers, Osteoarthritis (OA), Rheumatoid Arthritis, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, Hypersecretory conditions, Multiple endocrine adenomas

How Azo O works

Alprazolam is a triazolobenzodiazepine used to treat certain anxiety and panic disorders. Alprazolam acts on benzodiazepine receptors BNZ-1 and BNZ-2. The active metabolites 4-hydroxyalprazolam acts on these receptors with 0.20 times the potency of alprazolam and alpha-hydroxyalprazolam acts on these receptors with 0.66 times the potency.

The effect of alprazolam on BNZ-1 mediates the sedation and anti-anxiety effects of the drug while the action on BNZ-2 mediates effects on memory, coordination, muscle relaxation, and anticonvulsive activity.

Alprazolam also couple with GABA-A receptors to enhance GABA binding to its receptor. This interaction mediates inhibition of the nervous system and results in a calming effect.

The molecular mechanisms as well as the clinical effects of alprazolam have both been well demonstrated, however the means by which the molecular mechanism translates to a clinical effect is still not understood.

Hydrochloric acid (HCl) secretion into the gastric lumen is a process regulated mainly by the H(+)/K(+)-ATPase of the proton pump , expressed in high quantities by the parietal cells of the stomach. ATPase is an enzyme on the parietal cell membrane that facilitates hydrogen and potassium exchange through the cell, which normally results in the extrusion of potassium and formation of HCl (gastric acid) .

Omeprazole is a member of a class of antisecretory compounds, the substituted benzimidazoles, that stop gastric acid secretion by selective inhibition of the H+/K+ ATPase enzyme system. Proton-pump inhibitors such as omeprazole bind covalently to cysteine residues via disulfide bridges on the alpha subunit of the H+/K+ ATPase pump, inhibiting gastric acid secretion for up to 36 hours . This antisecretory effect is dose-related and leads to the inhibition of both basal and stimulated acid secretion, regardless of the stimulus .

Mechanism of H. pylori eradication

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is frequently associated with Helicobacter pylori bacterial infection (NSAIDs) . The treatment of H. pylori infection may include the addition of omeprazole or other proton pump inhibitors as part of the treatment regimen , . H. pylori replicates most effectively at a neutral pH . Acid inhibition in H. pylori eradication therapy, including proton-pump inhibitors such as omeprazole, raises gastric pH, discouraging the growth of H.pylori . It is generally believed that proton pump inhibitors inhibit the urease enzyme, which increases the pathogenesis of H. pylori in gastric-acid related conditions .

Dosage

Azo O dosage

Treatment should be initiated with a dose of 0.25 to 0.5 mg three times daily. Depending on the response, dose may

be increased at intervals of 3 to 4 days in increments of no more than 1 mg per day. The maximum dose should not

exceed 4 mg/day. Occasional patients with panic disorder may need as much as 10 mg a day to achieve a

successful response and in these cases periodic reassessment and consideration of dosage adjustment is required.

Dosage should be individualized for maximum beneficial effect with a lowest possible dose. If side-effects occur at

starting dose, dose may be lowered. When discontinuing therapy, dosage should be reduced gradually by no more

than 0.5 mg every three days.

In elderly patients or in patients with advanced liver disease, the usual starting dose is 0.25 mg, two or three times

daily and may be gradually increased if needed and tolerated. Safety and effectiveness of Alprazolam in individuals

below 18 years of age have not been established.

Alprazolam XR 1 should be administered once daily, preferably in the morning by patients who are on multiple dosage

regimen of Alprazolam 0.25/0.5 mg. The tablets should be taken intact, they should not be chewed, crushed, or broken.

Adult:

• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease):20 mg Once daily for 4 weeks
• Gastric ulcer:20 mg Once daily for 4-8 weeks; in severe cases Twice daily
• Duodenal ulcer:20 mg Once daily for 2-4 weeks; in severe cases Twice daily
• NSAID-induced ulceration:20 mg Once daily for 4-8 weeks
• Reflux esophagitis:20 mg Once daily for 4-8 weeks; in severe cases Twice daily
• H. pylori eradication (Omeprazole MUPS tablet with Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin or Metronidazole):20 mg Twice daily for 1 week
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome:60 mg Once daily; Usual maintenance, 20-120mg daily

Children:

• Acid regurgitation in GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease):20 mg Once daily for 2-4 week
• Reflux esophagitis:20 mg Once daily for 4-8 weeks

Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. The tablet must not be chewed or crushed. OR

If the patients have trouble swallowing the tablets, put the tablet into a glass of water (Do not use other liquids). Stir the preparation until the tablets disintegrate. Then drink the liquid within 30 minutes. Stir the mixture just always before drinking.

Side Effects

Side effects, if occur, are generally observed at the beginning of therapy and usually disappear upon continued medication. The most frequent side effects are drowsiness and light headedness. The other side effects, that may occur include depression, headache, confusion, dry mouth, constipation etc.

Toxicity

Alprazolam overdose can present as sleepiness, confusion, poor coordination, slow reflexes, coma, and death. Taking alprazolam with alcohol lowers the threshold for overdose. Patients should have their respiration, pulse, and blood pressure monitored. Patients can be treated by gastric lavage and intravenous fluids.. If hypotension occurs, patients may be treated with vasopressors. In known, or suspected overdoses, patients can be given the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist flumazenil in addition to other methods of management.

Oral LD50 in rats is 331-2171mg/kg.

Alprazolam is a pregnancy category D teratogen meaning there is evidence of risk to the fetus of a mother taking alprazolam but in some cases the benefit may outweigh the risk. Children born to these mothers are also at risk of withdrawal symptoms, flaccidity, and respiratory issues.

Benzodiazepines are expressed in human breast milk and so nursing is generally not recommended in mothers taking alprazolam.

Alprazolam is not associated with carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or impairment of fertility.

Oral acute (LD50): 4000 mg/kg (mouse), 2210 mg/kg (rat) .

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose include confusion, drowsiness, blurred vision, tachycardia, nausea, diaphoresis, flushing, headache, and dry mouth.

Carcinogenesis and mutagenesis

In 24-month studies in rats, a dose-related significant increase in gastric carcinoid tumors and ECL cell hyperplasia was seen in male and female animals. Carcinoid tumors have also been found in rats treated with a fundectomy or long-term treatment with other proton pump inhibitors, or high doses of H2-receptor antagonists .

Omeprazole showed positive clastogenic effects in an in vitro human lymphocyte chromosomal aberration study, in one of two in vivo mouse micronucleus tests, and in an in vivo bone marrow cell chromosomal aberration test. Omeprazole tested negative in the in vitro Ames test, an in vitro mouse lymphoma cell forward mutation assay, and an in vivo rat liver DNA damage assay .

The use in breastfeeding

Limited data indicate that omeprazole may be present in human milk. There is currently no information on the effects of omeprazole on the breastfed infant or production of milk. The benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the level of need for omeprazole and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from omeprazole .

Effects on fertility

Effects of omeprazole at oral doses up to 138 mg/kg/day in rats (about 34 times an oral human dose) was found to have no impact on fertility and reproductive performance .

Precaution

Because Alprazolam may produce psychological and physical dependence, increment of dose or abrupt discontinuation of Alprazolam therapy should not be done without physician's advice. Duration of therapy must be determined by the physicians. Alprazolam should be administered with caution to patients with hepatic or renal disease, chronic pulmonary insufficiency or sleep apnea.

Omeprazole tablet should be used carefully if the patient has severe liver dysfunction and severe renal impairment.

Interaction

Alprazolam produces additive CNS depressant effects when co-administered with other psychotropic medications, anticonvulsants, antihistaminics, ethanol and other drugs which themselves produce CNS depression.

Omeprazole is metabolized through CYP2C19 . When starting or stopping treatment with Omeprazole should be taken into account potential interactions with medicines which are CYP2C19 metabolized.

Volume of Distribution

Volume of distribution following oral administration is 0.8-1.3L/kg. Alprazolam crosses the blood-brain barrier.

Approximately 0.3 L/kg, corresponding to the volume of extracellular water .

Elimination Route

Oral bioavailability of a standard release tablet of alprazolam is 84-91% with a time to maximum concentration of 1.8 hours. A 1mg oral dose of alprazolam leads to a maximum plasma concentration of 12-22mcg/L. Alprazolam is rapidly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract.

Data for the area under the curve and the effect of taking alprazolam with food are not readily available.

Omeprazole delayed-release capsules contain an enteric-coated granule formulation of omeprazole (because omeprazole is acid-labile), so that absorption of omeprazole begins only after the granules exit the stomach .

Absorption of omeprazole occurs rapidly, with peak plasma concentrations of omeprazole achieved within 0.5-3.5 hours .

Absolute bioavailability (compared with intravenous administration) is approximately 30-40% at doses of 20-40 mg, largely due to pre-systemic metabolism. The bioavailability of omeprazole increases slightly upon repeated administration of omeprazole delayed-release capsules .

Half Life

11.2 hours in healthy patients. The half life is 16.3h in the elderly, 5.8-65.3h in patients with alcoholic liver disease, 9.9-40.4h in obese patients. The half life is 25% higher in Asian patients compared to Caucasians. Other studies have shown the half life to be 9-16h.

0.5-1 hour (healthy subjects, delayed-release capsule)
Approximately 3 hours (hepatic impairment)

Clearance

Oral clearance is 0.90±0.21mL/min/kg but this increases to 2.13±0.54mL/min/kg when given with CYP3A inducers. Other studies have demonstrated a clearance of 0.70-1.5mL/min/kg.

Healthy subject (delayed release capsule), total body clearance 500 - 600 mL/min

Geriatric plasma clearance: 250 mL/min

Hepatic impairment plasma clearance: 70 mL/min

Elimination Route

Alprazolam is mainly eliminated in the urine. A large portion of the dose is eliminated as unmetabolized alprazolam. 2

After a single dose oral dose of a buffered solution of omeprazole, negligible (if any) amounts of unchanged drug were excreted in urine. Most of the dose (about 77%) was eliminated in urine as at least six different metabolites. Two metabolites were identified as hydroxyomeprazole and the corresponding carboxylic acid. The remainder of the dose was found in the feces. This suggests significant biliary excretion of omeprazole metabolites. Three metabolites have been identified in the plasma, the sulfide and sulfone derivatives of omeprazole, and hydroxyomeprazole. These metabolites possess minimal or no antisecretory activity .

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy: Alprazolam has been categorized in pregnancy category D; that means, it should be avoided in pregnancy.

Lactation: Like other benzodiazepines, Alprazolam is assumed to be excreted in breast milk. Therefore, nursing should not be undertaken by mothers who must use Alprazolam.

Not known to be harmful. Omeprazole can be used during pregnancy. Omeprazole is excreted in breast milk but is not likely to influence the child when therapeutic doses are used.

Contraindication

Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to alprazolam or other benzodiazepines. Alprazolam is also contraindicated in patients with myasthenia gravis, acute narrow angle glaucoma, during pregnancy and also in infants.

Omeprazole is contraindicated in those patients who have known hypersensitivity to any other components of the formulation.

Special Warning

Use in Children: Safety and efficacy of Alprazolam in patients under the age of 18 years has not been established.

Acute Overdose

Manifestations of Alprazolam over dosage include somnolence, confusion, impaired coordination, diminished reflexes and coma. In such cases of over dosage general supportive measures should be employed along with immediate gastric lavage.

Storage Condition

Alprazolam tablets should be stored in a cool and dry place, protected from light and moisture.

Store in a cool (below 30° C) and dry place, protected from light and moisture.

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