Equicalm

Uses

Chlordiazepoxide is a benzodiazepine used to treat the withdrawal symptoms of acute alcoholism, to treat preoperative anxiety, and to treat anxiety over a short term period.

For the management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety, withdrawal symptoms of acute alcoholism, and preoperative apprehension and anxiety.

Anxiety states: It controls excessive anxiety, tension, and agitation seen in neuroses or associated with somatic conditions. The treatment or prevention of nausea and vomiting of various causes. The management of psychotic disorders, such as acute or chronic catatonic, hebephrenic and paranoid schizophrenia; psychosis due to organic brain damage, toxic psychosis, and the manic phase of manic-depressive illness.

Equicalm is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome, Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Peptic Ulcer Disease, Acute Anxiety, Pyschosomatic diseaseAgitation, Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Acute non-psychotic Anxiety

How Equicalm works

Chlordiazepoxide binds to stereospecific benzodiazepine (BZD) binding sites on GABA (A) receptor complexes at several sites within the central nervous system, including the limbic system and reticular formation. This results in an increased binding of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA to the GABA(A) receptor. BZDs, therefore, enhance GABA-mediated chloride influx through GABA receptor channels, causing membrane hyperpolarization. The net neuro-inhibitory effects result in the observed sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, and muscle relaxant properties.

Trifluoperazine blocks postsynaptic mesolimbic dopaminergic D1 and D2 receptors in the brain; depresses the release of hypothalamic and hypophyseal hormones and is believed to depress the reticular activating system thus affecting basal metabolism, body temperature, wakefulness, vasomotor tone, and emesis.

Dosage

Equicalm dosage

Schizophrenia and other psychoses:

• Adults and child over 12 years: Recommended starting dose is 2-5 mg b.i.d, increased by 5 mg daily after 1 week then at interval of 3 days, according to response.
• Children (6-12 years): Dosage should be adjusted to the weight of the child and severity of the symptoms. The starting dosage is 1 mg b.i.d. Dosage may be increased gradually until symptoms are controlled or until side effects become troublesome. While it is usually not necessary to exceed dosages of 15 mg daily.
• Elderly: Reduce initial dose by at least half

Short-term management of severe anxiety:

• Adult and child over 12 years: 1-2 mg b.i.d, increased if necessary to 6 mg daily.
• Child (3-5 years): 1 mg daily
• Child (6-12 years): Up to 4 mg daily in divided dose.
• Elderly: Reduce initial dose by at least half

Antiemetic:

• Adult: 2-4 mg daily in divided doses; max. 6 mg daily;
• Child 3-5 years: up to 1 mg daily, 6-12 years up to 4 mg daily.

Side Effects

Common side effects are transient restlessness, dystonias or may resemble parkinsonism. Other CNS Reactions are drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, seizures. Without these Peripheral oedema, blood dyscrasias, jaundice may occasionally occur. Tachycardia, constipation, urinary hesitancy and retention and hyperpyrexia have been reported very rarely.

Toxicity

LD₅₀=537 mg/kg (Orally in rats). Signs of overdose include respiratory depression, muscle weakness, somnolence (general depressed activity).

Symptoms of overdose include agitation, coma, convulsions, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, extreme sleepiness, fever, intestinal blockage, irregular heart rate, low blood pressure, and restlessness.

Precaution

Care should be taken when treating elderly patients, and initial dosage should be reduced. Such patients can be specially sensitive, particularly to extra pyramidal and hypotensive effects. Patients with cardiovascular disease including arrhythmias should also be treated with caution. Care should be taken in patients with angina pectoris.

Interaction

Trifluoperazine may diminish the effect of oral anticoagulants. Concomitant administration of propranolol with trifluoperazine results in increased plasma levels of both drugs. Antihypertensive effects of guanethidine and related compounds may be counteracted when phenothiazines are used concurrently. Potentiation may occur if antipsychotic drugs are combined with CNS depressants such as alcohol. hypnotics and anticonvulsant.

Half Life

24-48 hours

10-20 hours

Elimination Route

Chlordiazepoxide is excreted in the urine, with 1% to 2% unchanged and 3% to 6% as conjugate.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy: Safety for the use of trifluoperazine during pregnancy has not been established. Therefore, it is not recommended that the drug be given to pregnant patients except when, in the judgement of the physician, it is essential. The potential benefits should clearly outweigh possible hazards. There are reported instances of prolonged jaundices, extrapyramidal signs, hyperreflexia or hypoflexia in newborn infants whose mother received phenothiazines.

Lactation: Adequate human data are not available in case of lactation.

Contraindication

Do not use Trifluoperazine in comatose patients, or in those with existing blood dyscrasias or known liver damage, or in those hypersensitive to the active ingredient or related compounds.

Acute Overdose

Signs and symptoms will be predominantly extrapyramidal; hypotension may occur. Treatment consists of gastric lavage together with supportive and symptomatic measures. Do not induce vomiting. Extra pyramidal symptoms may be treated with an anticholinergic, antiparkinsonism drug. Treat hypotension with fluid replacement; if severe or persistent. nor adrenaline may be considered. Adrenaline is contraindicated.

Storage Condition

It should be store at room temperature between 15-30° C away from light and moisture.

Innovators Monograph

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