Gericalm Plus

Uses

Clonazepam (Oral) is used for:

Tablet:

• Anxiety disorders (Generalized, Phobic & Panic disorders)

• Insomnia and sleep disturbances

• Labile arterial hypertension

• Peri and Post menopausal anxiety (Anxiety in middle aged women)

• Burning Mouth Syndrome

• Peri and Post menopausal anxiety (Anxiety in middle aged women)

• Postoperative anxiety disorder

• Post traumatic stress disorder

• Anxiety in cancer patient (palliative treatment)

• Tension Headache

• Restless legs syndrome (RLS) or Wittmaack–Ekbom syndrome

• Nocturnal myoclonus

• Tourette's syndrome

• Bipolar affective disorder

• Resistant depression

• Drug-induced dyskinesia

• Choreiform movement

• Fulgurant pain

• Trigeminal neuralgia

• Epilespsy

Injection:

• Epilepsy

• Status epilepticus

• Myoclonic seizure

• Typical and atypical absences (Lennox-Gastaut syndrome)

• Infantile spasm

• Tonic-clonic seizure

• Partial seizure

• Absence seizure

• Focal seizure

Escitalopram is used for Depressive illness, Generalized anxiety disorder, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Social anxiety disorder

Gericalm Plus is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Akinetic seizures, Burning Mouth Syndrome, Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS), Mixed manic depressive episode, Panic Disorder, Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Disorder, Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), Tardive Dyskinesia (TD), Tremor, Essential, Acute Manic episode, Myoclonic seizures, Refractory absence SeizuresGeneralized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

How Gericalm Plus works

Gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is considered the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human body . When GABA binds to GABA(a) receptors found in neuron synapses, chloride ions are conducted across neuron cell membranes via an ion channel in the receptors . With enough chloride ions conducted, the local, associated neuron membrane potentials are hyperpolarized - making it more difficult or less likely for action potentials to fire, ultimately resulting in less excitation of the neurons .

Subsequently, benzodiazepines like clonazepam can bind to benzodiazepine receptors that are components of various varieties of GABA(a) receptors . This binding acts to enhance the effects of GABA by increasing GABA affinity for the GABA(a) receptor, which ultimately enhances GABA ligand binding at the receptors . This enhanced ligand binding of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA to the receptors increases the aforementioned chloride ion conduction (perhaps reportedly via an increase in the frequency of the chloride channel opening), resulting in a hyperpolarized cell membrane that prevents further excitation of the associated neuron cells . Combined with the notion that such benzodiazepine receptor associated GABA(a) receptors exist both peripherally and in the CNS, this activity consequently facilitates various effects like sedation, hypnosis, skeletal muscle relaxation, anticonvulsant activity, and anxiolytic action .

In particular, when out of the ordinary rapid and repetitive electrical signals are released in the CNS, it is proposed that the brain can become over-stimulated and ordinary functions are disrupted - resulting in seizure activity . By enhancing the neuro-inhibitory activity of GABA, it is believed that clonazepam can facilitate in decreasing any excessive electrical nerve activity in the CNS that might be contributing to seizures . Concurrently, it is also believed that clonazepam's actions in enhancing GABA effects may inhibit neuronal activity proposed to occur in amygdala-centered fear circuits - therefore assisting in the management of anxiety or panic .

Escitalopram, like other selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, enhances serotonergic activity by binding to the orthosteric (i.e. primary) binding site on the serotonin transporter (SERT), the same site to which endogenous 5-HT binds, and thus prevents the re-uptake of serotonin into the presynaptic neuron. Escitalopram, along with paroxetine, is also considered an allosteric serotonin re-uptake inhibitor - it binds to a secondary allosteric site on the SERT molecule to more strongly inhibit 5-HT re-uptake. Its combination of orthosteric and allosteric activity on SERT allows for greater extracellular 5-HT levels, a faster onset of action, and greater efficacy as compared to other SSRIs. The sustained elevation of synaptic 5-HT eventually causes desensitization of 5-HT_1A auto-receptors, which normally shut down endogenous 5-HT release in the presence of excess 5-HT - this desensitization may be necessary for the full clinical effect of SSRIs and may be responsible for their typically prolonged onset of action.

Escitalopram has shown little-to-no binding affinity at a number of other receptors, such as histamine and muscarinic receptors, and minor activity at these off-targets may explain some of its adverse effects.

Dosage

Gericalm Plus dosage

Tablet:

Infants and children

Initial dose: 0.01 - 0.03 mg/kg/day. Up to 1 year: 0.25 mg daily in divided dose, not to exceed 0.05 mg/kg/days increase gradually to 0.5 - 1 mg.

Increment dose: not more than 0.25 - 0.5 mg 1 - 5 years: 0.25 mg daily in divided dose, at intervals of 3 days increase to 1 - 3 mg.

Maintenance dose: 0.1 - 0.2 mg/kg/day. 5 - 12 years: 0.5 mg daily in divided dose,

Dosing interval: b.i.d. / t.i.d. increase to 3 - 6 mg.

Adults and elderly

Initial dose: 1 mg daily in divided dose (Elderly 0.5 mg), not to exceed 1.5 mg/day

Increment dose: 0.5 - 1 mg at intervals of 3 days

Maintenance dose: 4 - 8 mg/day

Maximum dose: 20 mg/day should be administered with caution

Dosing interval: b.i.d. / t.i.d.

Initial dose should be low and increased gradually to a maintenance dose that controls seizure without toxic effects. During discontinuation, the dose should be tapered.

Injection:

Infants and children: half of a vial (0.5 mg) by slow IV injection or by IV infusion. Adults: 1 vial (1 mg) by slow IV injection or by IV infusion. This dose can be repeated as required (1 - 4 mg are usually sufficient to reverse the status). In adults, the rate of injection must not exceed 0.25 - 0.5 mg per minute (0.5 – 1.0 mL of the prepared solution) and a total dose of 10 mg should not be exceeded.

Slow intravenous injection: The contents of the vial must be diluted with 1 mL of water for injection prior to administration so as to avoid local irritation of the veins. The injection solution should be prepared immediately before use. IV injection should be administered slowly with continuous monitoring of EEG, respiration and blood pressure.

Intravenous infusion: Clonazepam (the vial) can be diluted for infusion in a ratio of 1 vial (1 mg) to at least 85 mL diluting media. The diluting media can be any of the following: sodium chloride 0.9%; sodium chloride 0.45% + glucose 2.5%; glucose 5% or glucose 10%. These mixtures are stable for 24 hours at room temperature. Infusion bags other than PVC should be used for infusing Clonazepam. If PVC infusion bags are used then the mixture should be infused immediately or within 4 hours. The infusion time should not exceed 8 hours. Do not prepare Clonazepam infusions using sodium bicarbonate solution, as precipitation of the solution may occur.

Intramuscular injection: The IM route should be used only in exceptional cases or if IV administration is not feasible.

Adults: The initial dose of Escitalopram Oxalate is 10 mg once daily. (A fixed dose trial of Escitalopram Oxalate demonstrated the effectiveness of both 10 mg and 20 mg of Escitalopram Oxalate, but failed to demonstrate a greater benefit of 20 mg over 10 mg.)

If the dose is increased to 20 mg, this should occur after a minimum of one week.

Panic disorder: Adult over 18 years, initially 5 mg once daily increased to 10 mg daily after 7 days; max. 20 mg daily; elderly initially half adult dose, lower maintenance dose may be sufficient;

Social anxiety disorder: Adult over 18 years, initially 10 mg once daily adjusted after 2-4 weeks; usual dose 5-20 mg daily.

Elderly: A single oral dose of 10 mg/day is the recommended dose for most elderly patients. Administered in excess recommended dose has not been yet established.

Side Effects

Tablet:

The most frequently occurring side effects of clonazepam are referable to CNS depression, drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, muscle hypotonia, co-ordination disturbance, hypersalivation in infants, paradoxical aggression, irritability and mental change.

Injection:

Some side effects, like: fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness, somnolence, light-headedness, ataxia, restlessness, hypersalivation in infants, paradoxical aggression, reduced co-ordination may occur with Clonazepam therapy but these effects are transient and generally disappears in the course of the treatment. Respiratory depression may occur in patients with pre-existing airways obstruction, or brain damage, or if other medications which depress respiration have been given. As a rule, this effect can be avoided by careful adjustment of the dose to individual requirements.

Escitalopram is well tolerated by most people. The most commonly reported side-effects of Escitalopram are nausea, insomnia, problems with ejaculation, drowsiness, increased sweating and fatigue. Most of the side-effects experienced by patients taking Escitalopram are mild and go away with continued treatment and usually do not cause patients to stop taking Escitalopram.

Toxicity

Benzodiazepines like clonazepam commonly cause drowsiness, ataxia, dysarthria, and nystagmus. Overdose with clonazepam is generally not life-threatening if the drug is taken alone, but may lead to areflexia, apnea, hypotension, cardiorespiratory depression, and coma. Coma, if it does occur, usually lasts a few hours but it can become more protracted and cyclical, especially in elderly patients. Increased frequency of seizures may occur in patients at supratherapeutic plasma concentrations. Benzodiazepine respiratory depressant effects are more serious when compounded in patients with respiratory disease.

An increased risk of congenital malformations associated with the use of benzodiazepine drugs like clonazepam has been suggested in several studies . There may also be non-teratogenic risks associated with the use of benzodiazepines during pregnancy . There have been reports of neonatal flaccidity, respiratory and feeding difficulties, and hypothermia in children born to mothers who have been receiving benzodiazepines late in pregnancy . In addition, children born to mothers receiving benzodiazepines late in pregnancy may be at some risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms during the postnatal period . In general, it is best for patients who are of childbearing potential and also use benzodiazepines like clonazepam to discuss such matters with their health care professionals as careful consideration must be undertaken regarding the intersection of the risks of untreated seizure potential in the patient and any possible toxicity to the fetus .

Although the active ingredient of clonazepam has been found to pass into the maternal milk in small amounts only, mothers receiving clonazepam should not breast-feed their infants .

Since the possibility that adverse effects on the physical or mental development of the child could become apparent only after a number of years, the risk-benefit consideration of the long-term use of clonazepam in pediatric patients younger than five years of age is important .

The pharmacological effects of benzodiazepines like clonazepam appear to be greater in elderly patients than in younger patients even at similar plasma benzodiazepine concentrations, possibly because of age-related changes in drug-receptor interactions, post-receptor mechanisms, and organ function . In general elderly patients should be started on the lowest possible dose of clonazepam and observed closely . There is an increased risk for falls and fractures among elderly and debilitated benzodiazepine users . The risk is increased in those taking concomitant sedatives, including substances like benzodiazepines, alcoholic beverages, and so on .

Some oral LD50 values documented are >4000 mg/kg for the mouse model, >4000 mg/kg for the adult rat model, and >2000 mg/kg for the rabbit model .

Symptoms of overdose may include CNS effects (dizziness, convulsions, coma, somnolence), gastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting), and/or cardiac abnormalities (hypotension, tachycardia, ECG changes). There is no specific antidote for escitalopram overdose. Management of overdose should focus on monitoring for cardiac abnormalities and changes to vital signs as well as treatment with supportive measures as indicated. As escitalopram is highly distributed into tissue following oral administration, forced diuresis, dialysis, and other methods of extracting drug from plasma are unlikely to be beneficial.

Precaution

Tablet:

When used in patients in whom several different types of seizure disorders coexist, clonazepam may increase the incidence or precipitate the onset of generalized tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal). This may require the addition of appropriate anticonvulsants or an increase in their dosages. The concomitant use of valproic acid and clonazepam may produce absence status. Periodic blood counts and liver function tests are advisable during long term therapy with clonazepam.

The abrupt withdrawal of clonazepam, particularly in those patients on long-term, high-dose therapy, may precipitate status epilepticus. Therefore when discontinuing clonazepam, gradual withdrawal is essential.

Clonazepam may produce an increase in salivation. This should be considered before giving the drug to patients who have difficulty handling secretions. Because of this and the possibility of respiratory depression, clonazepam should be used with caution in patients with chronic respiratory diseases.

Because of the possibility that adverse effects on physical or mental development could become apparent only after many years, a benefit-risk consideration of the long-term use of clonazepam is important in pediatric patients.

Injection:

The concomitant use of Clonazepam with alcohol and CNS depressants should be avoided. Such concomitant use has the potential to increase the clinical effects of Clonazepam, such as: severe sedation, respiratory and cardiac depression. In some cases, dose adjustment of other medications is necessary. Clonazepam may produce an increase in salivation. This should be considered before giving the drug to patients who have difficulty handling secretions. Clonazepam is adviced to use with caution in patients with chronic respiratory diseases. Because of the possibility that adverse effects on physical or mental development could become apparent only after many years, a benefit-risk consideration of the long-term use of clonazepam is important in pediatric patients.

During marketing of escitalopram and other SSRIs and SNRIs (Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors), there have been spontaneous reports of adverse events occurring upon discontinuation of these drugs, particularly when abrupt, including the following: dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances (e.g., paresthesias such as electric shock sensations), anxiety, confusion, headache, lethargy, emotional lability, insomnia, and hypomania. While these events are generally self-limiting, there have been reports of serious discontinuation symptoms. Patients should be monitored for these symptoms when discontinuing treatment with escitalopram. A gradual reduction in the dose rather than abrupt cessation is recommended whenever possible. If intolerable symptoms occur following a decrease in the dose or upon discontinuation of treatment, then resuming the previously prescribed dose may be considered. Subsequently, the physician may continue decreasing the dose but at a more gradual rate.

Interaction

Interactions have been reported between some benzodiazepines and other anticonvulsants, with changes in the serum concentration of the benzodiazepine or anticonvulsant.

Escitalopram should not be started until 2 weeks after stopping an MAOI. Conversely, an MAOI should not be started until at least a week after escitalopram or related antidepressant has been stopped.

Volume of Distribution

Clonazepam distributes very rapidly to various organs and body tissues with preferential uptake by brain structures . The apparent volume of distribution has been documented as approximately 3 L/kg .

Escitalopram appears to distribute extensively into tissues, with an apparent volume of distribution of approximately 12-26 L/kg.

Elimination Route

Clonazepam is rapidly and almost entirely absorbed after oral administration as tablets . Peak plasma concentrations of clonazepam administered by the oral route are reached within 1-4 hours and the associated absorption half-life is about 25 minutes . The absolute bioavailability is approximately 90% - but with substantially large differences between individuals .

Absorption of escitalopram following oral administration is expected to be almost complete, with an estimated absolute bioavailability of approximately 80%. T_max occurs after about 4-5 hours. C_max and AUC appear to follow dose proportionality - at steady state, patients receiving 10mg of escitalopram daily had a C_max of 21 ng/mL and a 24h AUC of approximately 360 ng*h/mL, while patients receiving 30mg daily had a roughly 3-fold increase in both C_max and 24h AUC, comparatively.

Half Life

The mean elimination half-life determined for clonazepam is independent of the dose given and has been documented as being about 30-40 hours .

The elimination half-life of escitalopram is 27-32 hours, though this is increased by approximately 50% in the elderly and doubled in patients with reduced hepatic function. The elimination half-life of escitalopram's primary metabolite, S-desmethylcitalopram, is approximately 54 hours at steady state.

Clearance

The documented clearance for clonazepam is approximately 55 ml/min regardless of gender . Nevertheless, clearance values normalized by weight decline with increasing body weight .

The oral plasma clearance of escitalopram is 600 mL/min, of which approximately 7% is due to renal clearance.

Elimination Route

Approximately 50-70% of a clonazepam dose is excreted in the urine and 10-30% is excreted in the feces as metabolites . The excretion of unchanged clonazepam in the urine is typically less than 2% of the administered dose . Metabolites of clonazepam are present in urine as both free and conjugated (glucuronide and sulfate) compounds .

After oral administration of escitalopram, approximately 8% of the total dose is eliminated in the urine as unchanged escitalopram and 10% is eliminated in the urine as S-desmethylcitalopram. The apparent hepatic clearance of escitalopram amounts to approximately 90% of the total dose.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

The use of clonazepam during pregnancy or lactation should be avoided. Clonazepam is excreted into the breast milk and should therefore be avoided in breast-feeding mothers.

Pregnancy: The safety of escitalopram during pregnancy and lactation has not been established. Therefore, escitalopram should not be used during pregnancy unless, in the opinion of the physician, the expected benefits to the patient outweigh the possible hazards to the fetus.

Nursing Mothers: Escitalopram is excreted in human milk. Escitalopram should not be given to nursing mothers unless, in the opinion of the physician, the expected benefits to the patient outweigh the possible hazards to the child

Contraindication

Clonazepam should not be used in patients with a history of sensitivity to benzodiazepine, nor in patients with clinical or biochemical evidence of significant liver disease. It may be used in patients with open angle glaucoma who are receiving appropriate therapy, but is contraindicated in acute narrow angle glaucoma.

Concomitant use in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) is contraindicated. Concomitant use in patients taking pimozide is contraindicated. Esita is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to escitalopram or citalopram or any of the inactive ingredients.

Special Warning

Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness in children below the age of 18 years have not been established.

Geriatric patients: Escitalopram pharmocokinetics in subjects age 65 and over were compared to younger subjects in a single and multi-dose study. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness between this group and the younger subjects was observed, but greater sensitivity of some elderly individuals ca

Acute Overdose

Tablet:

Symptoms of clonazepam overdosage, like those produced by other CNS depressants, include somnolence, confusion, coma and diminished reflexes.

Injection:

Symptoms of Clonazepam overdosage, like those produced by other CNS depressants, include: somnolence, confusion, coma and diminished reflexes.

Storage Condition

Store at 25°C.

Store in a cool and dry place below 30º C. Protect from light.

Innovators Monograph

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