Zapenia Tablet 25 mg

Uses

Schizophrenia in patients unresponsive to, or intolerant of, conventional antipsychotic drugs.Psychosis in Parkinson's disease.

Zapenia Tablet 25 mg is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Suicidal Behaviour, Treatment-resistant Schizophrenia, Advanced dopaminomimetic psychosis

How Zapenia Tablet 25 mg works

Zapenia Tablet 25 mg's antipsychotic action is likely mediated through a combination of antogistic effects at D2 receptors in the mesolimbic pathway and 5-HT2A receptors in the frontal cortex. D2 antagonism relieves positive symptoms while 5-HT2A antagonism alleviates negative symptoms.

Dosage

Zapenia Tablet 25 mg dosage

Schizophrenia:

Adult over 16 years, 12.5 mg once or twice (elderly 12.5 mg once) on first day then 25-50 mg (elderly 25-37.5 mg) on second day then increased gradually (if well tolerated) in steps of 25-50 mg daily (elderly max. increment 25 mg daily) over 14-21 days up to 300 mg daily in divided doses (larger dose at night, up to 200 mg daily may be taken as a single dose at bedtime); if necessary may be further increased in steps of 50-100 mg once (preferably) or twice weekly; usual dose 200-450 mg daily (max. 900 mg daily)

Psychosis in Parkinson\'s disease:

Adult over 16 years, 12.5 mg at bedtime then increased according to response in steps of 12.5 mg up to twice weekly; usual dose range 25-37.5 mg at bedtime, usual maximum 50 mg daily; exceptionally, dose may be increased further in steps of 12.5 mg weekly to maximum 100 mg daily in 1-2 divided doses

Side Effects

Common side effects are constipation, dizziness or lightheadedness (mild), drowsiness, headache (mild), increased watering of mouth, nausea or vomiting, unusual weight gain. Less common side effects include abdominal discomfort or heartburn, dryness of mouth.

Toxicity

Zapenia Tablet 25 mg carries a black-box warning for agranulocytosis.

Precaution

Medication should not be stopped abruptly; should be tapered off over 1-2 weeks. If conditions warrant abrupt discontinuation (leukopenia, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy), monitor patient for psychosis and cholinergic rebound (headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Elderly patients are more susceptible to adverse effects (including agranulocytosis, cardiovascular, anticholinergic, and tardive dyskinesia). Significant risk of agranulocytosis, potentially life-threatening. WBC testing should occur weekly for the first 6 months of therapy; thereafter, if acceptable WBC counts are maintained (WBC 3000/mm3, ANC 1500/mm3) then WBC counts can be monitored every other week. WBCs must be monitored weekly for the first 4 weeks after therapy discontinuation. Use with caution in patients receiving other marrow suppressive agents. Eosinophilia has been reported to occur with Zapenia Tablet 25 mg and may require temporary or permanent interruption of therapy.

Cognitive and/or motor impairment (sedation) is common with Zapenia Tablet 25 mg, resulting in impaired performance of tasks requiring alertness (eg, operating machinery or driving). Use with caution in patients at risk of seizures, including those with a history of seizures, head trauma, brain damage, alcoholism, or concurrent therapy with medications which may lower seizure threshold. Has been associated with benign, self-limiting fever (<100.4°F, usually within first 3 weeks). However, Zapenia Tablet 25 mg may also be associated with severe febrile reactions, including neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Zapenia Tablet 25 mg\'s potential for extrapyramidal symptoms appear to be extremely low.

May cause anticholinergic effects; should be used with caution in patients with urinary retention, benign prostatic hyperplasia, narrow-angle glaucoma, xerostomia, visual problems, constipation, or history of bowel obstruction. May cause hyperglycemia; in some cases may be extreme and associated with ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar coma, or death. Use with caution in patients with diabetes or other disorders of glucose regulation; monitor for worsening of glucose control. Use with caution in patients with hepatic disease or impairment; hepatitis has been reported as a consequence of therapy.

May cause orthostatic hypotension and tachycardia; should be used with caution in patients at risk of hypotension or in patients where transient hypotensive episodes would be poorly tolerated (cardiovascular disease or cerebrovascular disease). Concurrent use of psychotropics and benzodiazepines may increase the risk of severe cardiopulmonary reactions.

Myocarditis, pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiomyopathy, and CHF have also been associated with clozapine. Fatalities due to myocarditis have been reported; highest risk in the first month of therapy, however, later cases also reported. Myocarditis or cardiomyopathy should be considered in patients who present with signs/symptoms of heart failure (dyspnea, fatigue, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, peripheral edema), chest pain, palpitations, new electrocardiographic abnormalities (arrhythmias, ST-T wave abnormalities), or unexplained fever. Patients with tachycardia during the first month of therapy should be closely monitored for other signs of myocarditis. Discontinue clozapine if myocarditis is suspected; do not rechallenge in patients with clozapine-related myocarditis. The reported rate of cardiomyopathy in clozapine-treated patients is similar to that in the general population. The majority of patients were over 50 years of age and were taking clozapine for >6 months. Zapenia Tablet 25 mg should be discontinued in patients with confirmed cardiomyopathy unless benefit clearly outweighs risk. Rare cases of thromboembolism, including pulmonary embolism and stroke resulting in fatalities, have been associated with clozapine.

Interaction

Olanzapine may antagonize the effects of levodopa and dopamine agonists. Drugs that induce CYP1A2 or glucoronyl transferase enzymes e.g, Omeprazole and Rifampicin, may increase Olanzapine clearance. Inhibitors of CYP1A2 may potentially inhibit Olanzapine elimination. Carbamazepine may increase the clearance of Olanzapine. Concomitant administration of activated charcoal reduces the oral bioavailability of Olanzapine by 50-60%. Caution should be taken when Olanzapine is administered with centrally acting drugs and alcohol.

Food Interaction

• Avoid alcohol.
• Exercise caution with St. John's Wort. This herb induces both CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 metabolism and may reduce clozapine serum levels.
• Limit caffeine intake. Caffeine may reduce clozapine metabolism.
• Take with or without food. The absorption is unaffected by food.

[Moderate] GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of CNS-active agents.

Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and
MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving CNS-active agents should be warned of this interaction and advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol.

Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

Zapenia Tablet 25 mg Cholesterol interaction

[Moderate] Atypical antipsychotic drugs have been associated with undesirable alterations in lipid levels.

While all agents in the class have been shown to produce some changes, each drug has its own specific risk profile.

Before or soon after initiation of antipsychotic medication, obtain a fasting lipid profile at baseline and monitor periodically during treatment.

Zapenia Tablet 25 mg Drug Interaction

Major: aripiprazole, aripiprazole, lorazepam, lorazepam, escitalopram, escitalopram, lithium, lithium, quetiapine, quetiapine, sertraline, sertraline, olanzapine, olanzapineModerate: lamotrigine, lamotrigineMinor: divalproex sodium, divalproex sodiumUnknown: cholecalciferol, cholecalciferol

Zapenia Tablet 25 mg Disease Interaction

Major: dementia, agranulocytosis, anticholinergic effects, hepatitis, acute alcohol intoxication, CNS depression, NMS, tardive dyskinesiaModerate: aspiration, seizure, hyperglycemia/diabetes, hypotension, lipid alterations, weight gain, hyperglycemia, renal dysfunction, thromboembolic events, hyperprolactinemia, liver disease, parkinsonism

Elimination Route

Rapid and almost complete.

Half Life

8 hours (range 4-12 hours)

Elimination Route

Approximately 50% of the administered dose is excreted in the urine and 30% in the feces.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

There are no adequate studies of Zapenia Tablet 25 mg in pregnant women. Studies in animals suggest no important effects on the fetus. Zapenia Tablet 25 mg can be used in pregnancy if the physician feels that it is necessary. Animal studies suggest that Zapenia Tablet 25 mg is secreted in breast milk. Therefore, women taking Zapenia Tablet 25 mg should not nurse their infants.

Contraindication

Severe cardiac disorders (e.g. myocarditis); renal impairment (avoid if creatinine clearance less than 10 ml/minute); history of neutropenia or agranulocytosis; bone-marrow disorders; paralytic ileus; alcoholic and toxic psychoses; history of circulatory collapse; drug intoxication; coma or severe CNS depression; uncontrolled epilepsy; breast-feeding.

Acute Overdose

The most commonly reported signs and symptoms associated with Zapenia Tablet 25 mg overdose are: altered states of consciousness, including drowsiness, delirium and coma; tachycardia; hypotension; respiratory depression or failure; hypersalivation. Aspiration pneumonia and cardiac arrhythmias have also been reported. Seizures have occurred in a minority of reported cases. Fatal overdoses have been reported with Zapenia Tablet 25 mg, generally at doses above 2500 mg. There have also been reports of patients recovering from overdoses well in excess of 4 g.

Management of Overdose:

Should be established and maintained an airway; should be ensured adequate oxygenation and ventilation. Activated charcoal, which may be used with sorbitol, may be as or more effective than emesis or lavage, and should be considered in treating overdosage. Cardiac and vital signs monitoring is recommended along with general symptomatic and supportive measures. Additional surveillance should be continued for several days because of the risk of delayed effects. Avoid epinephrine and derivatives when treating hypotension, and quinidine and procainamide when treating cardiac arrhythmia.

There are no specific antidotes for Zapenia Tablet 25 mg. Forced diuresis, dialysis, hemoperfusion and exchange transfusion are unlikely to be of benefit.In managing overdosage, the physician should consider the possibility of multiple drug involvement.

Interaction with other Medicine

Olanzapine may antagonize the effects of levodopa and dopamine agonists. Drugs that induce CYP1A2 or glucoronyl transferase enzymes e.g, Omeprazole and Rifampicin, may increase Olanzapine clearance. Inhibitors of CYP1A2 may potentially inhibit Olanzapine elimination. Carbamazepine may increase the clearance of Olanzapine. Concomitant administration of activated charcoal reduces the oral bioavailability of Olanzapine by 50-60%. Caution should be taken when Olanzapine is administered with centrally acting drugs and alcohol.

Storage Condition

Store between 15-30°C.

Innovators Monograph

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