Zolax® Tablet: Each tablet contains Alprazolam USP 0.5 mg.
Zolax is a preparation of Alprazolam, which is a triazolo analogue of the 1, 4 benzodiazepine class of central nervous system active compounds, for oral administration.
Treatment for patients with anxiety should be initiated with a dose of 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg given 3 times daily. The dose may be increased to achieve a maximum therapeutic effect, at intervals of 3 to 4 days, to a maximum daily dose of 4 mg given in divided doses. But the successful treatment of many panic disorder patients has required the use of Alprazolam at doses greater than 4 mg daily. In elderly patients, in patients with advanced liver disease or in patients with debilitating disease, the usual starting dose is 0.25 mg, given 2 or 3 times daily. This may be gradually increased if needed and tolerated.
The elderly patients may be especially sensitive to the effects of benzodiazepines. If side effects occur at the recommended starting dose, the dose may be lowered. In all patients, dosage should be reduced gradually when discontinuing therapy or when decreasing the daily dosage. Although there are no systematically collected data to support a specific discontinuation schedule, it is suggested that the daily dosage may be decreased by no more than 0.5 mg every 3 days. Some patients may require an even slower dosage reduction. The usual maximum dose should not exceed 4 mg daily.
Alprazolam, produce additive CNS depressant effects when coadministered with other psychotropic medications, anticonvulsants, antihistaminics, ethanol, and other drugs which themselves produce CNS depression. Caution is recommended during coadministration of Fluoxetine, Propoxyphene, oral contraceptives with Alprazolam. Drugs and other substances demonstrated to be CYP3A inhibitors on the basis of clinical studies involving benzodiazepines metabolised similarly to Alprazolam or on the basis of in vitro studies with Alprazolam or other benzodiazepines are Diltiazem, Isoniazid, Macrolide antibiotics such as Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, and grape fruit juice.
Dependence may grow if Alprazolam is continued for long term. Other infrequently observed side effects are light-headedness, abnormal involuntary movement, headache, muscular twitching, fatigue, tiredness, irritability, memory impairment, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss and decreased appetite.
Alprazolam is assumed to be capable of causing an increased risk of congenital abnormalities when administered to a pregnant woman during the first trimester. Therefore Zolax should not be used in pregnancy.
Lactation: Benzodiazepines are known to be secreted in human milk. As a general rule, nursing should not be undertaken by mothers who must use Zolax.
Paediatric use: Safety and effectiveness of Alprazolam in individuals below 18 years of age have not been established.
Caution should be taken if Alprazolam is coadministered with, Fluoxetine, Propoxyphene and oral contraceptives.