Generic
Bromazepam
Indications
Bromazepam is indicated in- Emotional disturbances, i.e. acute tension and anxiety states. Difficulties in interpersonal contact. Agitation, insomnia, anxious and agitated depressive reactions. Functional disturbances in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, i.e. pseudoangina pectoris, pericardial anxiety, tachycardia, emotiogenic hypertension, dyspnea and hyperventilation. Disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract, i.e. irritable bowel syndrome, epigastric pain, spasm, bloating diarrhea etc. Disturbances in the urinary tract, i.e. frequency, irritable bladder and dysmenorrhea. Psychosomatic disorder, i.e. psychogenic headache, asthma, gastric and duodenal ulcer. It is also indicated in emotional reactions to chronic organic disease.
Pharmacology
Bromazepam is a powerful psychotropic agent. In lower dosage, it selectively reduces tension and anxiety. In higher dosage, it shows sedative and muscle-relaxant properties. Bromazepam binds to the GABA-A receptor producing a conformational change and potentiating its inhibitory effects. Other neurotransmitters are not influenced.
Dosage Administration
Standard dosage: Average dosage for outpatient therapy is 1.5-3 mg up to three times daily. Treatment of outpatients should begin with low doses, gradually increasing to the optimum level. In severe cases, especially in hospital: 6-12 mg 2 or 3 times daily. The overall treatment generally should not be more than 8-12 weeks. In certain cases extension beyond the maximum treatment period may be necessary; if so, it should be taken with re-evaluation of the patient's status with special expertise. Elderly and debilitated patients: Elderly patients and those with impaired hepatic functions require lower doses. Children: Bromazepam is usually not indicated in children, but if the physician feels bromazepam treatment is appropriate, then the dose should be adjusted to their low bodyweight (about 0.1-0.3 mg/kg bodyweight)
Side Effects
If bromazepam is combined with other centrally active drugs, its sedative effects may be enhanced. These drugs are antidepressants, hypnotics, narcotics, antipsychotics, sedatives, antiepileptic drugs, sedative antihistamines and anesthetics. Co-administration of cimetidine may prolong the eliminiation half-life of bromazepam. Concomitant intake of bromazepam with alcohol should be avoided, because the sedative effect of bromazepam may be intensified by alcohol.
Pregnancy And Lactation
Bromazepam is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to bromazepam, severe respiratory insufficiency, severe hepatic insufficiency or sleep apnea syndrome.
Therapeutic
Common side-effects include fatigue, drowsiness, muscle weakness, numbed muscle, reduced alertness, confusion, headache, ataxia etc. These phenomena occur predominantly at the start of therapy and usually disappear with prolonged administration. Anterograde amnesia may occur using therapeutic doses.
Storage Conditions
The safety of bromazepam during pregnancy has not been established. As bromazepam is excreted in breast milk, use should be avoided during lactation.
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