Alprazolam Side effects, Drug interactions, Pharmacokinetics

Alprazolam (Xanax)

Pharmacokinetics        - oral administration with rapid absorbed and almost complete oral bioavailability

                        - crosses placenta & excreted in breast milk

                        - metabolisd to alfa-OH alprazolam (active) & benzophenone der. (inactive)

                        - excreted in urine (~20% unchanged)

Side effects

CNS: drowsiness, fatigue, sedation, memory impairment, cognitive disorder, somnolence, lightheadness, decreased libido, depression, confusion

CVS: hypotension, tachycardia

GI: N/V/D/C, dry mouth

Others: menstrual disorder, rash

Contraindications: patients receiving itra/ketoconazole

Drug-drug interactions

+ cimetidine, disulfiram, oral contraceptive = increase effect of alprazolam

+ theophylline = antagonize sedative effect

+ omeprazole = increase p [alprazolam]

+ imipramine, desipramine = increase p [imi/desipramine]