EFFECT OF ALPRAZOLAM THERAPY

Abstract

Alprazolam is a triazolabenzodiazepine which is metabolized by liver and excreted through kidneys.
While passing through kidneys, it is expected that it may deteriorate the functions of kidneys
especially if kidneys are malfunctioned due to some disease. To assess this hypothesis, tab
alprazolam, 0.25 mg, P.O. was given to five control and fifteen renal insufficient persons for a<
period of twenty one days. As creatinine clearance is a good indicator for renal functions, so it was
used as a parameter to evaluate kidney functions. Ccr was assessed at day zero and day twenty one
in both control and renal insufficient subjects during the course of alprazolam therapy. No
remarkable difference in Ccr was found in between control group on day zero and twenty one. Also
there was no difference in Ccr in renal insufficient patient on both days. But there was a sharp
difference in mean values of Ccr on day zero and 21 when controls were compared with renal
insufficient group on day zero and twenty one. So it was concluded that long term alprazolam
therapy have no significant effect on Ccr in renal insufficient patients. Alprazolam is a
benzodiazepine currently used as an anxiolytic drug. SETTING: In the department of Pharmacology
and Therapeutics, BMSI Karachi,