Pharmacokinetics of alprazolam in geriatric patients with neurotic depression.
The pharmacokinetics of alprazolam was studied in 10 geriatric patients (5 males, 5 females) with neurotic depression during a 6-week period. After 0.5 mg of alprazolam on Day 1 the mean elimination half-life was 11.1 hr and Cmax 12.3 ng/ml. The pharmacokinetic evaluation on Day 1 (t 1/2, tmax) did not differ significantly from the evaluation on Day 42. The mean daily dosage on Day 42 was 1.6 mg alprazolam. The concentrations of the metabolites alpha-OH alprazolam and 4-OH alprazolam were less than 10% of that of alprazolam. All the patients improved clinically. The most common side effect was drowsiness, more often during the first week than the last week.
Dehlin
O
O
Geriatric Clinic, Norra sjukhuset S-22185, Lund, Sweden.
Kullingsjö
H
H
Lidén
A
A
Agrell
B
B
Moser
G
G
Olsen
I
I
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000525:Alprazolam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D000525:Alprazolam