Shown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Snowie on February 26, 2000, at 9:47:29
Cam,
My understanding is that you live in Canada. What, if anything, have you heard about Xanax XR? Anything positive or negative? I know it's available in Europe, but I'm not sure about Canada. I've heard some say it's not the miracle drug the Europeans were hoping for. This is a bit discouraging since my body chemistry doesn't work well with Klonopin. Also, why is the USA taking so long to approve this drug?
Thanks.
Snowie
Posted by Cam W. on February 26, 2000, at 10:00:07
In reply to Xanax XR-Question to Cam, posted by Snowie on February 26, 2000, at 9:47:29
Snowie - I haven't heard of Xanax XR yet. We don't have it in Canada (we get everything a couple of years after the U.S.). As benzodiazepines go, I think they should be used short-term, but some people do need them long-term. The Xanax XR would give more steady blood levels and thus, probably a decreased "drugged" feeling at peak concentrations. Also, you would probably need it only once, perhaps twice a day. The drug probably hasn't been launched in the U.S. (or Canada) because UpJohn (the makers) probably don't think they can make money with it. They must be going by the European reaction. I don't think the FDA would have to require much testing to approve the XR version of Xanax. - Cam W.
Posted by Snowie on February 26, 2000, at 16:43:39
In reply to Re: Xanax XR-Question to Cam, posted by Cam W. on February 26, 2000, at 10:00:07
Thanks, Cam. I take Xanax as per my pdoc's orders for GAD and panic, which, if left untreated, results in agoraphobia. My pdoc didn't give me other drug options when I first began treatment. I don't know exactly what Upjohn is calling it, but it is a time released formula of Xanax. I've heard other people mention it on other BBSs, but they were from Europe. One pdoc on another site mentioned that it apparently hasn't been the success that Upjohn had hoped for, or something to that effect.
Thanks. If you get any info, please post.
Snowie
>
> Snowie - I haven't heard of Xanax XR yet. We don't have it in Canada (we get everything a couple of years after the U.S.). As benzodiazepines go, I think they should be used short-term, but some people do need them long-term. The Xanax XR would give more steady blood levels and thus, probably a decreased "drugged" feeling at peak concentrations. Also, you would probably need it only once, perhaps twice a day. The drug probably hasn't been launched in the U.S. (or Canada) because UpJohn (the makers) probably don't think they can make money with it. They must be going by the European reaction. I don't think the FDA would have to require much testing to approve the XR version of Xanax. - Cam W.
Posted by Snowie on February 26, 2000, at 21:31:46
In reply to Re: Xanax XR-Question to Cam, posted by Snowie on February 26, 2000, at 16:43:39
Cam,
I posted a similar message on another BBS, and here was the only article (Medscape) anyone could find about Xanax XR. For some reason, the tail end of the article was cut off, but how much was lost is unknown.
Actas Esp Psiquiatr 1999 May-Jun;27(3):191-7 (ISSN: 1139-9287)
De La Gandara Martin JJ; Sanz Granado O; Varona Martinez A; Such P [Find other articles with these Authors] Servicio de Psiquiatria, Hospitales General Yague y Divino Valles, Burgos, Espana.
OBJECTIVES: Alprazolam extended release formulation (Alprazolam XR) is a new formulation with useful features in the treatment of pathological anxiety, when compared both to the original formulation of alprazolam or to other benzodiazepines as it adds to the well known properties of alprazolam a sustained clinical effect. The available investigational clinical trials show good efficacy for this new formulation. There is the need, however, of observational studies in the clinical setting that confirm its usefulness.
METHODS: We present an observational prospective naturalistic study of all the pathological cases that followed treatment with Alprazolam XR in two psychiatry outpatient centres. Sixty-eight (68) patients were included in the study. The treatment period was 21 weeks. In each of the 4 control visits, efficacy (HAMA, GCI, GCI improvement) and tolerability (adverse events) were assessed, as well as the dose, dosage pattern and need of change of the medication.
RESULTS: Global anxiety (HAMA, GCI and CGI improvement) showed a significant reduction throughout the study. There was a reduction in the number of panic attacks and in the severity of agoraphobia. Global clinical impression (efficacy and tolerability) was good or very good in 75% of the patients, both assessed by the investigator and by the patient. Fifty percent (50%) of the patients had an adverse event (mainly sedation), most cases being mild and transient. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of the patients needed a change in the dosage regimen (dose, number of daily doses), mostly due to clinical dose adjustment. Some patients needed a change in the dosage due to adverse events. Sixteen patients that had been treated with the conventional formulation of alprazolam and started treatment with Alprazolam XR needed a slightly higher dose of the extended release formulation. In these cases the change of medication was easy.
CONCLUSION: The clinical use of Alprazolam XR in the treatment of pathological anxiety was useful in most of the patients (75%). The dose regime was usually 2-3 mg in two daily doses, with a trend to lower the dose (1-2 mg in a single dose) in the third or fourth control. The change from the conventional formulation to the extended release was not difficult in most of the ....
Posted by Cam W. on February 26, 2000, at 21:47:49
In reply to Re: Xanax XR-Question to Cam, posted by Snowie on February 26, 2000, at 21:31:46
Snowie - Thanks for the info. Xanax is a good med for agoraphobia and theoretically the XR version would give more stable blood levels and increase compliance (fewer daily doses). - Cam W.
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