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.

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.

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)

Administration

Bromazepam tablets are for oral administration

Bromazepam is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to bromazepam, severe respiratory insufficiency, severe hepatic insufficiency or sleep apnea syndrome.

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.

The use of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine like agents may lead to the development of physical and psychological dependence upon these products. This dependence depends on the dose and duration of treatment; it is also greater in predisposed patients with a history of alcohol. Once physical dependence has developed, termination of the treatment will be accompanied by withdrawal symptoms. These may consist of headache, muscle pain, extreme anxiety, tension, confusion and irritability. Since the risk of withdrawal phenomena and rebound phenomena is greater after abrupt discontinuation of the treatment, it is recommended that the dosage be decreased gradually. Bromazepam is not recommended for the primary treatment of sleeplessness caused by psychotic illness. Caution should be exercised while driving cars or using machineries.

Pregnancy & Lactation

The safety of bromazepam during pregnancy has not been established. As bromazepam is excreted in breast milk, use should be avoided during lactation.