Chlordiazepoxide Oral Capsules for Treatment of Acute Alcohol Withdrawal Is to Be Reviewed for Use Within: Primary Care Secondary Care
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New Medicines Committee Briefing March 2016 Chlordiazepoxide oral capsules for treatment of acute alcohol withdrawal is to be reviewed for use within: Primary Care Secondary Care Summary: Chlordiazepoxide is an anxiolytic with a UK marketing authorisation for use in the management of acute alcohol withdrawal. Anxiolytics listed in the Joint Formulary for treatment of alcohol withdrawal include diazepam, escitalopram, lorazepam and propranolol. Chlordiazepoxide would provide an alternative to diazepam and lorazepam for patients who fail to respond to first line treatments. Chlordiazepoxide is more expensive than generic diazepam (Note: Diazepam 10mg ≡ Chlordiazepoxide 25mg) Chlordiazepoxide would provide a long acting alternative to the short acting agents when preventing withdrawal seizures. Chlordiazepoxide would contribute to a smoother withdrawal with fewer rebound symptoms. Chlordiazepoxide is less likely to be abused compared to rapid acting agents (diazepam and lorazepam). Chlordiazepoxide is a schedule 4 controlled drug (CD Benz POM). Page 1 of 14 Formulary application Consultant submitting application: Ediela Iliescu (Consultant Substance Misuse Pschyiatrist) (North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare Trust) Clinical Director supporting application: Derrett Watts (Consultant addiction Psychiatrist) (North Staffordshire, Combined Healthcare Trust) The application is a request for chlordiazepoxide to be considered for inclusion in the North Staffordshire Joint Formulary for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal. In support, the applicant states that chlordiazepoxide is well suited for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal and can be used as an alternative to diazepam. Dr Iliescu states that it is difficult to quantify the exact number of patients that commence detoxification in the community. However, based on the figures provided by One Recovery in South Staffordshire (Stafford, Tamworth, Burton and Cannock), it is estimated that approximately 500 hundred patients per year commence treatment for alcohol detoxification in the community. In addition to the above, Dr Iliescu states that as chlordiazepoxide is long acting, use will lead to a reduction in the number and length of hospital stays through effective symptom control. Furthermore, chlordiazepoxide has a lower potential for abuse than diazepam as it is less well known on the black market. Chlordiazepoxide is listed on the South Staffordshire Joint Formulary and is already prescribed by experienced and trained staff in the management of acute alcohol withdrawal. Background Alcohol withdrawal is a potentially life threatening condition which can develop when a patient stops drinking or significantly reduces their alcohol consumption after weeks, months or even years of heavy drinking. Patients can present with acute alcohol withdrawal or be admitted to hospital for another reason which leads to an unplanned alcohol withdrawal episode. Alternatively, a patient may present wishing to abstain from alcohol but has a high risk of acute alcohol withdrawal. Symptoms occur as heavy prolonged drinking disrupts the brains neurotransmitters. Initially, alcohol enhances the effect of Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) which promotes relaxation. However, eventually chronic alcoholism suppresses GABA activity which requires a greater amount of alcohol to produce the same desired effect (tolerance). In addition, to supressing GABA, alcohol also supresses the activity of glutamate, a neurotransmitter which produces excitatory feelings. When heavy drinkers stop suddenly, neurotransmitters previously supressed by alcohol are no longer supressed leading to patients experiencing a rebound response leading to effects commonly associated with alcohol withdrawal such as anxiety, irritability, agitation and seizures. Symptoms range from excessive sweating, restlessness, agitation, mild anxiety, feeling nervous and shaking to more severe complications such as anorexia, headache, nausea, vomiting, seizures and delirium tremens (DTs). Symptoms usually occur eight hours after a fall in blood alcohol levels and peak at day 2. Between 12 and 24 hours after stopping drinking, patients can experience auditory, visual or tactile hallucinations which collectively is termed alcoholic hallucinosis. Delirium tremens (DT) usually occur between 48 and 72 hours after stopping drinking and consist of rapid heartbeat, confusion and fever. By day 4-5, symptoms have significantly improved. Patients may also develop Page 2 of 14 Wernicke-korsakoff syndrome, depression and electrolyte disturbances as well as liver disorders such as cirrhosis. Management of acute alcohol withdrawal aims to prevent development of complications such as seizures and delirium tremens. Furthermore, treatment aims to make management of withdrawal more comfortable and produce an environment that allows abstinence to be produced and maintained. If symptoms are mild to moderate then patients may be treated as an outpatient. However, if withdrawal symptoms are severe, presence of seizures or delirium tremens, previous detoxifications, medical or psychiatric illness then hospital treatment may be necessary. The NICE guidelines for the management of acute alcohol withdrawal recommend a benzodiazepine, carbamazepine or alternatively, clomethiazole. Dosage regimens which should be considered are either a standard fixed dose or symptom-triggered. NICE advises that for community based withdrawal programmes, a fixed dose medication regimen is used whilst programmes for inpatient or residential settings can be either fixed dose or symptom-triggered regimens. Current formulary status 4.1.2 Anxiolytics Diazepam Escitalopram Restriction: For the treatment of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) only Lorazepam Propranolol Therapeutic class and mode of action Chlordiazepoxide is a benzodiazepine. Chlordiazepoxide acts on benzodiazepine allosteric sites that are part of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor/ion-channel complex which results in an increased binding of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA to the GABAA receptor thereby producing inhibitory effects on the central nervous system and body. Licensed indication Short term treatment of acute alcohol withdrawal. Dosage and administration The recommended dose for moderate alcohol withdrawal by mouth is 10 to 30 mg four times a day reducing gradually over 5-7 days as per local protocol for titration regimens. The recommended dose for acute alcohol withdrawal in severe dependence is 10-50mg four times a day and 10-40mg as required for the first 48 hours reducing gradually over the following 7-10 days as per local protocol. Maximum 250mg per day. 1 Page 3 of 14 Safety and adverse effects2 Contraindications Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients The use of chlordiazepoxide is contraindicated in: Patients with acute pulmonary insufficiency: respiratory depression: sleep apnoea. Patients with phobic and obsessional states Patients with chronic psychosis Patients with severe hepatic insufficiency Patients planning a pregnancy Patients with myasthenia gravis Patients with hyperkinesis. Adverse Events Reported adverse effects of chlordiazepoxide include light-headedness and drowsiness, sedation, unsteadiness and ataxia; these are usually dose related but, even after a single dose, may persist into the following day. The elderly are particularly sensitive to the effects of central depressant drugs and may experience confusion, especially if organic brain changes are present; the dosage of chlordiazepoxide should not exceed one-half that recommended for other adults. Other adverse effects include dependence, confusion, restlessness, agitation, irritability, aggressive outbursts, delusion, nightmares, hallucinations, inappropriate behaviour, tremor, dysarthria, salivation changes, incontinence, and thrombocytopenia / other blood disorders. Depressions and amnesia can result from high doses. Rare adverse effects include numbed emotions, reduced alertness, fatigue, headache, dizziness, muscle weakness, vertigo, blurred vision, hypotension, gastrointestinal upsets, skin rashes, visual disturbances, changes in libido, and urinary retention. Drug Interactions2 Potential for pharmacodynamic interactions with chlordiazepoxide Alcohol – chlordiazepoxide should not be used together with alcohol (enhanced sedative effects which affect the ability to drive or operate machinery). Antiepileptics – concurrent use with chlordiazepoxide may lead to side effects and toxicity. Sodium oxybate – chlordiazepoxide enhances the effect of sodium oxybate. Centrally acting drugs – enhancement of central depressive effect may occur if chlordiazepoxide is combined with neuroleptics, antipsychotics, tranquillisers, antidepressants, hypnotics, analgesics, anaesthetics, barbiturates and sedative antihistamines. Cytochrome P450 inhibitors – (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, clarithromycin, nefazadone, saquinavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, atanazavir, and telithromycin) may reduce clearance of and potentiate the effect of chlordiazepoxide. Cytochrome P450 inducers – (e.g. bosentan, carbamazepine, efavirenz, phenobarbital and rifampicin) induce the clearance and reduce the effect of chlordiazepoxide. Page 4 of 14 Narcotic analgesics - Enhancement of the euphoria may occur when given with chlordiazepoxide leading to an increased psychological dependence. Other drugs enhancing the sedative effect of chlordiazepoxide: cisapride, lofexidine, nabilone, disulfiram, baclofen, tizanidine.