ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET belongs to a class of 'anxiolytic' drugs (reduces anxiety) called benzodiazepines (BZD), primarily used to treat severe anxiety over a short period and panic disorder with or without agoraphobia (an anxiety disorder that makes people very fearful of certain places and situations). Anxiety is a mental health disorder associated with fear of worry and excessive nervousness. On the other hand, panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that causes sudden feelings of fear even when there is no real danger, with symptoms like a fast heartbeat.

ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET reduces anxiety/panic by decreasing abnormal and excessive excitement of nerve cells in the brain. It works by increasing the activity of GABA ( a chemical messenger in the brain that acts as a natural nerve-calming agent). Thereby, ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET relaxes muscles, reduces anxiety, produces a feeling of calm, and helps to fall asleep.

Take ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET with or without food and swallow whole with a glass of water.  Your doctor will advise you on how often you take ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET based on your medical condition. Some people may experience depression, sleepiness and drowsiness, jerky, uncoordinated movements, inability to remember bits of information, slurred speech, dizziness, light-headedness, headaches, constipation, dry mouth, tiredness, and irritability. Most of these side effects of ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET do not require do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.

If you are known to be allergic to ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET is not recommended for children below 18 years of age. Do not take ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET if you are pregnant or breastfeeding as it may cause adverse effects on the baby. Inform your doctor if you have a drug addiction, muscle weakness, chronic pulmonary insufficiency, liver or kidney problem, or narrow-angle glaucoma (damage to optic nerve) before taking the ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET. Do not take ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET with opioids as it may cause breathing problems or other severe adverse effects.

ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET is an anxiolytic drug (anxiety reducer) that is used to treat anxiety, and panic disorder over a short period. ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET increases the activity of GABA (a chemical messenger in the brain that act as a natural nerve-calming agent) and is involved in inducing sleep. Thereby, ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET relaxes muscles, reduces anxiety, and induces sleep. ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET is not to be used for mild anxiety associated with the stress of today's life situations.

• Depression
• Sleepiness
• Drowsiness
• Jerky
• Uncoordinated movements
• Inability to remember bits of information
• Slurred speech
• Dizziness
• Light-headedness
• Headaches
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Tiredness
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Confusion and disorientation
• Increased sex drive (men and women)
• Erectile dysfunction
• Nervousness or feeling anxious or agitated
• Insomnia (inability to sleep or disturbed sleep)
• Problems with balance
• Unsteadiness (similar to feeling drunk), especially during the day
• Loss of alertness or concentration
• Inability to stay awake
• Feeling sluggish
• Shakiness or trembling
• Double or blurred vision
• Feeling sick
• Skin reactions
• Change in your weight

Do not take ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET if you are known to be allergic to ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET. ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET is not recommended for below 18 years of age. Do not take ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET if you are pregnant or breastfeeding as it may cause adverse effects in the baby. ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET should be used with caution in elderly patients as there is an increased risk of adverse reactions such as drowsiness, dizziness, and muscle weakness. Inform your doctor if you have myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), drug addiction, chronic pulmonary insufficiency, narrow-angle glaucoma, kidney/liver problem before taking ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET. Do not take ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET with opioids as it may cause breathing problems, drowsiness, and coma.

Drug-Drug Interactions: ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET may have interacted with any other medicines to treat anxiety or depression or to help you sleep (nefazodone, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine), pain killers (morphine, codeine, dihydrocodeine, buprenorphine), antihistamines/antiallergics (chlorphenamine, diphenhydramine, promethazine), antifungal (fluconazole),  oral contraceptives (the pill), certain antibiotics (erythromycin),  medicines used for treating stomach ulcers (cimetidine), drugs used for angina and high blood pressure (diltiazem), medications used to treat various heart conditions (digoxin), drugs used for treating HIV (ritonavir), antipsychotic medications used to treat mental illnesses like schizophrenia, and medicines to treat epilepsy.

Drug-Food Interactions: ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid consuming alcohol while taking ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET as it may increase side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, or difficulty in concentrating.

Drug-Disease Interactions: If you have narrow-angle glaucoma, myasthenia gravis(muscle weakness), pulmonary insufficiency, or kidney/liver problems, inform your doctor before taking ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET.

• NEFAZODONE
• FLUVOXAMINE
• FLUOXETINE
• MORPHINE
• CODEINE
• BUPRENORPHINE
• CHLORPHENIRAMINE
• DIPHENHYDRAMINE
• PROMETHAZINE
• FLUCONAZOLE
• ERYTHROMYCIN
• CIMETIDINE
• DILTIAZEM
• DIGOXIN
• RITONAVIR

• Follow a regular sleep pattern. Do not take a nap during day time.
• Avoid watching Tv, using mobiles or laptops just before bedtime.
• Maintain a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid fried foods, high-fat dairy products, pastries, and processed foods as they may worsen anxiety.
• Do regular exercise and maintain healthy body weight.
• Avoid consumption of alcohol as it may increase drowsiness.

Do not take ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET for a prolonged time as it may lead to mental or physical dependence on ANCOLAM SR 0.5MG TABLET.

Anxiety disorder: It is a mental health disorder associated with fear, worry, and excessive nervousness that may interfere with one's daily activities. The symptoms of anxiety include feeling more stress than required for that event and lack of ability to set aside restlessness and worry.

Panic disorder: It is a mental disorder where people have feelings of anxiety, stress, and panic or fear regularly and at any time, often for no apparent reason. During a panic attack, you get a rush of intense mental and physical symptoms. It can come on very quickly and for no apparent reason. A panic attack can be very frightening and distressing.