Nitrazepam is among the class of medications called benzodiazepines. It is employed for short-term treatments for sleeping problems (insomnia), such as difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings at night time, and early-morning awakening. It is also utilized to manage myoclonic seizures. It works by slowing down the nerves in the brain (the nervous system).
This medication could possibly be available under multiple brand names and/or in a number of variations. Any specific name of this medication might not be accessible in all the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms on this medication might not be employed for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor could possibly have suggested prescription drugs for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this using your doctor or are not sure why you are taking medicines, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without talking to a medical expert.
Do not give medicines to other people, regardless of whether they have got the same symptoms as you do. It might be harmful for folks to consider this medication if their doctor hasn't prescribed it.
The recommended adult dose of nitrazepam when taken for insomnia is 5 mg to 10 mg taken at night.
Seniors may be prone to experience unwanted effects on this medication and really should start with 2.5 mg taken at night.
The lowest effective dose should be used. It is essential that the dose be individualized in your specific needs to avoid excessive drowsiness in the daytime time or motor impairment.
This medicine is normally employed for a short period of your time or just as one "as required" medication. As it might be habit-forming, the therapy period should be as short as you possibly can rather than usually over 7 to 10 consecutive days. If you need medicines for more than two or three weeks, consult your physician for a re-evaluation on this medication.
When taken for treating myoclonic seizures, the dose is situated mainly on weight. The dose for kids (up to 30 kg of body weight) ranges from 0.3 mg per kilogram of bodyweight to 1 mg per kilogram of body mass daily in 3 divided doses. Your doctor will calculate an appropriate dose.
Many things may affect the dose of medication that a person needs, for example bodyweight, other medical ailments, and also other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose not the same as the people listed here, usually do not customize the manner in which you're taking the medication without talking to your doctor.
Nitrazepam could possibly be habit-forming when taken for long periods of time. It may not be appropriate for people who have a medical history of alcohol or substance abuse.
If you have been taking prescription drugs regularly to get a long period of energy (multiple month), don't stop taking the medication without speaking with your doctor. A gradual decrease in dose is recommended when stopping this medication to avoid withdrawal effects.
It is essential to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your physician. Do not take prescription drugs in a larger amount or to get a longer period of your energy than prescribed by your physician. If you miss a scheduled dose, take it as soon as you can and continue together with your regular schedule. If you are taking nitrazepam for sleeping, do not go on it for a moment not be able to have a full night's sleep (approximately 8 hours or even more). This medication would make people disoriented, uncoordinated and unable to concentrate clearly until they have worn off. If you can remember the missed dose throughout the daytime, skip the missed dose and continue using your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to generate up for a missed one. If you usually are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your physician or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature, prevent leakages from light and moisture, and make it out of reach of kids.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. around the sink or inside toilet) or even in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist the best way to get rid of medications that are will no longer needed or have expired.
Many medications might cause unwanted side effects. A side effect is definitely an unwanted reply to a drugs if it's taken in normal doses. Side effects could be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The unwanted effects listed below are not gone through by everyone who takes this medication. If you might be worried about negative effects, discuss the potential risks and benefits of the medication along with your doctor.
The following negative effects have been reported by a minimum of 1% of folks taking this medication. Many of these unwanted effects could be managed, and a few may go away by themselves after a while.
Contact a medical expert in case you experience these unwanted effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist could be able to advise you on managing negative effects.
Although a lot of the negative effects the following don't happen usually, they could cause serious problems if you tend not to check using your doctor or seek medical attention.
Check along with your doctor as soon as you possibly can if these things negative effects occur:
Stop using the medication and seek immediate medical help if any from the following occur:
Some people may experience unwanted side effects other than those listed. Check together with your doctor in case you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking prescription drugs.
Do not take nitrazepam should you:
There might be an interaction between nitrazepam and the following:
Before you start using a medication, be sure you inform your medical professional associated with a health conditions or allergies you could possibly have, any medications you are taking, whether you're pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your quality of life. These factors may affect the way you should use this medication.
Asthma and other respiratory conditions: Nitrazepam could potentially cause increased breathing difficulty for people having an acute asthma attack, or individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis, emphysema) or another conditions that affect breathing. If you have asthma or other breathing disorder, discuss along with your doctor how prescription drugs may affect your problem, how your medical problem may modify the dosing and effectiveness of the medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Behavioural and mood changes: This medication might cause mood and psychiatric changes, including aggressiveness, confusion, anxiety, restlessness and memory lapses. Tell your medical professional as soon as you possibly can if you notice any unusual changes in your behaviour.
Complex sleep-related behaviours: There are already reports of complex sleep-related behaviours which have occurred when using nitrazepam and also other similar medications to help remedy difficulty sleeping. People taking nitrazepam are already reported to talk, walk, cook, eat, and drive since they just weren't fully awake, and didn't remember practicing these things afterwards. If you experience similar events, or notice them inside a relative who is taking this medication, contact a medical expert as soon as you can.
Dependence and withdrawal: Physical dependence (a need to look at regular doses to stop physical symptoms) has been associated with benzodiazepines for example nitrazepam. Severe withdrawal symptoms may be experienced in the event the dose is significantly reduced or suddenly discontinued. These symptoms include seizures, irritability, nervousness, sleep problems, agitation, tremors, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, memory impairment, headache, muscle pain, extreme anxiety, tension, restlessness, and confusion. Reducing the dose gradually under medical supervision will help prevent or decrease these withdrawal symptoms.
A temporary condition called rebound insomnia, where the symptoms that triggered treatment with nitrazepam return worse than before, may occur on withdrawal with the medication. It could be accompanied by other reactions including mood changes or anxiety.
Depression: This medication will make some signs of depression worse. If you have depression or a history of depression, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your condition, how your medical problem may get a new dosing and effectiveness with this medication, and whether any special monitoring is required. If you experience symptoms of depression for example poor concentration, modifications in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, contact your doctor as soon as possible. If you experience feelings of attempting to harm yourself, or notice this in the member of the family who is taking medicines, seek medical help immediately.
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Nitrazepam causes drowsiness and sedation. Avoid activities requiring mental alertness, judgment, and physical coordination such as driving or operating machinery in anticipation of having determined how medicines affects you. Drinking alcohol can improve the drowsiness effects and really should be ignored.
Kidney function: If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss together with your doctor how this medication may affect your problem, how your medical condition may customize the dosing and effectiveness with this medication, and whether any special monitoring is necessary.
Liver function: People with reduced liver function or liver disease can experience a stronger effect through the medication than would normally occur. If you have reduced liver function or liver disease, discuss together with your doctor how prescription drugs may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may modify the dosing and effectiveness with this medication, and whether any special monitoring should be used.
Pregnancy: Nitrazepam, like other benzodiazepines, might cause harm to an developing fetus if your mother takes it during pregnancy. This medication mustn't be used in pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the potential for loss. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you might be a breast-feeding mother and therefore are taking nitrazepam, it may well affect your child. Talk to your physician about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of nitrazepam for sleep difficulties have not been established for youngsters and adolescents lower than 18 yrs . old.
Seniors: Seniors are prone to experience sedation and decreased coordination when taking nitrazepam. The lowest effective dose of this medication needs to be used by the shortest possible length of your time.
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