General Information
Uses
What should I know before taking this drug
Precautions
Dosage information
Adverse reactions
Storage
Additional information if any
Dormin tab (Micro Labs)
Hypnoril tab (Reliance)
Nitrazepam is a prescription drug available from your pharmacy store only with the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner.
Nitrazepam is used in the treatment of Insomnia and Infantile spasms.
- Take nitrazepam exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If do not understand these instructions ask your pharmacist, nurse or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take nitrazepam just before going to bed. It is very essential that you have uninterrupted sleep for at least 6-8hrs.
- Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer duration than recommended by your doctor. Take this medication with a full glass of water.
- Do not skip doses or stop taking nitrazepam without consulting your doctor. As it may worsen insomnia (rebound Insomnia)
- Always remember to inform your health expert if you are currently taking any OTC or prescription drugs like,
- Antibiotics like erythromycin, Rifampicin
- Probenecid
- Theophylline (anti asthma drug)
- Levadopa (anti Parkinson drug)
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Inform your doctor if you have following medical diseases , as Nitrazepam should be used cautiously in these conditions
- Liver disease
- Myasthenia gravis
- Sleep apnoea syndrome
- Psychiatric illness
- History of alcoholism or drug abuse
- Blood disorder like Porphyrias
- Narrow angle glaucoma
- Respiratory insufficiency
Do not use nitrazepam if you have severe hepatic impairment and sleep disturbances.
Children:
Old people:
Pregnant woman: Nitrazepam belongs to FDA pregnancy category D. This means that nitrazepam can harm an unborn baby and cause birth defects if used during pregnancy. Do not use nitrazepam with out your doctor consent however its use is justified if the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning for conception.
Lactating women: Nitrazepam passes into breast milk and harm nursing baby. Do not use nitrazepam with out the consent from your doctor if you are breastfeeding your child.
Other:
Avoid alcohol as it may increase sedation due to nitrazepam and may lead life threatening respiratory depression.
Nitrazepam is available in the from of tablet and capsule.
Use as directed by your physician, your physician prescribes depending on the severity of disease.
Use the complete course of medication as prescribed by your physician even though you feel better after one or two days of usage of medication.
If it is almost the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at same time to cover up the missed dose.
In case of overdose contact your nearest poison control centre or emergency medical centre for immediate care by physician.
Nitrazepam may cause following side effects
- Headache
- Giddiness
- Diarrhoea
- Decrease in sexual interest
- Restlessness
- Heartburn
- Increased salivation
Consult your doctor immediately if notice following symptoms.
- Allergic reaction like swollen lips, hives, difficulty in breathing, rashes. Peeling of skin etc
- Amnesia/ forgetfulness
- Blurring of vision/ double vision
- Hallucination
- Palpitation
- Hypotension
Store nitrazepam at room temp (15 – 30 degrees C). Avoid excessive heat, moisture or direct sunlight, never store in the bathroom.
Keep it out of reach of children. Make sure that any leftover portion is disposed off safely.
- Nitrazepam should be used only for short term management of sleeplessness. As it effectiveness decrease when used for a prolonged period.
- Nitrazepam causes dizziness, hang over and blurring of vision. Therefore when affected do not drive or operate heavy machinery.
- Inform your lab personnel regarding nitrazepam medication as it may give false high values in clozapine plasma levels
- Inform your doctor prior to any surgery regarding nitrazepam medication as it may have to be stopped briefly before the procedure.
It is imp to read manufacturing packaging instruction carefully if available and always do not hesitate to consult pharmacist or physician for any information.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date: Mar16th,09