Print options:

Other options:

Nitrazepam

Post your experience
See others (8 there)

Nitrazepam is only recommended for short term use. The body will become used to nitrazepam within about 3 - 14 days, after which time it will have little effect.
Nitrazepam can cause drowsiness and light-headedness. Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert.
Alcohol will increase any feelings of drowsiness. If you do drink alcohol, do so only in moderation and be aware of its effects on you.

About nitrazepam

Type of medicine	Benzodiazepine
Used for	Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
Also called	Mogadon Somnite
Available as	Tablets Oral liquid

Nitrazepam works by acting on receptors in the brain that are involved in the transmission of messages to produce calmness and relaxation of the muscles. This reduces anxiety and promotes sleepiness.

Before taking nitrazepam

Before taking nitrazepam make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

If you suffer from any respiratory (breathing) problems
If you suffer from liver or kidney problems
If you suffer from myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakening disease)
If you suffer from sleep apnoea (temporary stopping of breathing during sleep)
If you suffer from porphyria (a blood disorder)
If you suffer from phobias or obsessional conditions
If you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse
If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding

How to take nitrazepam

Take nitrazepam exactly as directed by your doctor
Nitrazepam is usually taken just before bedtime

Getting the most from your treatment

Nitrazepam is only recommended for short term use. The body will become used to nitrazepam within about 3 - 14 days, after which time it will have little effect.
Alcohol will increase any feelings of drowsiness. If you do drink alcohol, do so only in moderation and be aware of its effects on you.
Important: If you have been taking nitrazepam for a long time, it should not be stopped suddenly but gradually reduced to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Can nitrazepam cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Side-effects	What can I do if I experience this
Drowsiness, dizziness, feeling light-headed or less alert than normal	Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert. Avoid alcohol; it will increase any feelings of drowsiness.
Constipation	Try to eat a well balanced diet containing plenty of fibre and drink 6-8 glasses of water each day.
Diarrhoea, tummy pain	Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids.

Other side-effects may include confusion, forgetfulness, tiredness, headache, muscle weakness and unsteadiness. Less commonly skin rashes, reduced blood pressure, problems with eyesight, difficulty urinating or sexual problems. If you experience these or any other worrying symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store nitrazepam

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

DocID:
1430

DocRef:
dils3855

Last Updated:
30 Apr 2007

Date of Next Review:
29 Apr 2009

Version:
22

The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.

Patient UK Hearing Impairment Survey

Patient UK are grateful to the 550 people who took part in this survey.
To see the results click here.
If you'd like to leave your feedback, please go to our interactive forum.

Print options:

Other options:

Advert

Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Related pages in Patient UK

Patient UK Newspaper (^ top of page)

Latest Health News

View current health news

Other - Useful resources (^ top of page)

Pictures, diagrams, photos, images, etc.
Evidence based medicine
Online textbooks and journals
UK Guidelines
Online Videos
Medline
Other good health sites

Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Information Leaflets which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Support Groups which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Medicines & Drugs which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of diagrams which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of PatientPlus (detailed reference) articles which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of UK Guidelines which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of other selected websites which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Poems and Stories which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Operations and Procedures which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Online Videos which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links through to our interactive forum.
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to news stories on this subject in our Online Newspaper

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to related products

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to other useful sources of information

Click here to open a printer-friendly version of this document, in a new window, together with the print dialogue box

Click here to open this document in PDF format
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document

Click here to listen to the MP3 audio recording of this document

Click here to download the audio recording of this document as a podcast, for listening to at your leisure

Click here to open our Dictionaries and Glossaries page

Click here to see related products in our Online Pharmacy
Note: this will open in a new window

Click here to add this page to a social bookmarking site of your choice

Click here if you want to find out more about social bookmarking. This link will take you to the Wikipedia explanation
Note: this will open in a new window