Is Nitrazepam helpful? Nitrazepam: uses Nitrazepam is used in adults for short-term treatment of trouble sleeping ( insomnia ) . It may help we fall asleep faster and decrease the number of times we awaken during the night. It may also help we sleep for a longer time. Nitrazepam is also used in children and infants to treat a certain type of seizure ( myoclonic ) . Nitrazepam belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, which act on brain to produce a calming effect. It works by enhancing effects of a certain natural chemical in body ( GABA ) . Nitrazepam: how to use To treat insomnia, take Nitrazepam by mouth with or without food, before bedtime as directed by your doctor. Nitrazepam can be chewed or dissolved in liquid if we are unable to swallow it whole. Do not use Nitrazepam if we have less than 7 to 8 hours to sleep. Doing so increases risk of daytime drowsiness and temporary memory loss. To treat seizures in infants and children, give the medication by mouth, usually 3 times a day or as directed by doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Nitrazepam isn't usually used for more than 7 to 10 days when treating insomnia. Long-term use can cause medication to build up in your body, increase side effects, and cause dependence. It can make your insomnia worse after we stop taking medication ( rebound insomnia ) . Nitrazepam may cause dependence, especially if it has been used regularly for an extended time or if it has been used in high doses. In such cases, if we suddenly stop Nitrazepam, withdrawal reactions ( e. g. , depressed/anxious mood, stomach/muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, shakiness, seizures ) may occur while use Nitrazepam. Report any such reactions to your doctor immediately. When stopping extended, regular treatment with Nitrazepam, gradually reducing dosage as directed will help prevent withdrawal reactions. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Rarely, use of Nitrazepam can also result in abnormal drug-seeking behavior ( addiction ) . Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently, or use it for a longer time than prescribed. Properly stop medication when so directed. When used for an extended period, Nitrazepam mayn't work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well. Tell your doctor if we continue to have trouble sleeping or your child's seizures persist or worsen. Nitrazepam: side effects Drowsiness, dizziness, loss of coordination, headache, lightheadedness, nightmares, trouble walking, or falling may occur while use Nitrazepam. To reduce risk of injury from falling, take Nitrazepam right before going to bed. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Nitrazepam may make we sleepy during day. Tell your doctor if we have daytime drowsiness. Your dose may need to be adjusted. Some people, particularly children, may experience excitability rather than drowsiness. Remember that your doctor has prescribed Nitrazepam because he or she has judged that benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Nitrazepam do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: A very serious allergic reaction to Nitrazepam is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if we notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Nitrazepam: precautions Before taking Nitrazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist if we are allergic to it; or to other benzodiazepines ( e. g. , diazepam, temazepam ) ; or if we have any other allergies. Nitrazepam should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: Before using Nitrazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: Nitrazepam may make you dizzy or drowsy. Use caution while driving, using machinery, or doing any activity that requires alertness. Avoid alcoholic beverages. To reduce dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that we are taking Nitrazepam. Caution is advised when using Nitrazepam in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to effects of the drug, especially memory problems and increased risk of falls due to drowsiness, dizziness, and loss of coordination. Caution is advised when using Nitrazepam in infants/young children because they may be at risk for lung infection due to difficulty swallowing that leads to saliva getting in lungs ( aspiration ) . During pregnancy, Nitrazepam should be used only when clearly needed. Nitrazepam may cause harm to an unborn baby. Infants born to mothers who used similar medications for a long time during pregnancy have had withdrawal symptoms. Infants born to mothers who used similar medications near or at time of delivery have had unusual drowsiness, feeding problems, slow breathing, liver problems, and floppy muscles. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss reliable forms of birth control. Nitrazepam may pass into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding isn't recommended while using Nitrazepam. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Nitrazepam: interactions Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring we for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first. Nitrazepam shouldn't be used with the following medication because very serious interactions may occur while use Nitrazepam: If we are currently using the medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Nitrazepam. Before using Nitrazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products we may use, especially of: Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines ( e. g. , diphenhydramine ) , anti-seizure drugs ( e. g. , carbamazepine ) , medicine for sleep or anxiety ( e. g. , alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem ) , muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers ( e. g. , codeine ) , psychiatric medicines ( e. g. , chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone ) . Check the labels on all your medicines ( e. g. cough-and-cold products ) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using these products safely. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Nitrazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products we use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Nitrazepam: overdose If overdose of Nitrazepam is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: extreme drowsiness, confusion, decreased muscle reflexes. Nitrazepam: notes Do not share Nitrazepam with others. It is against law. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for ways to improve your sleep without medication, such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime, avoiding daytime naps, and avoiding going to bed too early each night. Nitrazepam has been prescribed for your current condition only. Don't use it later for another condition unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in that case. Nitrazepam: missed dose If you're using Nitrazepam to treat seizures and miss a dose, give it as soon as we remember. If it is near time of the next dose, skip missed dose and resume your child's usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose of Nitrazepam to catch up. If we are using Nitrazepam for trouble sleeping and miss a dose, take it as soon as we remember. If you do not have 8 hours to sleep, skip missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Nitrazepam: storage Store Nitrazepam at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F ( 15-30 degrees C ) away from light and moisture. Don't store Nitrazepam in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Properly discard Nitrazepam when it's expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
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