Nitrazepam

Information about Nitrazepam

Nitrazepam Uses

Nitrazepam is used in the treatment of insomnia.

How Nitrazepam works

Nitrazepam is a benzodiazepine. It works by increasing the action of a chemical messenger (GABA) which suppresses the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.
CONTENT DETAILS
Written By
Dr. Swati Mishra
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated
30 Sep 2024 | 10:41 AM (UTC)

We provide you with authentic, trustworthy and revelant information

Want to know more

Available Medicine for Nitrazepam

NitrosunSun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd
₹53 to ₹712 variant(s)
NitravetAnglo-French Drugs & Industries Ltd
₹17 to ₹1243 variant(s)
NiteTalent India
₹37 to ₹492 variant(s)
NitcalmIcon Life Sciences
₹35 to ₹402 variant(s)
NitabMova Pharmaceutical Pvt Ltd
₹31 to ₹493 variant(s)
NipamManas Pharma MFG
₹36 to ₹492 variant(s)
SoporA N Pharmacia
₹24 to ₹412 variant(s)
HypnorilReliance Formulation Pvt Ltd
₹22 to ₹322 variant(s)
CalmtraLinux Laboratories
₹26 to ₹382 variant(s)
BaroniteBaroda Pharma Pvt Ltd
₹9 to ₹112 variant(s)

Expert advice for Nitrazepam

  • If you are taking Nitrazepam for the treatment of insomnia, it should not be used for more than 4 weeks.
  • Take it 30 to 45 minutes before bedtime and only when you have time to sleep for at least 7 hours.
  • The addiction / habit-forming potential of this medicine is very high. Take it only as per the dose and duration advised by your doctor
  • It may cause dizziness. Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you.
  • Avoid consuming alcohol as it may increase dizziness and drowsiness.
  • Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding.
  • If you have been taking this medicine for a long time, regular monitoring of blood and liver functions may be required.
  • Inform your doctor if you notice a rash or other skin changes such as reddish spots or circular patches while taking this medicine.
  • Do not stop taking medication suddenly without talking to your doctor as that may lead to nausea, anxiety, agitation, flu-like symptoms, sweating, tremor, and confusion.

Frequently asked questions for Nitrazepam

Nitrazepam

Q. Does Nitrazepam get you high?

Yes, Nitrazepam can get you high especially when more than the recommended dose is used for a long period of time. Patients with a history of alcoholism, drug abuse and personality disorders should be closely monitored since these patients may intentionally take more than the recommended doses of Nitrazepam to get “high”.

Q. How quickly does Nitrazepam work?

Nitrazepam works quickly. It takes 30 to 60 minutes to induce sleep following which the person may remain asleep for 6 to 8 hours. Therefore, it should be taken just before going to bed.

Q. Does Nitrazepam help you sleep?

Yes, Nitrazepam is in fact used for short-term treatment of insomnia (trouble falling asleep). It shortens the time taken to fall asleep and lengthens the duration of sleep. It helps you to sleep but does not cure the underlying cause of your insomnia, which you should discuss with your doctor.

Q. What is Nitrazepam? How does it make you feel?

Nitrazepam belongs to the benzodiazepine class of medicines. These medicines are known as tranquillizers, which means they have a calming effect and make you feel relaxed. However, its prolonged use may cause some side effects like excessive drowsiness, reduced alertness, confusion, tiredness, etc.

Q. What are the symptoms of an overdose of Nitrazepam?

Taking high doses of Nitrazepam may cause mild or serious side effects. The mild symptoms of an overdose of Nitrazepam include drowsiness, mental confusion and tiredness. In more serious cases, you may develop inability to move, loss of muscle tone, fall in blood pressure, breathing difficulties, coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time) and very rarely death.

Q. Why has my doctor prescribed Nitrazepam for a short duration? Can I take it longer than that?

Treatment with Nitrazepam should be as short as possible. Generally, including the gradual reduction of dose (tapering process), the duration of treatment varies from a few days to two weeks and can extend up to a maximum of four weeks. Higher doses of this medicine are not at all recommended. If you take the medicine for longer than the prescribed duration of time, you may develop physical and psychological dependence and tolerance (higher dose required to have the same effect).

Q. Can I stop taking Nitrazepam?

Do not stop taking Nitrazepam before consulting your doctor. Stopping the treatment suddenly may cause withdrawal symptoms which include a recurrence of sleep problems, depression, nervousness, extreme anxiety, tension, restlessness, and confusion. The withdrawal symptoms may also include mood changes, irritability, sweating, diarrhea, headache, and muscle weakness.

Q. Is Nitrazepam safe for old people?

Nitrazepam should be used with care in elderly people. Usually, the dose advised for aged people is half of what is normally advised. This means that the dose should be restricted to 2.5 or 5 mg. Since Nitrazepam relaxes the muscles, elderly patients should take extra care when they get up at night as there is a risk of falls and consequently of injuries including hip fractures.

INDIA’S LARGEST HEALTHCARE PLATFORM

260m+
Visitors
31m+
Orders Delivered
1800+
Cities
Get the link to download App

Connect

  • Social Links
  • Want daily dose of health?
Download App
Reliable

All products displayed on Tata 1mg are procured from verified and licensed pharmacies. All labs listed on the platform are accredited

Secure

Tata 1mg uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) 128-bit encryption and is Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliant

Affordable

Find affordable medicine substitutes, save up to 50% on health products, up to 80% off on lab tests and free doctor consultations.

LegitScript approved
India's only LegitScript and ISO/ IEC 27001:2022 certified online healthcare platform

Know more about Tata 1mgdownArrow

Access medical and health information

Tata 1mg provides you with medical information which is curated, written and verified by experts, accurate and trustworthy. Our experts create high-quality content about medicines, diseases, lab investigations, Over-The-Counter (OTC) health products, Ayurvedic herbs/ingredients, and alternative remedies.

Order medicines online

Get free medicine home delivery in over 1800 cities across India. You can also order Ayurvedic, Homeopathic and other Over-The-Counter (OTC) health products. Your safety is our top priority. All products displayed on Tata 1mg are procured from verified and licensed pharmacies.

Book lab tests

Book any lab tests and preventive health packages from certified labs and get tested from the comfort of your home. Enjoy free home sample collection, view reports online and consult a doctor online for free.

Consult a doctor online

Got a health query? Consult doctors online from the comfort of your home for free. Chat privately with our registered medical specialists to connect directly with verified doctors. Your privacy is guaranteed.

© 2024 Tata 1mg. All rights reserved. All medicines are dispensed in compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. We do not process requests for Schedule X and habit forming drugs.