NITRAZEPAM

Nitrazepam should be used with caution in:

• The elderly
• Women who are pregnant or who are breastfeeding
• Patients with liver or kidney problems
• Acute porphyria (an inherited blood disorder, causing skinblisters, belly pain and brain or nervous system disorders)
• Myasthenia gravis
• A history of drug of alcohol abuse
• Depression or anxiety with depression
• Respiratory diseases
• Personality disorders

Side effects of this drug include:

• Daytime sleepiness
• Feeling lightheaded
• Reduced alertness
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Confusion (particularly in the elderly)
• Muscle weakness
• Lack of co-ordination and balance (ataxia; particularly in the elderly)
• Memory loss (amnesia)
• Addiction (dependence)

Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following symptoms:

• Amnesia
• Dependence
• Feeling depressed and/or having thoughts of self-harm or suicide
• Limp or weak muscles
• Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and/or skin)

Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of:

• Kidney Disease
• Liver Disease
• Muscle Problems (Myasthenia Gravis)
• Chemical Dependence
• Depression
• Any Allergies

This medication may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Use caution operating machinery or engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving.

Limit intake of alcohol while using this medication because the drowsiness and/or dizziness effects may increase.

Use this drug with caution for elderly patients because they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medication.

This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy or by breastfeeding woman.

Interactions

Drug interactions may interfere with how your medication works. Tell your doctor about all your medications and any you start or stop using during treatment with Nitrazepam.

The following medicines may interact with Nitrazepam:

• Sodium Oxybate (used to treat muscular weakness associated with extreme sleepiness)
• Antidepressants such as amitriptyline, clomipramine and mirtazapine
• Painkillers and General Anaesthetics
• Antihistamines (used for treating allergies) that cause drowsiness e.g. chlorphenamine
• Antibiotics e.g. rifampicin
• Antivirals e.g. ritonavir

Notify your doctor and pharmacist about all of your medications and health problems so they can check for any interactions with this medication.

Call emergency hotline if someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing. Symptoms of an overdose may include:

• Drowsiness
• Mental confusion
• Difficulty speaking
• Lethargy

In serious cases, symptoms may include lack of:

• Co-ordination and balance (ataxia)
• Decreased muscle tone or floppiness (hypotonia)
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Breathing difficulties
• Coma

Available brands:

• Nitrazepam
• Mozepam-5/Mozepam-10