13 Facts About Nitrazepam

Nitrazepam, sold under the brand name Mogadon among others, is a hypnotic drug of the benzodiazepine class used for short-term relief from severe, disabling anxiety and insomnia.

Nitrazepam is used to treat short-term sleeping problems, namely difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakening, early awakening, or a combination of each.

Nitrazepam is sometimes tried to treat epilepsy when other medications fail.

Nitrazepam therapy, compared with other drug therapies, increases risk of death when used for intractable epilepsy in an analysis of 302 patients.

Nitrazepam has been associated with severe hepatic disorders, similar to other nitrobenzodiazepines.

Nitrazepam is commonly taken in overdose by drug abusers or suicidal individuals, sometimes leading to death.

Nitrazepam has been found to be dangerous in elderly patients due to a significantly increased risk of falls.

Nitrazepam is not recommended for use in those under 18 years of age.

Nitrazepam is not recommended during pregnancy as it is associated with causing a neonatal withdrawal syndrome and is not generally recommended in alcohol- or drug-dependent individuals or people with comorbid psychiatric disorders.

Nitrazepam is a long-acting benzodiazepine with a risk of drug accumulation, though no active metabolites are formed during metabolism.

Nitrazepam is recommended to be avoided in patients who drive or operate machinery.

Nitrazepam is similar in action to the z-drug zopiclone prescribed for insomnia.

Nitrazepam taken in overdose is associated with a high level of congenital abnormalities .