Nitrazepam Side Effects

Nitrazepam 10 mg is an effective treatment that is primarily used to treat sleep issues like insomnia. The tablet has an excellent tolerability profile and can be safely used by diverse groups of patients. The tablet is also known for its versatility and ability to treat other conditions like seizures.

Along with the tablets' beneficial effects and extensive property list, come side effects as well, although not everyone experiences them (only a minute fraction of the population is normally affected). Side effects can present themselves due to the following reasons:

• The abrupt discontinuation of this treatment's use can cause nitrazepam withdrawal symptoms along with mild to more severe side effects.
• An unwarranted increase or decrease of nitrazepam doses can cause more severe side effects, while warranted dosage alterations can cause mild side effects. This is because the body needs to become re-accustomed to the new ratios of the substance in the body.
• Nitrazepam side effects can also present themselves due to contraindications such as drug, situation or health/illness interactions.
• Patients taking the tablet for the first time are most likely to experience more common side effects for a limited time (few hours or days) depending on their constitution. Common side effects usually disappear after the body becomes familiar with the compound's presence in the body.
• Adverse effects can also be caused by an allergic reaction to the treatment or the ingredients it contains.

Patients who want a full list of side effects and their possible causes are urged to reference the printed information leaflet supplied with the treatment. Alternatively, they can enlist the help of a medical professional or verified medical website online.

Common Nitrazepam Side Effects

Like any other medical treatments, sleeping pills come with the possibility of side effects. One of the most prevalent side effects associated with sleeping pills like nitrazepam is daytime drowsiness. This is mainly due to the potency of the tablet's sedative effects.

Although sleeping tablets aim to promote drowsiness and sleep, the effects are not welcomed after a patient is awake. One way to minimise the risk of potential daytime drowsiness is to take the pill earlier in the night rather than later. Patients can calculate the ideal time of consumption by accommodating a 6-to-8-hour rest period.

This means that patients should take the medication at least 6 to 8 hours before they need to wake up. Taking nitrazepam in the middle of the night can increase the risk of daytime drowsiness and patients doing day time activities without being fully alert.

Other common nitrazepam side effects include dizziness, fatigue, confusion, unsteadiness when walking, short term memory impairment and headaches. These side effects are often mild, tolerable and short-lived.

Uncommon Nitrazepam Side Effects

Uncommon side effects, as the name suggests, are not commonly experienced by patients. These side effects are most often a result of contraindications like a medical condition or medication interactions. Additionally, they can occur due to non-adherence to dosage /usage instructions or allergic reactions.

Uncommon nitrazepam side effects include:

• Slurred speech
• Double vision
• Numbed emotions
• Reduced alertness
• Uncharacteristic clumsiness
• Muscle weakness
• Reoccurrence of insomnia

Rare Nitrazepam Side Effects

Rare side effects are often the consequence of poor treatment management, treatment abuse and alcohol or illegal substance combinations. These effects have severe expression, which is often intolerable.

Despite popular belief, these side effects cannot be cured with home remedies and other medical treatments. Experts advise that patients refrain from trying these solutions as it may increase the intensity or severity of the effects.

Patients are urged to seek emergency medical help as soon as possible if any one of the following rare nitrazepam side effects appears:

• Swelling of the tongue or throat
• Difficulty breathing, this includes both inhaling and exhaling

Patients must immediately discontinue the use of the tablet until they are appropriately advised.

Never Mix Nitrazepam and Alcohol

The shelves of a pharmacy are filled with thousands of medications. Each option comes with its own effects, property lists, benefits, and side effects. Nevertheless, alcohol warnings is one aspect that remains unchanged on all boxes.

The use of alcohol and medication is frowned upon in the medical community as it causes a whirlwind of unpredictable side effects. This can include severe nausea or vomiting, extreme headaches or drowsiness, fainting and loss of muscle co-ordination.

The combination can also increase a patients risk of cardiovascular issues and internal bleeding. In addition to these dangers, consuming alcohol with medication can cause it to be less effective for its intended purpose. Instead, it converts it into a potentially harmful substance, void of the expected medical advantages.

These effects are experienced much more when it comes to sleeping aids, like nitrazepam. The combination of nitrazepam tablets with alcohol can cause patients to experience short-term memory loss, that leaves them in a state of confusion. When this occurs, a patient may not remember what has happened for several hours after taking the tablet.

This is mainly due to the substances ability to suppress the central nervous system, which decreases alertness, breathing, cognitive function, and other vital bodily functions. When the ingredients present in nitrazepam is combined with the compounds in alcohol, it can also cause the following:

• Increased risk of an overdose or overdose symptoms
• Risk of falling into alcoholism or nitrazepam addiction
• Sleep-talking, walking, eating, driving
• Low sleep quality and maintenance
• Night terrors or nightmares
• Increased risk of dangerous behaviour

Users may assume that the combination of alcohol and nitrazepam is not severe, however, this combined use is ill-advised, as the elevated risk rates are alarming. The suppression of normal body functioning caused by both alcohol and nitrazepam can also cause multiple organ issues in the long term as well.

Injuries and fatality risks are also increased due to impaired co-ordination and judgment. Patients will be more susceptible to severe nitrazepam side effects as well. Unlike common side effects that are mild, these side effects can be debilitating and challenging for patients to control on their own. Patients must remember that the adverse effects mentioned above can occur regardless of when the alcohol was consumed (e.g. prior to taking the medication or afterwards).

Updated: 23rd January 2021
Review Due: January 2022