Nitrazepam is a long-acting benzodiazepine with intermediate onset commonly used to treat panic disorders, severe anxiety, insomnia, and seizures.
Nitrazepam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. This drug affects central benzodiazepine receptors, which are associated with inhibitory GABA (gamma amino butyric acid)receptors, leading to enhanced GABA binding activity.
Indicated for the treatment of generalized short-term sleeping problems (insomnia), such as difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and early-morning awakening.
Nitrazepam is a type of benzodiazepine drug. It is a powerful hypnotic drug which possesses strong sedative, anxiolytic, amnestic, anticonvulsant, and skeletal muscle relaxant properties. Nitrazepam shortens the time required to fall asleep and lengthens the duration of sleep. It is also useful for the management of myoclonic seizures.
No clear correlation has been demonstrated between the blood levels of nitrazepam and its clinical effects.
Nitrazepam is a benzodiazepine compound with sedative properties. It acts in 30 to 60 minutes to produce sleep lasting 6 to 8 hours.
Nitrazepam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. This drug affects central benzodiazepine receptors, which are associated with inhibitory GABA (gamma amino butyric acid)receptors, leading to enhanced GABA binding activity. GABA is a major neurotransmitter in the brain, which causes somnolence, relaxation of muscles, a decrease in anxiety and general central nervous system depression.
Nitrazepam has anticonvulsant properties that may be attributed to its ability to bind to voltage-dependent sodium channels. Sustained repetitive firing seems to be limited by benzodiazepines effect of slowing recovery of sodium channels from inactivation.
Metabolism: Nitrazepam is a benzodiazepine compound with sedative properties. It acts in 30 to 60 minutes to produce sleep lasting 6 to 8 hours. No clear correlation has been demonstrated between the blood levels of nitrazepam and its clinical effects.
Absorption: The drug is well absorbed form the GI tract with peak blood levels being achieved within 2 hours of administration. Two hours after administration, the concentration of nitrazepam in the cerebrospinal fluid is about 8% and after 36 hours approximately 16% of the concentration in the plasma. The cerebrospinal fluid concentration thus corresponds to the non-protein-bound fraction of active ingredient in the plasma. Steady-state levels are achieved within 5 days.
Route of elimination: About 5% of the metabolites are excreted unchanged in the urine together with less than 10% each of the 7-amino- and 7-acetylamino- metabolites in the first 48 hours. In younger persons the volume of distribution is 2L/kg, in elderly patients the volume of distribution is greater and the mean elimination half-life rises to 40 hours.
Half life: The half-life is on average 24 hours.
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Some medical conditions may interact with Nitrazepam.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions.
Common adverse effects include drowsiness during the day, numbed emotions, reduced alertness, confusion, fatigue, headache, dizziness, muscle weakness, ataxia and double vision. These phenomena are dose related and occur predominantly at the start of therapy, they usually disappear with repeated administration. The elderly are particularly sensitive to the effects of centrally-depressant drugs.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider.
