Egtril 0.5mg Tablet


Product Info

Prescription required Yes
Marketer Indus Healthcare
Active Ingredient Etizolam (0.5mg)
Storage Store below 30°C
Chemical ClassThienodiazepines Derivative
Habit FormingNo
Therapeutic ClassNEURO CNS
Action ClassBenzodiazepines
User Rating4.2
User Reviews553

FAQ

Question
Does Egtril 0.5mg have abuse potential?
Yes, there are several reports mentioning the abuse potential of Egtril 0.5mg. Therefore, it should be used with caution in patients prone to drug abuse.
Answer

Question
Is Egtril 0.5mg good for sleep?
Like other benzodiazepines, it causes sleepiness but is mainly used for anxiety disorder. It increases total sleep time and decreases the proportion of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, wherein your eyes move quickly in different directions. Egtril 0.5mg had no effect on sleep latency (amount of time it takes you to go from being fully awake to being asleep).
Answer

Question
Is Egtril 0.5mg an antidepressant?
No, Egtril 0.5mg is not an antidepressant. It is used for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder with depressive symptoms. But, it may affect patient's mood.
Answer

Question
How long does Egtril 0.5mg take to work?
Oral doses of Egtril 0.5mg begin working within 30-60 minutes and peak at 3-4 hours. The medicine remains in the body for 6-8 hours although higher doses can last longer.
Answer

Question
What happens if you stop taking Egtril 0.5mg suddenly?
Stopping Egtril 0.5mg suddenly may cause withdrawal symptoms which may include anxiety, insomnia, headache, dizziness, ringing sound in ear (tinnitus), eating disorder (anorexia), vomiting, nausea, tremor, weakness, excessive sweating (perspiration), irritability, hypersensitivity to visual and auditory stimuli. Stopping the medicine suddenly may also cause palpitations, fast heart rate and postural hypotension (drop in blood pressure on standing). In severe and rare cases of withdrawal from high doses, patients may develop seizures, mental disorder (psychosis), agitation, confusion, and hallucinations.
Answer

Question
What are the advantages of Egtril 0.5mg over other benzodiazepines (BZDs)?
As compared to other benzodiazepines, Egtril 0.5mg has lesser sedative effects, lower dependence, and lower tolerance. However, long-term use can reduce the effectivity of the medicine and may cause dependence and addiction.
Answer

Question
Is Egtril 0.5mg a muscle relaxant?
Yes, like benzodiazepines, it causes muscle relaxation, but otherwise it is mainly used for anxiety.
Answer
Question
What if you forget to take Egtril Tablet?
If you miss a dose of Egtril 0.5mg, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.\n
Answer

Egtril 0.5mg Tablet Reviews

Egtril 0.5mg is a prescription medicine used to treat short-term anxiety and insomnia. It binds to specific receptor sites in the brain and calms the brain. Therefore, it provides effective relaxation to the brain.

Egtril 0.5mg may be taken with or without food. However, take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor as it has a high potential of habit-forming.

If you have missed any doses, take it as soon as you remember it and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. You should not stop this medication without talking to your doctor as it may cause nausea and anxiety.

Some common side effects of this medicine include headaches, impaired muscle coordination, slurred speech, muscle weakness, altered libido, and depression. It may also cause dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. Talk to your doctor about potential side effects and ways you might prevent or cope with them. You may also get side effects after stopping the treatment.

Before taking the medicine you should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Egtril 0.5mg can usually be mixed safely with other medicines but some medicines, including antacids and alcohol, do affect the way it works and can increase the chance of side effects. If you have been taking this medicine for a long time then regular monitoring of blood and liver functions may be required.

How Egtril 0.5mg Tablet Works

Egtril 0.5mg 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.

How to Use Egtril 0.5mg Tablet

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Egtril 0.5mg may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

Benefits of Egtril 0.5mg Tablet

  • In Treatment of Short term anxiety: Egtril 0.5mg reduces the symptoms of excessive anxiety and worry that are triggered only at the time of stressful conditions that last for a shorter duration. These could be job interviews, exams, stage performances, etc. It can effectively manage feelings of restlessness, tiredness, difficulty concentrating and feeling irritable. Egtril 0.5mg will therefore help you go about your daily activities more easily and be more productive. Keep taking this medicine even if you feel well. Stopping suddenly can cause serious problems.
  • In Treatment of Insomnia: Egtril 0.5mg helps treat insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep) in people who have problems related to their sleeping habits. Insomnia may cause you to wake up earlier than usual and you may find it difficult to go back to sleep. Egtril 0.5mg works by slowing activity in the brain to allow sleep. This helps you relax and feel more energetic. It also helps you concentrate better and improves your quality of life.

Uses of Egtril 0.5mg Tablet

  • Treatment of Short term anxiety
  • Treatment of Insomnia

Egtril 0.5mg Tablet Side Effects

Item form

Safety Tips

Driving  UNSAFE
Egtril 0.5mg may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.The most common side-effects of Egtril 0.5mg are related to sedation and musculoskeletal relaxation. It may impair your driving ability.
Alcohol  CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Egtril 0.5mg. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy  CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Information regarding the use of Egtril 0.5mg during pregnancy is not available. Please consult your doctor.
Liver  CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Egtril 0.5mg in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.
Kidney  CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Egtril 0.5mg in patients with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding  CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Information regarding the use of Egtril 0.5mg during breastfeeding is not available. Please consult your doctor.

Quick Tips

  • Avoid consuming alcohol as it may increase dizziness and drowsiness.
  • Do not take this medicine if you have a history of drug addiction or drug abuse.  
  • It may cause dizziness. Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you.
  • Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding.
  • Take it as per dose and duration suggested by the doctor.
  • The addiction / habit-forming potential of this medicine is less as compared to other benzodiazepines.
  • 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.

References

  1. Drug Enforcement Administration. US Department of Justice. Etizolam.
  2. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

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