Nithra 5mg Tablet
Product Info
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Marketer | East West Pharma |
| Active Ingredient | Nitrazepam (5mg) |
| Storage | Store below 30°C |
| Chemical Class | Benzodiazepines Derivative |
| Habit Forming | Yes |
| Therapeutic Class | NEURO CNS |
| Action Class | Benzodiazepines |
| User Rating | 4.1 |
| User Reviews | 760 |
FAQ
Why has my doctor prescribed Nithra 5mg for a short duration? Can I take it longer than that?
Treatment with Nithra 5mg should be as short as possible. Generally, including the gradual reduction of dose (tapering process), the duration of treatment varies from a few days to two weeks and can extend up to a maximum of four weeks. Higher doses of this medicine are not at all recommended. If you take the medicine for longer than the prescribed duration of time, you may develop physical and psychological dependence and tolerance (higher dose required to have the same effect).
What are the symptoms of an overdose of Nithra 5mg?
Taking high doses of Nithra 5mg may cause mild or serious side effects. The mild symptoms of an overdose of Nithra 5mg include drowsiness, mental confusion and tiredness. In more serious cases, you may develop inability to move, loss of muscle tone, fall in blood pressure, breathing difficulties, coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time) and very rarely death.
Is Nithra 5mg safe for old people?
Nithra 5mg should be used with care in elderly people. Usually, the dose advised for aged people is half of what is normally advised. This means that the dose should be restricted to 2.5 or 5 mg. Since Nithra 5mg relaxes the muscles, elderly patients should take extra care when they get up at night as there is a risk of falls and consequently of injuries including hip fractures.
Does Nithra 5mg help you sleep?
Yes, Nithra 5mg is in fact used for short-term treatment of insomnia (trouble falling asleep). It shortens the time taken to fall asleep and lengthens the duration of sleep. It helps you to sleep but does not cure the underlying cause of your insomnia, which you should discuss with your doctor.
Can I stop taking Nithra 5mg?
Do not stop taking Nithra 5mg before consulting your doctor. Stopping the treatment suddenly may cause withdrawal symptoms which include a recurrence of sleep problems, depression, nervousness, extreme anxiety, tension, restlessness, and confusion. The withdrawal symptoms may also include mood changes, irritability, sweating, diarrhea, headache, and muscle weakness.
How quickly does Nithra 5mg work?
Nithra 5mg works quickly. It takes 30 to 60 minutes to induce sleep following which the person may remain asleep for 6 to 8 hours. Therefore, it should be taken just before going to bed.
What is Nithra 5mg? How does it make you feel?
Nithra 5mg belongs to the benzodiazepine class of medicines. These medicines are known as tranquillizers, which means they have a calming effect and make you feel relaxed. However, its prolonged use may cause some side effects like excessive drowsiness, reduced alertness, confusion, tiredness, etc.
Does Nithra 5mg get you high?
Yes, Nithra 5mg can get you high especially when more than the recommended dose is used for a long period of time. Patients with a history of alcoholism, drug abuse and personality disorders should be closely monitored since these patients may intentionally take more than the recommended doses of Nithra 5mg to get “high”.
What if you forget to take Nithra Tablet?
If you miss a dose of Nithra 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
Nithra 5mg Tablet Reviews
Nithra 5mg is used for treating insomnia. It is generally used in combination with other medicines. It relaxes the brain and helps to treat people who have problems with their sleeping habits.
Nithra 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 a dose, take it as soon as you remember and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. It is important that this medication is not stopped suddenly without talking to your doctor as it may cause nausea and anxiety. It should only be used for a limited period as long-term use of this medicine is not recommended.
Nithra 5mg may cause dizziness and drowsiness as side effects, so do not drive if you have taken this medicine. Moreover, driving under the influence of this medicine is also considered as an offense. Other common side effects of this medicine include sedation, unsteadiness, impaired coordination, numbed emotions, reduced alertness, and fatigue. These are usually temporary and resolve on their own. Consult your doctor if these side effects bother you or do not go away.
It should be noted that in elderly patients this medicine may reduce muscle tone and increased the risk of falls. You should avoid alcohol intake while taking this medicine as it will increase drowsiness.
Nithra 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 a dose, take it as soon as you remember and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. It is important that this medication is not stopped suddenly without talking to your doctor as it may cause nausea and anxiety. It should only be used for a limited period as long-term use of this medicine is not recommended.
Nithra 5mg may cause dizziness and drowsiness as side effects, so do not drive if you have taken this medicine. Moreover, driving under the influence of this medicine is also considered as an offense. Other common side effects of this medicine include sedation, unsteadiness, impaired coordination, numbed emotions, reduced alertness, and fatigue. These are usually temporary and resolve on their own. Consult your doctor if these side effects bother you or do not go away.
It should be noted that in elderly patients this medicine may reduce muscle tone and increased the risk of falls. You should avoid alcohol intake while taking this medicine as it will increase drowsiness.
How Nithra 5mg Tablet Works
Nithra 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 Nithra 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. Nithra 5mg may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
Benefits of Nithra 5mg Tablet
- In Treatment of Insomnia: Nithra 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. Nithra 5mg works by slowing down the abnormal activity of nerves in the brain to allow sleep. It also improves the sleep-wake cycle and restores it to normal. This helps you relax, feel calm, and more energetic. It also helps you concentrate better and improves your quality of life.
Uses of Nithra 5mg Tablet
- Treatment of Insomnia
Nithra 5mg Tablet Side Effects
Safety Tips
Driving
UNSAFE
Nithra 5mg may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.Nithra 5mg may cause side effects such as reduced alertness, confusion, tiredness, dizziness, poor muscle coordination and double vision. This may affect your ability to drive.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Nithra 5mg is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
CAUTION
Nithra 5mg should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Nithra 5mg may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Use of Nithra 5mg is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.
Kidney
CAUTION
Nithra 5mg should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Nithra 5mg may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Nithra 5mg is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Alcohol
UNSAFE
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Nithra 5mg.
Quick Tips
- 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.
- If you have been taking this medicine for a long time, regular monitoring of blood and liver functions may be required.
- Take it 30 to 45 minutes before bedtime and only when you have time to sleep for at least 7 hours.
- If you are taking Nithra 5mg for the treatment of insomnia, it should not be used for more than 4 weeks.
- 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 notice a rash or other skin changes such as reddish spots or circular patches while taking this medicine.
- The addiction / habit-forming potential of this medicine is very high. Take it only as per the dose and duration advised by your doctor
- Avoid consuming alcohol as it may increase dizziness and drowsiness.
- Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding.
References
- Porters RJ, Meldrum BS. Antiseizure Drugs. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 415.
- Drugs.com. Nitrazepam.
- Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
- Nitrazepam [EMC SmPC]. Potters Bar, Hertfordshire: Mylan Products Limited; 1999 [revised May 2018].
- Chaves RG, Lamounier JA. Breastfeeding and maternal medications. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2004;80(5 Suppl):S189-S198.
- Nitrazepam [EMC SmPC]. Maidenhead, Berkshire: Intrapharm Laboratories Limited; 2005 [revised 19 Jan. 2015].