Overview of sleeping pills:
Those who are unable to sleep naturally, need to take some sort of sleeping pills or also known as sedatives for this purpose. Sleeping pills or otherwise known as hypnotics are prescribed by the doctor to those individuals who suffer from insomnia, or any other condition which prevents a person to fall asleep. Not only do they help with falling asleep, but they also help a person to stay asleep without waking in between the night.
It is important to note that all kinds of sleeping aids work in a different manner where some may work on the part of brain which keeps a person alert while some may cause drowsiness. It is suggested to use such types of sedatives only for a short period of time or on a temporary basis because these stop working after some period of time. People may use Nitrazepam 5 mg tabletsfor curing sleep issues like insomnia.
Types of sleeping pills:
The sleeping pills can be divided into two main categories:
- Over the counter sleeping pills
As the name suggests, such types of sedatives are easily available over the counter and do not require any prescription. Normally every drug store sells such hypnotics or sleeps sedatives. But one should remain careful while purchasing and consuming them because of potential side effects and consult a doctor first before taking them. Normally many such types of medicines contain antihistamine which makes a person feel drowsy. Apart from this, people may also use supplements that contain melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that is naturally produced or made inside the body and is helpful for promoting sleep. Its deficiency can cause insomnia which can be treated by taking supplements that contain melatonin as the main ingredient.
- Prescription sleeping pills
Such types of pills or medicines are more powerful or stronger than the over-the-counter ones and are only available if one has a prescription of the doctor. Such sedatives or sleep hypnotics include drugs like antidepressants, Ambien, benzodiazepines, Lunesta etc.
Overview of nitrazepam:
Another type of drug or medicine that can be used to treat the sleeping issue like insomnia for a short period of time is nitrazepam. It is a type of benzodiazepine which is prescribed by the doctor when he finds that the existing condition of insomnia is causing extreme distress to the individual or is severe. Those who use Nitrazepam may feel sleepy during the daytime as well. It is suggested to take the dose carefully in low doses and for a short period of time to avoid any severe side effects. And it is also best to avoid going beyond the maximum dose. Normally, people buy Nitrazepam 5 mgas they can see effective results on this dose level.
Dose of Nitrazepam:
Special care needs to be observed while taking the dose of Nitrazepam. The dosing pattern of this drug is as follows:
- In the case of adults, Nitrazepam 5 mg will work effectively but the dose can go up to 10 mg if it is necessary to increase the dose.
- For patients who are elderly, the dose should be lower than that of adults and should be between 2.5 mg to 5 mg.
- Those who suffer from hepatic diseases, renal illness, and who suffer from pulmonary insufficiency, which is chronic, should not use Nitrazepam at all.
- Children who are less than 12 years of age should not use this sleep sedative at all.
Side effects of Nitrazepam:
Many people face side effects after using Nitrazepam which is common and does not require any medical attention as they fade away after some time and are not severe. These include:
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Vomiting
- Itching sensation
- Sedation
- Dizziness
- Nightmares
- Aggressiveness
- Restlessness.
Who should not use Nitrazepam:
As it is a benzodiazepine, it can cause a number of side effects due to which it should not be used by those who suffer from allergies, kidney issues, liver problems etc. Moreover, if a person is using alcohol in high amounts, he should avoid using any type of sleep sedative as it can cause serious outcomes. Those who work with machinery or handle machinery need to be careful after taking Nitrazepam. They should either take it way before going to work or should avoid taking it altogether.
Overview of Diazepam:
Diazepam is a type of medicine that is generally given to those people who suffer from anxiety. It is also prescribed to those who suffer from seizures as taking this drug helps to lessen the impact. By taking Diazepam, the brain and nerves calm down. It is also a type of benzodiazepine and is given to patients for its sedative properties before any medical surgery. The most common brand name of diazepam is known as Valium. It comes in different forms including pills, rectal gel, and in form of nasal spray. It is effective in treating muscle spasms and alcohol withdrawal.
Dose of Diazepam:
As Diazepam is a controlled drug, it is prescribed by the doctor who decides the dose based on different factors including the age, the severity of the medical condition, any other underlying medical condition which the person is suffering from etc. Normally such type of drug is started from a low dose and is increased or adjusted slowly over time. The dosing patterns of Diazepam are as follows:
- For adults suffering from anxiety
The normal standard dose for this purpose is anywhere between 2 mg to 10 mg taken orally ranging from two times to four times a day.
- For the elderly suffering from anxiety
For seniors, the dose of Diazepam for treating anxiety is 2 mg to 2.5 mg which should be taken orally one to two times in a day.
Side effects of Diazepam:
The side effects of Diazepam can either be common and do not worsen the condition of an individual or they can be severe and may require medical assistance. These side effects are as follows:
- Dizziness.
- Tremors.
- Fatigue or weakness
- Ataxia where a person is unable to control movements of the muscles.
- Memory loss.
- Depression.
- Hallucinations.
- Anxiety.
- Suicidal thoughts.
- Slurred speech.
- Double vision.
- Trouble urinating.
- Changes in the sex drive.
- Sweating.