Nitrazepam

Your child needs to take the medicine called nitrazepam. This information sheet explains what nitrazepam does, how to give it, and what side effects or problems your child may have when he or she takes this medicine.

What is this medicine?

Nitrazepam is a type of medicine which belongs to a group of medicines known as benzodiazepines. Nitrazepam calms the brain and is often used to treat sleep disorders. This medicine may also be used to treat some kinds of seizures.

You may hear nitrazepam called by its brand names, Mogadon® or Nitrazadon®. Nitrazepam comes in tablet and liquid forms.

Before giving this medicine to your child…

Tell your doctor if your child has:

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has:

• brain disease
• sleep apnea (temporary stopping breathing while asleep)
• myasthenia gravis (disorder of immune system that causes muscle weakness)
• porphyria
• hyperactivity
• severe mental illness
• hyperactivity
• liver or kidney disease

How should you give your child this medicine?

Follow these instructions when you give your child nitrazepam:

• Give your child nitrazepam exactly as your doctor or your pharmacist tells you to, even if your child seems better.
• Talk to your child’s doctor before you stop giving nitrazepam for any reason. Your child may become ill if he or she stops taking this medicine suddenly.
• Give the nitrazepam at the same times every day. Pick times that are easy for you so that you do not miss doses.
• If your child takes nitrazepam once a day, give it at bedtime.
• Give nitrazepam with or without food.
• If your child is taking liquid nitrazepam, shake the bottle of nitrazepam well. Measure the dose with the special spoon or syringe that the pharmacist gave you.

What should you do if your child misses a dose?

• Give the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Give the next dose at the regular time.
• Do not give your child 2 doses to make up for 1 missed dose.

What are the possible side effects of this medicine?

Your child may have some of these side effects while he or she takes nitrazepam. Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects and they do not go away, or if they bother your child:

• dizziness or light-headedness
• drowsiness
• clumsiness or unsteadiness
• slurred speech
• blurred vision
• dry mouth

Call your child’s doctor during office hours if your child has any of these side effects:

• yellow eyes or skin
• unusual bruising or bleeding
• unusual changes in behaviour
• severe drowsiness/confusion

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to Emergency if your child has any of these side effects:

• new onset or worsening seizures
• if your child shows signs of a life-threatening reaction, including: wheezing; trouble breathing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin colour; or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• slow heartbeat

What safety measures should you take when your child is using this medicine?

Keep all appointments at the clinic or doctor’s office so that the doctor can check your child’s reaction to nitrazepam. The doctor may need to change the dose so that your child is getting the right amount.

Before your child has any kind of surgery, including dental surgery, or an emergency treatment, tell the doctor or dentist that your child is taking nitrazepam.

Nitrazepam may make your child dizzy, drowsy, and less alert than normal. Watch carefully when your child is doing something that he or she needs to be alert for, such as climbing stairs. If these side effects happen, tell your child’s teacher that your child is taking a medicine that can cause these side effects.

This medicine may make your child’s mouth and throat dry. Sucking a hard sugarless candy or chewing sugarless gum will help your child feel more comfortable.

There are some medicines that should not be taken together with nitrazepam, or in some cases the dose of nitrazepam or the other medicine may need to be adjusted. It is important that you tell your doctor and pharmacist if your child takes any other medications (prescription, over the counter, or herbal) including:

• cimetidine
• erythromycin
• other drugs which can make your child drowsy

What other important information should you know?

Keep a list of all medications your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist.

Do not share your child’s medicine with others. Do not give anyone else’s medicine to your child.

Make sure you always have enough nitrazepam to last through weekends, holidays, and vacations. Call your pharmacy at least 2 days before your child runs out of medicine to order refills.

Keep nitrazepam tablets at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Do NOT store it in the bathroom or kitchen.

Keep nitrazepam liquid in the refrigerator. Do not freeze this medicine.

Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.

Keep nitrazepam out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much nitrazepam, call the Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free.

• Call 416-813-5900 if you live in Toronto.
• Call 1-800-268-9017 if you live somewhere else in Ontario.
• If you live outside of Ontario, call your local Poison Information Centre.

Disclaimer: The information in this Family Med-aid is accurate at the time of printing. It provides a summary of information about nitrazepam and does not contain all possible information about this medicine. Not all side effects are listed. If you have any questions or want more information about nitrazepam, speak to your healthcare provider.

Back to Top>