Mogadon Tablets

When and how do I take it?

• Take the medicine just before going to bed and swallow the tablet whole with water or another non-alcoholic drink.
• After taking Mogadon, you should ensure that you have 7 to 8 hours uninterrupted sleep. If you forget to take one dose, you should never make up for the missing dose by doubling the dose next time.
• Instead you should simply continue with the next dose when it is due. Do not change the prescribed dose yourself. If you think the effect of your medicine is too weak or too strong, talk to your doctor.
• If you take too many tablets or someone else accidentally takes your medicine, contact your doctor, pharmacist or nearest hospital straight away.

What’s the dose?

• Always take the tablets as your doctor tells you to. He/she will prescribe a suitable dose for you. The dose your doctor prescribes will depend on the nature of your illness, your reaction to the medicine, your age and bodyweight.
• The normal starting dose is 5 mg. However, if you are elderly, or suffer from a lung, liver or kidney condition your starting dose will not be more than 2.5 mg (half a tablet).
• If you are suffering from a psychotic disorder your dose should not exceed 5 mg.
• Your doctor will find the lowest dose to control your symptoms. You may not need to take this medicine every night.
• Treatment will not normally be continued for more than four weeks.

Could it interact with other tablets?

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, including those without a prescription. This is extremely important, as using more than one medicine at the same time can strengthen or weaken the effect of the medicines involved.

The effects of Mogadon may be increased by

• tranquillisers
• antidepressants
• hypnotics (sleep-inducing drugs)
• analgesics (drugs that relieve pain)
• anaesthetics
• drugs used in the treatment of allergies (antihistamines)
• epilepsy (anti-epileptics)

When Mogadon is used in combination with anti-epileptic drugs, side-effects may occur more frequently and your doctor may decide to adjust your dose. In addition, cimetidine (a medicine used to treat stomach problems) and rifampicin (an antibiotic) are also known to affect Mogadon.

Herbal products should also only be taken after talking with your doctor.

What are the possible risks or side-effects?

If you are woken up soon after taking the medicine your memory may be temporarily affected.

Side effects include:

• drowsiness during the day
• a feeling of emptiness
• reduced alertness
• confusion
• tiredness
• headache
• dizziness
• muscle weakness
• poor muscle coordination
• changes in vision

These effects are likely to occur at the start of treatment and usually disappear after a while. You may become dependent on Mogadon, this could lead to withdrawal symptoms if your treatment is stopped.

In rare cases, changes in behaviour, including aggression, excitement, confusion, restlessness, agitation, irritability, rages, hallucinations and nightmares may occur. If these symptoms occur, you must inform your doctor. He/she may want you to stop taking this medicine.

Other unwanted effects which can also occur rarely include:

• Giddiness.
• Reduced blood pressure.
• Stomach upsets.
• Skin rashes.
• Changes in vision.
• Changes in the level of sexual desire.
• Inability to pass urine/holding of urine in the bladder.
• Jaundice -yellowing of the eyes and skin.
• Blood disorders -resulting in severe tiredness and possible infections.
• Depression.

If you are concerned about these or any other unwanted effects talk to your doctor.

Can I drink alcohol while taking it?

Do not drink alcohol with this medicine.

What if I’m pregnant/breastfeeding?

You must tell your doctor if you are pregnant, if you think you are pregnant or if you intend to become pregnant.
Mogadon passes into breast-milk, therefore, if you are breast-feeding this medicine should be avoided.

If you have any more questions please ask your Pharmacist.

Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children
Please Note: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrazepam

http://www.medbroadcast.com/Drug/GetDrug/Mogadon

http://xpil.medicines.org.uk/ViewPil.aspx?DocID=15892

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/brain-and-nervous-system/a7146/mogadon-nitrazepam/

http://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/2137363.PA1332_035_001.27fa024b-a372-41a0-a973-56d7a81420ff.000001PIL.140411.pdf