PharmaceuticalDepressantBenzodiazepineSedative

Nitrazepam

Also known as Mogadon · Alodorm

Written by enwyReviewed 15 Jul 20262 sources0 comments

Nitrazepam is a long-acting benzodiazepine licensed as a hypnotic for insomnia and, in some countries, for certain childhood epilepsies. Its long half-life gives sustained sedation but promotes next-day hangover and accumulation, alongside the class dependence and withdrawal liability.

01 Overview

Nitrazepam enhances GABA-A signalling with a long duration of action, historically used for insomnia and as an adjunct in some seizure syndromes such as infantile spasms. Its long half-life can cause drug accumulation and residual daytime sedation, especially in the elderly.

Tolerance to the hypnotic effect develops within weeks, and dependence forms with sustained use. Abrupt cessation can precipitate rebound insomnia and withdrawal seizures, and combination with opioids or alcohol adds respiratory depression.

02 Mechanism

Positive allosteric modulator of the GABA-A receptor with a long half-life; enhances GABAergic inhibition producing hypnotic and anticonvulsant effects.

03 Dosing

Tier	Dose	Route	Notes
Light	2.5–5 mg	Oral	Lower hypnotic dose, e.g. in elderly.
Common	5–10 mg	Oral	Typical bedtime hypnotic dose.
Strong	10 mg	Oral	Upper licensed hypnotic dose.

04 Effects

Effect	Magnitude	Evidence
Sleep inductionShortens sleep latency and prolongs sleep.		Clinical
AnticonvulsantAdjunct in some childhood epilepsies (e.g. infantile spasms) in certain countries.		Clinical
SedationProlonged sedation; residual next-day drowsiness common.		Clinical

05 Side effects

Effect	Severity	Frequency	Evidence
Dependence, tolerance and rebound insomniaTolerance to hypnotic effect, dependence and rebound insomnia; abrupt cessation can cause withdrawal seizures.	Severe	Common with regular use	Clinical
Next-day sedation and accumulationResidual daytime drowsiness, impaired coordination and falls risk from accumulation.	Moderate	Common, especially in elderly	Clinical
Respiratory depressionAdditive respiratory and CNS depression with opioids or alcohol.	Life-threatening	Uncommon alone, higher with CNS depressants	Clinical

06 Legal status

United Kingdom

Class C, Schedule 4 (Misuse of Drugs)

Prescription only medicine. · as of Jan 2026

United States

Not marketed in the US

Nitrazepam is not FDA-approved; available in the UK, Europe, Australia and elsewhere. · as of Jan 2026

07 References

NitrazepamDrugBank

Nitrazepam (Mogadon) product informationUK electronic Medicines Compendium (emc)

08 Discussion0 comments

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This page is reference information, not medical advice. Doses and protocols are documented as they appear in the clinical literature and in practice — describing them is not a recommendation to use them. Countermeasures listed here are not a substitute for a physician. Legal status varies by jurisdiction and changes.