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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Anne-Charlotte on January 16, 2006, at 17:18:07
Our fam doc has prescribed nitrazepam to help my brother 'calm down' and to help him sleep. Is this just a straight up sleeping med; has anyone had any experiences with this medication? If so, please share them.
My bro was diagnosed with psychotic depression, yet has recently been feeling/appearing a bit manic, needing minimal sleep. The lack of sleep does not bother him, (just everyone else in the house) however the doctor is insisting that sleep is critical, hence the nitrazepam.
Any suggestions, or comments would be most welcome.
(I will pass them on to my brother, as he is belligerently opposed to researching his condition)
Posted by yxibow on January 16, 2006, at 19:34:54
In reply to Nitrazepam, posted by Anne-Charlotte on January 16, 2006, at 17:18:07
> Our fam doc has prescribed nitrazepam to help my brother 'calm down' and to help him sleep. Is this just a straight up sleeping med; has anyone had any experiences with this medication? If so, please share them.
> My bro was diagnosed with psychotic depression, yet has recently been feeling/appearing a bit manic, needing minimal sleep. The lack of sleep does not bother him, (just everyone else in the house) however the doctor is insisting that sleep is critical, hence the nitrazepam.I assume you are in Canada or Europe as nitrazepam was discontinued in the US. It used to be called Mogadon in the 60s. It probably is similar to Halcion or Temazepam (Restoril), which is still prescribed.
Mogadon:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrazepam
Its action is probably similar to temazepam. I don't see any difference than prescribing 10-20mg of Ambien, but your doctor may know better. The calm down part may be why he prescribed a benzodiazepine rather than one of the new sleep agents which focus more on sleep than peripheral anxiety plus sleep.
Posted by cache-monkey on January 16, 2006, at 21:30:15
In reply to Nitrazepam, posted by Anne-Charlotte on January 16, 2006, at 17:18:07
Hello,
It sounds like your brother might be opposed to this, but he might benefit from seeing a psychiatrist. Both the depression+psychosis and the manic spell might benefit from an atypical neuroleptic like Zyprexa, which your family doctor probably wouldn't be so familiar with.
Good luck,
cache-monkey> Our fam doc has prescribed nitrazepam to help my brother 'calm down' and to help him sleep. Is this just a straight up sleeping med; has anyone had any experiences with this medication? If so, please share them.
> My bro was diagnosed with psychotic depression, yet has recently been feeling/appearing a bit manic, needing minimal sleep. The lack of sleep does not bother him, (just everyone else in the house) however the doctor is insisting that sleep is critical, hence the nitrazepam.
> Any suggestions, or comments would be most welcome.
> (I will pass them on to my brother, as he is belligerently opposed to researching his condition)
Posted by ed_uk on January 17, 2006, at 15:27:40
In reply to Nitrazepam, posted by Anne-Charlotte on January 16, 2006, at 17:18:07
Hi
Nitrazepam is one of the most widely prescribed sleep-inducing benzos in the UK. Where do you live?
Nitrazepam has a longer duration of action that most other sleep aids. Its effects tend to persist the following day, reducing anxiety if it is present.
Ed
Posted by Anne-Charlotte on January 18, 2006, at 12:15:44
In reply to Re: Nitrazepam » Anne-Charlotte, posted by ed_uk on January 17, 2006, at 15:27:40
Copenhagen! ...I suppose my bro does have a problem with anxiety; although I think it is highly likely that he is bipolar; no definitive diagnosis in this regard however. ... I am just hoping that the nitrazepam does not bring him down again into a psychotic depression-- he is at least much more pleasant in his current manic/up phase....
> Hi
>
> Nitrazepam is one of the most widely prescribed sleep-inducing benzos in the UK. Where do you live?
>
> Nitrazepam has a longer duration of action that most other sleep aids. Its effects tend to persist the following day, reducing anxiety if it is present.
>
> Ed
This is the end of the thread.
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