Nitrazepam Symptoms and Warning Signs

Nitrazepam is a long-acting, hypnotic benzodiazepine with anticonvulsant, sedative, and skeletal muscle relaxant effects. It is used to treat short-term insomnia, and cases of epilepsy. The drug is known to also have potent addictive properties and can cause dependence when taken over a long period. This is why it is only recommended for short-term use (7-10 days).

Abuse of nitrazepam can easily lead to addiction, which has several known dangerous effects. People who misuse the drug for a while will eventually begin to take the drug habitually, as a result of the drug’s effects. You may have begun to take this drug if you have severe issues with insomnia or other conditions, and you may want to continue taking the drug for its therapeutic benefits.

Other illicit users mostly take nitrazepam for its calming and euphoric effects, or to boost the feelings of other drugs, such as alcohol and barbiturates. This will result in dangerous consequences that can be life-threatening.

Nitrazepam acts by binding itself to GABA receptors in the brain. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is a neurochemical that chiefly inhibits nerve excitement. The chemical works to reduce excitatory activities, that may result in anxiety, agitation, and lack of sleep. When nitrazepam binds to these receptors, it creates a backlog of GABA, which goes on to decrease brain activity more than normal.

It is important to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of nitrazepam misuse if you’re on the drug. This will enable you to catch and tackle your abuse on time. If you have a loved one that is on nitrazepam for any reason, you should also be alert to when they may slip into abuse and addiction.

Types/Brands of Nitrazepam

Nitrazepam is available under a host of brand names, but it is also available in its generic form. Every form of the drug is only sold legally through prescription. However, people choose to get it through illegal means, such as the streets and the internet. The drug is available in compressed tablet and oral suspension forms. Its formulation can vary, especially when acquired through illicit means. Dosage level during prescription generally depends on the individual patient the drug is being prescribed to.

Here are some brand names for drugs containing nitrazepam:

Recognising the Common Warning Signs of Nitrazepam Abuse

Abusing nitrazepam is easy to do, as the drug’s abuse potential is known to be high. Identifying warning signs of abuse, on the other hand, can be tricky. This is because the drug comes with a host of regular side effects similar to signs of abuse, and you may pass off abuse signs as these normal effects.

A common indication of abuse is the onset of withdrawal symptoms when you go for hours or days without taking nitrazepam. These symptoms can be mild to severe and will compel you to use the drug moments after your last dose. Warning signs of nitrazepam abuse will vary according to your situation, your mental and physical health condition, as well as your rate of use.

Tolerance is also a known warning sign of abuse, although it doesn’t build up immediately. In the case of abuse, you’ll realise that your dosage level is continually increasing, and there are withdrawal symptoms when you don’t increase your intake for a while.

There are both physical and psychological symptoms that signal that your use of nitrazepam is becoming excessive.

Ataxia: This is characterised by a lack of coordination, and when you’re performing involuntary movements.

Dizziness: A common effect of nitrazepam is slowed brain activity. This will make you lose certain functions that keep you alert. You’ll feel unbalanced, with a whirling sensation.

Slurred speech: You may have problems with speaking after taking nitrazepam. This is a common side effect, but taking large doses of the drug over a long period could worsen this symptom.

Blurred vision: Your sight will also be affected by an excessive intake of nitrazepam.

Decreased physical performance: When increased levels of nitrazepam are present in your brain and central nervous system, you will find it difficult moving your whole body in general. This is because different kinds of neurons have been slowed down by the high levels of GABA.

Other physical abuse symptoms include hypotension, pruritus, yellowing of the skin or eyes, high blood pressure, excessive sweating, headache, muscle weakness, gastrointestinal issues, heart palpitations, and hypotension. Though some of these symptoms may be rare, they can still occur.

Depression is also another symptom of abuse. Although this is a side effect, you’ll be in this mood more frequently when you reach the level of abuse. Anhedonia, which is marked by a loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, will also be present if you’re using nitrazepam excessively. The drug also induces forgetfulness (amnesia), confusion, and suicidal ideations.

When you stay away from the drug for a long period of time, you’ll experience rebound psychological symptoms of the conditions you originally took nitrazepam to treat. These include anxiety, panic attacks, agitation, and hyperactivity that leads to insomnia.

The Dangers of Nitrazepam Abuse

Abusing nitrazepam will put you in difficult social situations, as well as cause health implications. Continued misuse may well lead to overdose down the line, which can result in repressed breathing, a comatose state, and death. The increase of GABA in your brain will see to it that you’re not performing at your full capacity. Even taking nitrazepam legitimately leads to hangover effects the morning after, and may put you at risk when you drive or operate heavy machinery.

Taking the drug in large doses over an extended period will also result in employment and financial issues, as you may be unable to work as required in order to maintain a job. Your compulsive behaviour toward the drug could also cause problems between you and your loved ones, as you’ll be willing to do anything to get a hold of the drug, even if you hurt those around you in the process.

What’s more, you’ll be in danger of withdrawal symptoms and complications if you quit regular use of nitrazepam during the abuse and addiction stages. This may lead to severe health issues, especially when you abuse the drug alongside other addictive substances such as alcohol.

Recognising a Nitrazepam Addiction

Addiction is characterised by a compulsive urge to use a substance with habit-forming properties. It is also known as substance use disorder, substance abuse, and substance dependence. Nitrazepam is a powerfully addictive drug and can cause anyone to become dependent after long-term use. If you’re worried that a loved one has become addicted to this drug, there are telltale signs that should indicate the presence of addiction. Although they may try to conceal or deny it, some behavioural and health changes will make it clear.

The following are signs that your loved one may be addicted to nitrazepam:

• You keep finding blister strips or empty boxes of nitrazepam long after a prescription is finished, or when there was no prescription, to begin with
• They are going through long hours of sleep, are often dizzy, forgetful, and disinterested in previously enjoyed activities
• Their browsing history shows searches for illegal nitrazepam pills
• They are behaving out of character
• They have become undependable, don’t honour appointments, are frequently out of work, and are now missing social functions
• They exhibit a compulsive need to take nitrazepam, show extreme discomfort when they haven’t used the drug for a while, and go through any means necessary to get a hold of the drug, including lying and stealing

What are the Immediate Side Effects of Nitrazepam Abuse?

Taking nitrazepam will induce feelings of calmness, relaxation, and euphoria. However, you’ll also experience side effects in the short term when you take this drug. These effects include memory problems, headaches, impaired alertness, fatigue, loss of concentration, and drowsiness.

These symptoms will occur regularly, and the severity will be according to the dose you ingest, your medical condition, and your biological profile. The presence of certain illnesses may also cause an interaction with the drug to produce certain effects. This is why it is important that you always consult a doctor before using nitrazepam.

What are the Long Term Side Effects of Nitrazepam Abuse?

The most common long-term consequences of abusing nitrazepam include dependence and addiction. What this means is that you may become unable to function normally if you don’t take enough of the drug. Addiction could also possibly lead to an overdose, which can result in fatal complications.

Other long-term effects of using this drug include muscle weakness, ataxia, hallucinations, delirium, amnesia, insomnia, repressed breathing, and coma.

Intervention for a Nitrazepam Addiction

An intervention will help bring them back to the reality of their drug abuse and give them proof that they are loved and can get the required support to overcome their addiction. If you have not conducted an intervention before, and don’t know how to go about it, an expert interventionist can help you set one up, and take into account the needs of everyone involved. Make sure to also have help readily available so that the addict can begin treatment after the intervention.

Detox and Withdrawal from Nitrazepam

When you stop taking nitrazepam or reduce your normal dose for a while, your body will attempt to cleanse itself of the drug. This process is known as detoxification. It comes with a number of discomforting withdrawal symptoms, which can be excruciating.

To go through detox safely, it is advised that you undergo a medical detox where you’ll be closely monitored by medical professionals, to help your body eliminate the drug properly, and soften your withdrawal symptoms.

Treatment and the Next Steps for Nitrazepam Addiction

Realising and accepting that you have abused nitrazepam, and may be on the verge of addiction is an important milestone towards achieving recovery. While withdrawal may seem daunting and impossible, you should understand that you can get through it, and move on to overcome your addiction. Treatment includes medication and psychological therapy, that will help ease your withdrawal, and teach you new ways to manage your condition and live free of nitrazepam.

Questions about Treatment of Nitrazepam