What it is

Nitrazepam is a benzodiazepine medication.

Short-term treatment of severe insomnia

It helps with:

• Difficulty falling asleep

• Frequent awakenings

• Poor sleep quality

Sometimes used for certain seizure disorders

In specific medical situations, nitrazepam may be used as part of epilepsy management — but this is less common.

How it works

Nitrazepam enhances the effect of GABA, a calming neurotransmitter in the brain.
This leads to:

• Sedation

• Muscle relaxation

• Reduced anxiety

• Induced sleep

Important characteristics

Onset & duration

• Slow to moderate onset (takes a bit longer to “kick in” compared with fast-acting benzos)

• Long half-life — can remain in the body for 24–40+ hours

• Because of this, it may cause next-day drowsiness.