Lormetazepam

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How does it work?

Lormetazepam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. It acts on receptors in the brain (GABA receptors) causing the release of a chemical called GABA (gamma amino butyric acid). GABA is a major inhibitory chemical in the brain involved in inducing sleepiness and control of anxiety and fits. Lormetazepam acts by increasing the activity of GABA, thereby reducing the functioning of certain areas of the brain. This results in sleepiness, a decrease in anxiety and relaxation of muscles. Lormetazepam is most commonly used to treat insomnia. It decreases the time taken to fall asleep and nocturnal awakenings, as well as increasing the total amount of time spent sleeping. As lormetazepam remains active in the body for many hours, drowsiness may occur the next day.

What is it used for?

- Difficulty in sleeping

Warning!

- This medicine is generally only suitable for short-term use. If it is used for long periods or in high doses, tolerance to and dependence upon the medicine may develop, and withdrawal symptoms may occur if treatment is stopped suddenly. For this reason, treatment with this medicine should usually be stopped gradually, following the instructions given by your doctor, in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms such as rebound insomnia or anxiety, confusion, sweating, tremor, loss of appetite, irritability or convulsions.

Use with caution in

- Breastfeeding
- Disease affecting the airways or lungs (respiratory disease)
- Elderly people
- History of alcoholism or drug abuse
- Kidney disease
- Life long inherited blood diseases which can cause a variety of symptoms, including mental health problems (porphyrias)
- Liver disease
- Muscle weakness
- Personality disorders
- Pregnancy

Not to be used in

- A sudden worsening of any underlying lung disease (acute pulmonary insufficiency)
- Abnormal muscle weakness
- Children
- Phobias or obsessional states
- Severe liver disease
- Slow, shallow breathing (respiratory depression)
- Syndrome involving short spells when breathing stops during sleep
- Treatment as a single medication for depression or chronic psychosis