Lormetazepam is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia (difficulty sleeping).
Take Lormetazepam exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
Take this medicine before you go to bed at night.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your condition.
The dose of Lormetazepam will be gradually reduced before stopping it completely. Do not stop taking it suddenly as this may cause withdrawal symptoms that may worsen your condition.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- severe lung disease
- sleep apnoea (shallow breathing during sleep)
- myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness disorder)
- severe liver disease
as Lormetazepam may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while on Lormetazepam therapy, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.
Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- depression
- mild to moderate lung disease
- heart disease
- mood disorders or mental illness
- increased pressure in the eye
- mild to moderate liver disease
- kidney disease
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child, the elderly or a debilitated patient (a person who is physically or mentally weak usually due to illness or old age). They may be more sensitive to the side effects.
For as long as you are taking this medicine, you may need to have regular blood, liver, kidney, and lung tests to check your body’s response to the medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Practice good sleeping habits to reduce reliance on sleeping pills. These are some good sleeping habits which you should follow:
- Try to relax before bedtime. Do not engage in strenuous activities.
- Try to go to bed at about the same time every night.
- Have a light dinner. A heavy dinner may disturb your sleep.
- Avoid caffeine in the evening. Caffeine-containing food and drinks include coffee, tea, certain soft drinks and even chocolate.
- Avoid drinking alcohol before bedtime.
- Keep your bedroom quiet, dark and airy.
- Avoid taking naps especially in the late afternoon.
This medicine may cause drowsiness or dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: tiredness and muscle weakness.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- unusual changes in mood or behaviour (being too depressed, irritable, agitated, or having compulsive and impulsive behaviour)
- seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not existent
- having thoughts of self-harm
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines for sleep disorder
- strong painkillers
- medicines for mood disorders
- medicines to treat depression
- medicines for cold or allergy
- asthma medicines e.g. theophylline, aminophylline
- medicines for high blood pressure
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Lormetazepam.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.