Insomnia, or poor sleep, is fairly common. If you have problems sleeping, it may mean that you have difficulty getting off to sleep, or you may wake up for long periods during the night, or you may wake up too early in the morning. 'Sleeping pills' like clomethiazole are considered a last resort, but are sometimes prescribed for a short period of time to help with a particularly bad spell of insomnia.
Clomethiazole is also prescribed in certain circumstances to help calm elderly people who are particularly restless or agitated. It is also used within specialist dependency units to relieve the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
Before taking clomethiazole
Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking clomethiazole it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
If you have a heart condition, or liver or kidney problems.
If you have lung or breathing problems or a problem where you stop breathing for short periods at night (sleep apnoea).
If you have ever had a drug addiction or a personality disorder.
If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.
How to take clomethiazole capsules
Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The leaflet will give you more information about clomethiazole and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.
Take the capsules exactly as your doctor tells you to. Your dose will be on the label of the pack to remind you:
If you have been prescribed clomethiazole for insomnia, your doctor may recommend that you take one or two capsules each evening, or only on certain days of the week. Take the capsules just before you go to bed.
If you have been prescribed clomethiazole to help calm restlessness or agitation, your doctor is likely to recommend that you take one capsule three times daily, for a short period of time.
If you have been prescribed clomethiazole to help reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms, your doctor or clinic will tell you how to take it.
Swallow the capsules whole with a drink of water. Do not chew them.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.
Getting the most from your treatment
Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress.
The capsules will make you sleepy. If you still feel sleepy the next day, do not drive and do not use tools or machines.
Do not drink alcohol whilst being treated with clomethiazole.
Clomethiazole is only recommended for a short period of time. This is because your body can become dependent on it after a while. This can cause problems when you then stop taking it.
Can clomethiazole cause problems?
Along with their useful effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below lists some of the most common ones associated with clomethiazole. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve over the first few days of taking a new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.
Common clomethiazole side-effects
What can I do if I experience this?
Headache Drink plenty of water and ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable painkiller. If the headache continues, speak with your doctor
A runny or blocked nose, sore eyes These can occur soon after taking a dose, but usually quickly pass
If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
How to store clomethiazole
Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
Important information about all medicines
If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. Take the container with you, even if it is empty.
If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
Did you find this information useful?
yes
no
Manufacturer's PIL, Clomethiazole 192 mg Capsules; Cheplapharm arzneimittel GmbH (Intrapharm Laboratories Ltd), Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Dated June 2015.
British National Formulary; 72nd Edition (Sep 2016) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London
Clomethiazole is also prescribed in certain circumstances to help calm elderly people who are particularly restless or agitated. It is also used within specialist dependency units to relieve the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
Before taking clomethiazole
Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking clomethiazole it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
If you have a heart condition, or liver or kidney problems.
If you have lung or breathing problems or a problem where you stop breathing for short periods at night (sleep apnoea).
If you have ever had a drug addiction or a personality disorder.
If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.
How to take clomethiazole capsules
Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The leaflet will give you more information about clomethiazole and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.
Take the capsules exactly as your doctor tells you to. Your dose will be on the label of the pack to remind you:
If you have been prescribed clomethiazole for insomnia, your doctor may recommend that you take one or two capsules each evening, or only on certain days of the week. Take the capsules just before you go to bed.
If you have been prescribed clomethiazole to help calm restlessness or agitation, your doctor is likely to recommend that you take one capsule three times daily, for a short period of time.
If you have been prescribed clomethiazole to help reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms, your doctor or clinic will tell you how to take it.
Swallow the capsules whole with a drink of water. Do not chew them.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.
Getting the most from your treatment
Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress.
The capsules will make you sleepy. If you still feel sleepy the next day, do not drive and do not use tools or machines.
Do not drink alcohol whilst being treated with clomethiazole.
Clomethiazole is only recommended for a short period of time. This is because your body can become dependent on it after a while. This can cause problems when you then stop taking it.
Can clomethiazole cause problems?
Along with their useful effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below lists some of the most common ones associated with clomethiazole. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve over the first few days of taking a new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.
Common clomethiazole side-effects
What can I do if I experience this?
Headache Drink plenty of water and ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable painkiller. If the headache continues, speak with your doctor
A runny or blocked nose, sore eyes These can occur soon after taking a dose, but usually quickly pass
If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
How to store clomethiazole
Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
Important information about all medicines
If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. Take the container with you, even if it is empty.
If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
Did you find this information useful?
yes
no
Manufacturer's PIL, Clomethiazole 192 mg Capsules; Cheplapharm arzneimittel GmbH (Intrapharm Laboratories Ltd), Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Dated June 2015.
British National Formulary; 72nd Edition (Sep 2016) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London
No comments:
Post a Comment