lormetazepam at a glance
Medicine class
Benzodiazepine hypnotic
Licensed use
Short-term treatment of disabling or extremely distressing insomnia
Important safety point
Can cause next-day drowsiness, poor coordination, dependence and withdrawal
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol because it can markedly increase sedation and impairment
What is lormetazepam used for?
It is licensed for:
Short-term treatment of insomnia when it is disabling or causing extreme distress.
How does lormetazepam work?
Lormetazepam binds to benzodiazepine sites on GABA-A receptors and strengthens the effect of GABA, an inhibitory brain messenger. This reduces brain activity, producing sedation and helping sleep.
lormetazepam preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 0.5 mg, 1 mg
How to take lormetazepam
Follow the prescription label. Swallow the tablet with water before going to bed and only when you can have a full night of uninterrupted sleep. Do not share it, take extra tablets or stop it suddenly without discussing this with the prescriber.
The tablet contains lactose.
Do not drink alcohol.
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
lormetazepam side effects
Common or expected effects
- Daytime drowsiness or sedation
- Dizziness
- Unsteadiness or poor coordination
- Muscle weakness
- Tiredness or general weakness
Get urgent medical advice
- Breathing difficulty, slowed breathing or apnoea
- Severe allergic reaction
- Marked confusion, hallucinations, agitation or aggression
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviour
- Seizures, particularly during abrupt withdrawal
- Severe loss of consciousness
lormetazepam in pregnancy
Lormetazepam should generally not be used during pregnancy, particularly early or late in pregnancy. Exposure near birth may cause reduced activity, low muscle tone, low temperature, breathing or feeding problems, and neonatal withdrawal. If pregnant, planning pregnancy or thinking you may be pregnant, contact the prescriber; do not stop established treatment suddenly.
lormetazepam while breastfeeding
The product information advises against lormetazepam while breastfeeding because it passes into breast milk and may sedate the infant or impair feeding. A prescriber or specialist breastfeeding service should review alternatives if treatment is needed.
lormetazepam interactions
Lormetazepam has additive effects with many substances that suppress the central nervous system. Check prescribed, non-prescribed and recreational substances before use.
Opioids
The combination can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death; close clinical assessment and monitoring are required.
Alcohol
Alcohol increases sedation and impairment and should be avoided.
Other sedating medicines
Antipsychotics, hypnotics, anxiolytics, sedating antidepressants, sedating antihistamines, anticonvulsants and anaesthetics can increase drowsiness and central nervous system depression.
Common questions about lormetazepam
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is lormetazepam used for?
It is licensed for short-term treatment of insomnia that is disabling or causing extreme distress.
Is lormetazepam a benzodiazepine?
Yes. It is a benzodiazepine with sedative and hypnotic effects.
How does lormetazepam help sleep?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.