Indications: insomnia, sedation in the elderly.

Cautions: doses are taken well-diluted with water to minimize gastro-intestinal disturbances. Contact with skin and mucous membranes should be avoided.

Pregnancy: and breast feeding; respiratory disease, history of drug or alcohol abuse, marked personality disorder; reduce dose in elderly and debilitated; avoid prolonged use (and abrupt withdrawal thereafter); hepatic impairment.

Contra-indications: severe cardiac disease, gastritis, hepatic and renal disease; pregnancy; breast-feeding; porphyria.

Side Effects: gastric irritation (nausea and vomiting reported), abdominal distention and flatulence; also ataxia, confusion, rashes, headache, lightheadedness, ketonuria, excitement, nightmares, delirium (especially on abrupt withdrawal); dependence (may be associated with gastritis and renal damage) on prolonged use

Dose: insomnia, 0.5-1 g (max. 2 g), 15-30 minutes before bed time. Child, 30-50 mg/kg up to a max. single dose of 1 g. Sedation, 250 mg 3 times daily.