Indications: insomnia where daytime sedation is acceptable.

Cautions: respiratory disease, muscle weakness and myasthenia gravis, history of drug or alcohol abuse, marked personality disorder, pregnancy, breast-feeding; reduce dose in elderly and debilitated, and in hepatic impairment (avoid if severe) and renal impairment; avoid prolonged use (and abrupt withdrawal thereafter); porphyria.

Contra-indications: respiratory depression; marked neuromuscular respiratory weakness including unstable myasthenia gravis; acute pulmonary insufficiency; severe hepatic impairment; sleep apnoea syndrome; not for use alone to treat depression (or anxiety associated with depression) or chronic psychosis

Side Effects: drowsiness and light-headedness the next day; confusion and ataxia (especially in the elderly); amnesia may occur; dependence.

Dose: 5-10 mg (elderly 2.5-5 mg) 30 minutes before bedtime. Child, 2.5-5 mg.