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What Is Quazepam Used For?
Quazepam is used for treating various types of insomnia in adults. It is a type of benzodiazepine, which helps to relax muscles, cause sleepiness, and reduce anxiety. Although the medication is mainly to treat insomnia, it can occasionally be used in an "off-label" fashion for other conditions. Using the drug to treat anxiety disorders is an example of an off-label quazepam use.
from eMedTV.comQuazepam (Doral®) is a prescription medication that is approved to treat insomnia. It belongs to a group of medications known as benzodiazepines.
It is normal to have trouble sleeping occasionally from time to time. However, if you feel that you do not get enough sleep or cannot obtain satisfying sleep, you could possibly have a sleep disorder called insomnia.
Insomnia symptoms include:
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Waking up often in the middle of the night and having trouble going back to sleep
- Waking up too early in the morning and not being able to go back to sleep
- Non-refreshing sleep.
There are several different insomnia types. They are often based on how long the insomnia lasts and how often it occurs. These types include:
- Short-term insomnia (acute insomnia)
- Long-term insomnia (chronic insomnia)
- Insomnia that comes and goes (transient insomnia).
Short-term insomnia can last from one night to a few weeks. It is often caused by physical or emotional discomfort and can be related to a single specific event (see Insomnia Causes). About 60 million Americans each year experience insomnia.
Quazepam is approved to treat insomnia. Usually, most sleep medications (especially benzodiazepines) are recommended only for short-term use (no more than a week or two). Taking them longer can lead to dependence and "rebound insomnia," which is insomnia caused by stopping a sleep medication. In general, quazepam should be used for short-term treatment, although there may be situations in which long-term treatment is appropriate.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD