Temazepam

Temazepam is a medication that is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. In general, the drug should not be taken for more than seven to ten days. Because it can work rather quickly, temazepam is taken right before you are ready to fall asleep. Some of the side effects commonly seen with the drug include drowsiness, lethargy, and hangover.

 

What Is Temazepam?

Temazepam (Restoril®) is a prescription sleep medication approved for insomnia treatment. In general, the drug should only be used for the short-term treatment of insomnia (for no longer than seven to ten days).
 
(Click What Is Temazepam Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Side Effects of Temazepam

As with any medicine, side effects are possible. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects include, but are not limited to:
 
  • Drowsiness
  • Lethargy
  • Dizziness
  • Hangover.
     
(Click Temazepam Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking temazepam if you have:
 
  • A history of drug or alcohol abuse (see Alcohol and Restoril)
  • Lung problems or breathing problems
  • Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
     
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Precautions and Warnings With Temazepam to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

How Does It Work?

Temazepam is one of a group of medications known as benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines have several different effects on the body, including:
 
  • Relaxing muscles
  • Reducing anxiety
  • Causing sleepiness
  • Stopping seizures
  • Impairing short-term memory.
     
All benzodiazepine medications can have these effects to some degree, depending on the specific medication and the dose. They work in the brain by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical that is naturally calming. GABA can slow down or stop certain nerve signals in the brain. This is why temazepam and other benzodiazepines are known as mild tranquilizers, sedatives, or central nervous system depressants (CNS depressants).
 

When and How to Take Temazepam

General considerations for when and how to take this drug include the following:
 
  • The medication comes in capsule form. It is usually taken by mouth at bedtime.
     
  • Take it just before you are ready to fall asleep, as it can work rather quickly.
     
  • You can take it with or without food. If the medication bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Temazepam may cause serious problems if you take it at higher dosages or for a longer period of time than your healthcare provider recommends (see Restoril Abuse).
     

Dosing Information

The dosage that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • Other medications you may be taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your temazepam dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Temazepam Dosing for more information.)
 

Drug Interactions

Temazepam can potentially interact with several other medicines (see Drug Interactions With Temazepam).
  

What If I Take an Overdose?

People who take too much temazepam may have overdose symptoms that could include:
 
  • Drowsiness
  • Confusion
  • Coma
  • Decreased reflexes
  • Breathing problems
  • Low blood pressure (hypotension).
     
If you happen to overdose, seek immediate medical attention.
 
(Click Restoril Overdose for more information.)
 

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you forget to take your dose, skip the missed dose (unless it is still fairly early in the night). Taking temazepam in the middle of the night or during the day can lead to daytime drowsiness.
 

Who Makes Temazepam?

Temazepam is currently made by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Group. Generic temazepam is made by several different manufacturers.
 

Strengths

Temazepam capsules are available in the following strengths:
 
  • Temazepam 7.5 mg
  • Temazepam 15 mg
  • Temazepam 22.5 mg
  • Temazepam 30 mg.
     

Is There a Generic Version of Temazepam?

Currently, both brand-name and generic versions of temazepam are licensed for sale, although the generic version is not available in all strengths (see Generic Restoril).
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;