Drug Detail:Temazepam (Temazepam [ te-maz-e-pam ])
Drug Class: Benzodiazepines
Usual Adult Dose for Insomnia
7.5 to 30 mg orally once a day at bedtime
Comments:
- In transient insomnia, a 7.5 mg dose may be sufficient to improve sleep latency.
- In elderly or debilitated patients, therapy should be initiated at 7.5 mg until individual responses are determined.
Use: Short-term treatment of insomnia (generally 7 to 10 days)
Renal Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Liver Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Precautions
US BOXED WARNINGS:
RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH OPIOIDS:
- Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.
- Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate.
- Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.
- Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.
Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.
Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
US Controlled Substance: Schedule IV
Dialysis
Data not available
Other Comments
Storage requirements:
- Oral solution: Protect from light; store between 4 and 25 C
- Tablets: Protect from moisture
Monitoring:
- Hepatic: Patients with hepatic impairment should be monitored frequently.
- Psychiatric: Patients with a history of alcohol or drug abuse, or patients with a marked personality disorder should be monitored frequently.
- Renal: Patients with renal impairment should be monitored frequently.
Patient advice:
- This medicine may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients should be alert for the emergence or worsening of symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts about self-harm. Patients should report any behavior of concern to their healthcare provider as soon as possible.
- This drug may cause drowsiness and dizziness and reduce alertness. Patients should not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until they know how this drug affects them.
- Patients should avoid drinking alcohol or taking other drugs that may cause sleepiness or dizziness while taking this drug until they talk to their healthcare provider.
- Patients should be told to contact their healthcare provider before increasing/decreasing the dose or discontinuing treatment.
- Advise patients to speak to their healthcare provider if they become pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
