Summary
Commonly reported side effects of flurazepam include: drowsiness. Other side effects include: dizziness, vertigo, insomnia, confusion, headache, and irritability. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to flurazepam: oral capsule.
Warning
Oral route (Capsule)
Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing for patients with inadequate alternative treatment options. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required and follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.
Serious side effects of Flurazepam
Along with its needed effects, flurazepam may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking flurazepam:
Rare
- Black, tarry stools
- blurred vision
- chest pain
- chills
- confusion
- cough
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- feeling like you will pass out
- fever
- large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
- painful or difficult urination
- slurred speech
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- sweating
- swollen glands
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known
- Change in consciousness
- clumsy movement, moving from side to side
- confusion about identity, place, and time
- falling
- fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
- loss of consciousness
- shakiness and unsteady walk
- unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
- unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness or feeling of sluggishness
Other side effects of Flurazepam
Some side effects of flurazepam may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Rare
- Bitter taste
- blurred vision
- burning eyes
- difficulty in focusing
- discouragement
- dry mouth
- false or unusual sense of well-being
- feeling of warmth
- feeling sad or empty
- hallucinations
- increased watering of the mouth
- itching skin or skin rash
- loss of appetite
- loss of interest or pleasure
- mood or mental changes
- nightmares
- redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
- restlessness
- sweating
- trouble concentrating
- trouble sleeping
- unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability
- weight loss
Incidence not known
- Constipation
- diarrhea
- fear
- headache
- heartburn
- joint pain
- nausea
- stomach upset
- talkativeness
- vomiting
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to flurazepam: oral capsule.
Nervous system
Common (1% to 10%): Reduced alertness, confusion, headache, dizziness, ataxia
Rare (less than 0.1%): Difficulty in focusing, faintness, slurred speech, confusion, restlessness, vertigo
Frequency not reported: CNS-depressant effects, next-day impairment, nervousness, talkativeness, drowsiness, staggering[Ref]
Psychiatric
Common (1% to 10%): Numbed emotions
Rare (less than 0.1%): Euphoria, depression, hallucinations
Frequency not reported: Withdrawal syndrome, abnormal thinking, behavior changes, complex behaviors, worsening of depression, apprehension, irritability[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue
Frequency not reported: Weakness[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Rare (less than 0.1%): Dry mouth, bitter taste, excessive salivation
Frequency not reported: Heartburn, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, gastrointestinal pain[Ref]
Hepatic
Rare (less than 0.1%): Elevated SGOT/SGPT, total and direct bilirubin elevations, elevated alkaline phosphatase
Frequency not reported: Jaundice[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Severe anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Frequency not reported: Palpitation, chest pain[Ref]
Dermatologic
Rare (less than 0.1%): Sweating, pruritus, skin rash[Ref]
General
The most commonly reported side effects were headache, dizziness, muscle weakness, ataxia, and double vision.[Ref]
Genitourinary
Frequency not reported: Genitourinary complaints, changes in libido, urinary retention[Ref]
Hematologic
Rare (less than 0.1%): Leukopenia, granulocytopenia
Frequency not reported: Blood dyscrasias[Ref]
Metabolic
Rare (less than 0.1%): Anorexia[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Muscle weakness
Frequency not reported: Body/joint pain[Ref]
Ocular
Common (1% to 10%): Double vision
Rare (less than 0.1%): Blurred vision, burning eyes
Frequency not reported: Visual disturbance[Ref]
