Benzodiazepines
Restoril (Temazepam) Information
WHY is this drug prescribed?
Temazepam is used, short term, to treat anxiety and to help you fall asleep and stay asleep through the night.
In some cases it may provoke or worsen depression, leading to increased risk for suicidal ideation or behavior. See the article here for more about temazepam and suicide.
WHEN should it be used?
Temazepam is taken at bedtime when needed. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your pharmacist or doctor to explain any part that you do not understand. Do not take temazepam for more than five weeks without consulting your doctor.
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Stopping the drug abruptly can cause seizures, delirium, and withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor probably will want to decrease your dose gradually.
HOW should it be used?
Temazepam comes in capsules. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
What SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS should I follow while using this drug?
Temazepam may make you dizzy. Therefore, stay in bed after taking the dose. Drowsiness and dizziness may persist until the next day, and your coordination and alertness may be decreased. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how this drug affects you. Do not drink alcoholic beverages. Alcohol adds to the drowsiness and dizziness caused by this drug. Because temazepam can be habit-forming, do not take more of it or take it for a longer time than as directed.
To prevent an accidental overdose, do not keep more than one dose at your bedside. If you accidentally take too much, contact your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. If you have been taking temazepam for a long time, you may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop. Contact your doctor if you experience sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, tremors, muscle and abdominal cramps, hallucinations, and seizures. Keep all appointments with your doctor so that your response to this medication can be checked.
What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?
Do not take a missed dose when you remember it. Omit it completely; then take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time.
What SIDE EFFECTS can this drug cause? What can I do about them?
Drowsiness during the day, dizziness, weakness, confusion, muscle incoordination, fatigue, faintness. Contact your doctor if these effects persist for more than several days. Talkativeness, restlessness, anxiety, excitement, trembling, muscle spasms, nightmares. Stop taking the drug and contact your doctor immediately.
What OTHER PRECAUTIONS should I follow while using this drug?
Women who are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, think that they may be pregnant, or are breast-feeding should inform their doctors before taking temazepam. If you become pregnant while taking temazepam, contact your doctor immediately. Before you take this drug, tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and non prescription drugs you are taking, especially digoxin, levodopa, seizure medication, prescription pain medication, medication for depression, barbiturates, tranquilizers, sedatives, antihistamines, and medication for allergies and colds.
Do not take other sleeping pills. Do not smoke while taking temazepam. Smoking can decrease its effectiveness. If you have liver or kidney disease, tell your doctor before taking temazepam. Do not allow anyone else to take your medication.
What STORAGE CONDITIONS are necessary for this drug?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature.
Books Benzo Blues:
Overcoming Anxiety Without Tranquilizers
The benzodiazepine family of drugs includes ativan, azene, centrax, clonopin, dalmane, halcion, librium, paxipam, restoril, serax, valium, xanax, etc. They are among the most routinely prescribed medications in our society, used to treat chronic anxiety in millions of people.
Of the more than 30 million people who take these drugs, more than four million are addicted. Dr. Edward H. Drummond offers hope with a program for overcoming chronic anxiety without the use of tranquilizers.
Benzo Blues: Overcoming Anxiety Without Tranquilizers Consumer's Guide to Psychiatric Drugs
Comprehensive overview of the current medical treatments for anxiety, mood, and psychotic disorders. Discusses diagnostic issues, biology of mental illness, drug to drug interactions, and addiction potentials.
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Consumer's Guide to Psychiatric Drugs Prescription Drug Abuse
Abusers discuss their methods and sources and disclose that many of them felt that because they had prescriptions, they were not really drug abusers.
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The Essential Guide to Psychiatric Drugs
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