About Restoril
Restoril is a sedative-hypnotic of the benzodiazepine family of
drugs. It is prescribed for short term treatment of insomnia (see
Sleep Disorders), with
manufacturer's guidelines suggesting reevaluation after 7-10 days.
This treatment is not generally recommended for longer than 2-3
weeks.
Restoril is only available by prescription. Do not use this medication
with alcohol, narcotic pain medications, or other sedatives.
Restoril Side Effects
Drowsiness is an unavoidable, and intentional, side effect of this medication. Take it only before going to sleep for the night.
Common Side Effects: Dizziness, headache, fatigue, light-headedness,
nausea, nervousness, sluggish feeling. After treatment is stopped,
one or two nights of 'rebound' insomnia are typical. This effect
may be worsened if you stop treatment abruptly after using it for
several weeks. Speak to your doctor about the best way to step down
your dosage and end Restoril treatment.
Less Common Side Effects: Abdominal pain, agitation, altered
sex drive, blurred or altered vision, chest pain, confusion, constipation
or diarrhea, cramps, difficult urination, dry mouth, false sense
of well-being, fatigue, headache, nausea or vomiting, runny nose,
trembling, unusual weakness.
Uncommon to Rare Side Effects: Aggressive behavior, angry
outbursts, anxiety, cold or flu-like symptoms, confusion, delusions,
depression, excitement, hallucinations, insomnia, involuntary movements,
irritability, loss of coordination, low blood pressure, lowered
inhibitions (as in intoxication with alcohol), muscle weakness,
racing heartbeat, rash or itching, seizures, slurred speech, sores
in the mouth, strange behavior, temporary amnesia. Contact your
doctor as soon as possible if any of these conditions occur, particularly
if you have a history of depression or other personality disorder.
Cautions: Restoril is not for everyone. A history, or present
case, of any of the following conditions may be grounds for a doctor
to determine that you should try another treatment.
- Alcohol or drug abuse - may increase likelihood of Restoril
dependence
- Allergic reaction to Restoril, or other benzodiazepine.
Always tell your doctor about any allergies before starting a
medication, including food and dye reactions.
- Borderline personality disorder or a history of violent
behavior may be contraindications for treatment with this medication.
- Brain disease - may increase likelihood of side effects
from Restoril.
- Breathing difficulties such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema,
or any other chronic lung disease - Restoril may worsen this condition.
- Difficulty swallowing - This condition may become more
pronounced in children.
- Epilepsy or seizures - Abruptly starting or stopping
treatment with Restoril may increase seizures.
- Glaucoma - Restoril should not be prescribed to patients
with acute narrow-angle glaucoma. Patients receiving treatment
for open angle glaucoma should consult their doctor, as Restoril
may be an acceptable treatment for them.
- Hyperactivity - Benzodiazepines may worsen this condition.
- Kidney or liver problems - More Restoril may end up in
your bloodstream if you have a pre-existing kidney or liver condition,
increasing the likelihood of side effects.
- Major Depression - Benzodiazepines may worsen this condition,
and are known to increase suicidal ideation in depressed individuals.
- Myasthenia gravis - This autoimmune disorder characterized
by muscle weakness may be aggravated by Restoril treatment.
- Porphyria - Restoril (temazepam) is listed as an unsafe
drug for porphyria, an enzyme deficiency that can cause fragile
skin that is sensitive to sunlight, digestive difficulties, anxiety,
and reddish-brown urine.
- Psychosis or other serious mental illness - Restoril has
not proved to be an effective treatment for these conditions,
and might not be recommended due to potential side effects.
- Sleep apnea (temporary suspension of breathing during
sleep, typically accompanied by snoring) - Restoril may worsen
sleep apnea by further relaxing loose tissue in the breathing
passages thought to cause the problem. Individuals with sleep
apnea should not generally use sedatives as sleep aids. (See Sleep
Disorders)
Restoril Interactions
Restoril should not be combined with all other medications, whether prescription, herbal, or over the counter. This medication is a central nervous system depressant, and should be used cautiously with any other medications that cause drowsiness or sedation. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if you take, or plan to take, any of the following during treatment. You may wish to have them help you design a medication schedule that prevents certain treatments from interfering with each other, though certain of these drugs should not be used with Restoril at all.
- Adalat (nifedipine)
- Alcohol - Restoril should not be mixed with alcohol, individuals
are advised to avoid it completely during treatment.
- Any medication which may cause drowsiness
- Antibiotics (macrolide antibiotics) like azithromycin, biaxin,
clarythromycin, or erythromycin
- Antihistamines like Tavist or Benadryl
- Antiseizure medication like Cerebyx (fosphenytoin), Dilantin
(phenytoin), or Tegretol (carbamazepine) - these medications
may decrease each other's effectiveness.
- Benzodiazepines of any other type, such as Valium
(diazepam), Klonopin
(clonazepam), Halcion (triazolam),
Librium(chlordiazepoxide),
Tranxene-SD (clorazepate), Paxipam (halazepam), Ativan
(lorazepam), ProSom (estazolam), or Xanax
(alprazolam).
- BuSpar (buspirone) -
Can result in oversedation.
- Calan (verapamil)
- Cardene (nicardipine)
- Cardizem (diltiazem)
- Desyrel (trazodone) - Risk of additive
CNS depression.
- Diflucan (fluconazole) - This antifungal may cause undesirable
buildup of Restoril, leading to increased side effects and longer
presence in the body.
- Isoniazid (Nydrazid)
- Kava kava - Do not use this herb while taking Restoril.
- Lopressor (metoprolol) -Can result in oversedation.
- MAO inhibitors - Restoril should not be mixed with MAO (monoamine
oxidase) inhibitors, a class of antidepressants and antisenility
drugs, such as Eldepryl (selegiline), Furoxone (furazolidone),
Nardil (phenelzine), Marplan (isocarboxazid), or Parnate (tranylcypromine).
- Muscle relaxants such as Flexeril
(cyclobenzaprine), Skelaxin
(metaxalone), Soma (carisoprodol),
or Robaxin (methocarbamol)
may cause oversedation in combination with this medication.
- Mysoline (primidone) - May cause oversedation.
- Narcotic analgesics of any kind, like Darvon (propoxyphene),
Darvocet (propoxyphene, acetaminophen), Demerol
(meperidine), Codeine, Percocet
(oxycodone, acetaminophen), Vicodin
(hydrocodone, acetaminophen), Vicoprofen
(hydrocodone and ibuprofen) or OxyContin
(oxycodone) should likely be taken in much lower doses while
using Restoril, and should probably not be taken concurrently
or within two hours of use. Speak to your doctor for specific
instructions.
- Nizoral (ketoconazole) - This antifungal may cause undesirable
buildup of Restoril, leading to increased side effects and longer
presence in the body.
- Norflex (orphenadrine)
- Risk of oversedation.
- Oral contraceptives - May increase the effects of Restoril.
- Phenobarbitol, Fioricet
(butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine), Fiorinal,
Seconal, or other barbiturates may cause oversedation.
- Prilosec (omeprazole) - This antifungal may cause undesirable
buildup of Restoril, leading to increased side effects and longer
presence in the body.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Celexa
(citalopram), Paxil (paroxetine),
Prozac (fluoxetine), Luvox (fluvoxamine), or Zoloft (sertraline).
- Serzone (nefazodone)
- Sinemet (carbidopa, levadopa) can cause oversedation.
- Sleep medication like Ambien
(zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplon),
or over the counter sleeping pills should be not be used with
Restoril.
- Sporanox (itraconazole) - This antifungal may cause undesirable
buildup of Restoril, leading to increased side effects and longer
presence in the body.
- Street drugs - Marijuana may increase sedative effects from
Restoril. You should refrain from using any illegal drugs while
taking prescription medication, as it greatly increases the risk
of adverse side effects and overdose.
- St. John's Wort - Do not take this herb while taking Restoril.
- Tagamet (cimetidine)
- Tranquilizers such as Haldol (haloperidol), Mellaril (thioridazine),
or Thorazine (chlorpromazine) may cause oversedation.
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil
(amitriptyline), Asendin (amoxapine), Anafranil (clomipramine),
Pertofrane or Norpramin (desipramine), Sinequan
(doxepin), Tofranil (imipramine), Aventyl or Pamelor (nortriptyline),
Vivactil (protriptyline), and Surmontil (trimipramine), may be
less effective in combination with Restoril.
- Ultram (tramadol) - May increase
the risk of oversedation, and lower the threshold for seizure.
- Valerian - Do not take this herb while taking Restoril.
- Zantac (ranitidine)
Only your doctor can determine if a medication is safe for you
to use during treatment. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if you
should need to start taking another medication (even over the counter
treatments) while you are using Restoril.
Restoril Dosages
The common recommended dose for Restoril is 15 mg. Though some
people may need up to 30 mg, this dose should not be exceeded. Elderly
or ill patients may find that a dose of 7.5 mg works for them, though
some may tolerate larger doses.
Restoril Directions
Take Restoril only when you will be able to sleep for 7-8 hours
without interruption, to allow it to clear from the body. If this
medication is taken when you are travelling, consuming alcohol,
or do not have time to sleep, a temporary amnesia may occur for
the duration of the drug's presence in the body.
Do not increase your dose of Restoril without instructions from
your doctor. While this medication is not considered necessary,
you run an increased risk of side effects like rebound insomnia
if you miss doses or discontinue use abruptly. If you should miss
a dose, do not take another one until the following night when instructed
by your doctor. Do not take double doses of this medication.
Do not discontinue treatment abruptly, or without the advice of
your doctor. Withdrawal symptoms may range from mild insomnia, to
cramps, sweating, and tremor, depending on the length of use and
dosage taken. Gradual withdrawal under the guidance of your physician
is recommended.
Inform your doctor, dentist, or anesthesiologist that you are taking
Restoril before any kind of surgery or medical test. This medication
may interfere with certain test results. Restoril should not be combined
with certain medications given during surgery.
Store Restoril away from direct light and heat. Store in a dry location;
avoid storing it in the bathroom, near sinks, or other areas where
it may become damp. Do not use after the expiration date.
Keep Restoril away from children; both when storing it, and when
discarding any unused medication.
Restoril was designed to cause drowsiness, and may cause disorientation
or temporary amnesia if you remain awake while using it. Do not
take it before planning to drive or engage in any other potentially
hazardous activity. Take this sedative only as you are preparing
to sleep, at a time suggested by your doctor based on your usual
bedtime.
Restoril and Pregnancy
While Restoril trials have not been conducted in humans, the benzodiazepine
family of drugs is considered to increase the potential risk of
birth defects, fetal dependency, and floppy baby syndrome after
birth or while nursing. It should not be taken by pregnant or nursing
women.
Restoril and Children
Restoril has not been established to be a safe and effective treatment for children under 18.
Restoril and Seniors
Older adults taking Restoril are usually encouraged to start with
smaller doses and limit intake to the smallest effective dose. Seniors
are more likely to become too heavily sedated, experience decreased
muscle coordination, an increased risk of falls, or hangover effects
the next day.
Temazepam is manufactured by Geneva and Mylan
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This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute
for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms
or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general
guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor
or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made
every effort to ensure that this information is accurate,
but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination,
is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
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