$Unique_ID{BRK02146}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{TEMAZEPAM}
$Subject{Restoril (Sandoz)
temazepam (various manufacturers)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Restoril*0214601.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


TEMAZEPAM
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Restoril (Sandoz)
     temazepam (various manufacturers)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotic
INGREDIENT:
     temazepam
DOSAGE FORM:
     Capsules (15 mg and 30 mg)
STORAGE:
     This medication should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed,
light-resistant container.

USES

     Temazepam is prescribed to treat insomnia, including problems with
falling asleep, waking during the night, and early morning wakefulness.  It is
not clear exactly how this medicine works, but it may relieve insomnia by
acting as a depressant of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

TREATMENT

     This medicine should be taken 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime.  It can be
taken with food or a full glass of water if stomach upset occurs.  Do not take
this medication with antacids, since they may retard its absorption from the
gastrointestinal tract.
     If you are taking this medication regularly and you miss a dose, take the
missed dose immediately if you remember within an hour.  If more than an hour
has passed, do not take the missed dose at all; just wait for the next
scheduled dose.  Do not double the dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Bitter taste in the mouth, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness
(after a night's sleep), dry mouth, excessive salivation, fatigue, flushing,
headache, heartburn, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, sweating, or
vomiting.  As your body adjusts to the medication, these side effects should
disappear.
     To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     Dry mouth can be relieved by chewing sugarless gum or by sucking on ice
chips.
     If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a
sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
blurred or double vision, chest pain, depression, difficulty in urinating,
fainting, falling, fever, joint pain, hallucinations, mouth sores, nightmares,
palpitations, rash, severe depression, shortness of breath, slurred speech,
sore throat, uncoordinated movements, unusual excitement, unusual tiredness,
or yellowing of the eyes or skin.

INTERACTIONS

     Temazepam interacts with several other types of drugs:
     1. To prevent oversedation, this drug should not be taken with alcohol,
other sedative drugs, or central nervous system depressants (such as
antihistamines, barbiturates, muscle relaxants, pain medications, narcotics,
antiseizure medications, and phenothiazine tranquilizers) or with
antidepressants.
     2. Temazepam may decrease the effectiveness of carbamazepine, levodopa,
and oral anticoagulants (blood thinners) and may increase the effects of
phenytoin.
     3. Disulfiram, cimetidine, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), and
isoniazid can increase the blood levels of temazepam, which can lead to toxic
effects.
     4. Concurrent use of rifampin may decrease the effectiveness of
temazepam.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to temazepam or other benzodiazepine tranquilizers
(such as alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, diazepam, flurazepam,
halazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam, prazepam, and triazolam).
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had liver disease,
kidney disease, epilepsy, lung disease, myasthenia gravis, porphyria, mental
depression, or mental illness.
     * This medicine can cause drowsiness.  Avoid tasks that require
alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially dangerous machinery.
     * Temazepam has the potential for abuse and must be used with caution.
Tolerance may develop quickly; do not increase the dosage without first
consulting your doctor.  It is also important not to stop taking this drug
suddenly if you have been taking it in large amounts or if you have used it
for several weeks.  Your doctor may want to reduce the dosage gradually.
     * This is a safe drug when used properly.  When it is combined with other
sedative drugs or alcohol, however, serious side effects may develop.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  This type of medicine
may increase the chance of birth defects if it is taken during the first three
months of pregnancy.  In addition, use of this medicine during the last six
months of pregnancy may result in addiction of the fetus, leading to
withdrawal side effects in the newborn.  Also, use of this medicine during the
last weeks of pregnancy may cause excessive drowsiness, slowed heartbeat, and
breathing difficulties in the infant.  Tell your doctor if you are
breast-feeding an infant.  This medicine can pass into breast milk and cause
excessive drowsiness, slowed heartbeat, and breathing difficulties in nursing
infants.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
