|
What is the most important information I should know about temazepam?
|
|
• |
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing
other hazardous activities. Temazepam will cause drowsiness and may
cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these
activities. Take temazepam only when you are ready to get into bed. |
|
• |
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and
dizziness while taking temazepam. |
|
• |
Temazepam may be habit forming. Physical and/ or
psychological dependence can occur, and withdrawal effects are possible
if the medication is stopped suddenly after prolonged or high-dose
treatment. Do not stop taking temazepam suddenly without first talking
to your doctor if you have been taking it continuously for more than 5
to 7 days. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce the dose. |
|
• |
Temazepam is in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines.
Temazepam affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and
cause insomnia or anxiety. |
|
• |
Temazepam is used to induce sleep and cause relaxation. |
|
• |
Temazepam may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide |
|
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
temazepam?
|
|
• |
Do not take temazepam without first talking to your doctor if
you have narrow-angle glaucoma. Temazepam may worsen this condition. |
|
• |
Before taking temazepam, talk to your doctor if you |
| |
· |
have asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or another respiratory
disease; or |
| |
· |
are depressed or have suicidal thoughts. |
|
• |
You may not be able to take temazepam, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the
conditions listed above. |
|
• |
Temazepam must not be taken if you are pregnant. It is in the FDA
pregnancy category X. This means that it is known to cause birth defects
in an unborn baby. Do not take temazepam if you are pregnant or
could become pregnant during treatment. |
|
• |
It is not known whether temazepam passes into breast milk. Do not
take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby. |
|
• |
If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to
experience side effects from temazepam. Your doctor may prescribe a
lower dose of this medication. |
|
How should I take temazepam?
|
|
• |
Take temazepam exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to
explain them to you. |
|
• |
Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
|
• |
Take temazepam just before you get into bed. Temazepam will cause
drowsiness, and falling could occur if the dose too long before getting
into bed. |
|
• |
Do not take more than is prescribed for you. |
|
• |
Temazepam may be habit forming. Physical and/ or psychological
dependence can occur, and withdrawal effects are possible if the
medication is stopped suddenly after prolonged or high-dose treatment.
Do not stop taking temazepam suddenly without first talking to your
doctor if you have been taking it continuously for more than 5 to 7 days.
Your doctor may want to gradually reduce the dose. |
|
• |
Store temazepam at room temperature away from moisture and heat. |
|
What happens if I miss a dose?
|
|
• |
Since temazepam is usually taken as needed, missing a dose is not
usually a problem. |
|
What happens if I overdose?
|
|
• |
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. |
|
• |
Symptoms of a temazepam overdose may include sleepiness, dizziness,
confusion, a slow heart beat, difficulty breathing, difficulty walking
and talking, the appearance of being drunk, and unconsciousness. |
|
What should I avoid while taking temazepam?
|
|
• |
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other
hazardous activities. Temazepam will cause drowsiness and may cause
dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these
activities. Take temazepam only when you are ready to get into bed. |
|
• |
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and
dizziness while taking temazepam. |
|
• |
Temazepam may increase the effects of other drugs that cause
drowsiness or dizziness, including antidepressants, alcohol, sedatives (used
to treat insomnia), other pain relievers, anxiety medicines, muscle
relaxants, and antihistamines. Do not drink alcohol and do not take any
medicine without first talking to your doctor while taking temazepam. |
|
What are the possible side effects of temazepam?
|
|
• |
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop
taking temazepam and seek emergency medical attention or contact your
doctor immediately: |
| |
· |
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives); |
| |
· |
sores in the mouth or throat; |
| |
· |
yellowing of the skin or eyes; |
| |
· |
hallucinations or severe confusion; or |
|
• |
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take temazepam and talk to your doctor if you experience |
| |
· |
drowsiness, dizziness, or clumsiness; |
| |
· |
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation; |
| |
· |
decreased sex drive; or |
|
• |
Temazepam may be habit forming. Physical and/ or psychological
dependence can occur, and withdrawal effects are possible if the
medication is stopped suddenly after prolonged or high-dose treatment.
Do not stop taking temazepam suddenly without first talking to your
doctor if you have been taking it continuously for more than 5 to 7 days.
Your doctor may want to gradually reduce the dose. |
|
• |
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to
your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
|
What other drugs will affect temazepam?
|
|
• |
Temazepam may increase the effects of other drugs that cause
drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, pain
relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants.
Dangerous sedation, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur if temazepam is
taken with any of these medications. Tell your doctor about all
medicines that you are taking, and do not take any other medicines
except under the direction of your doctor. |
|
• |
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with temazepam.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or
over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal
products. |
|
Where can I get more information?
|
|
• |
Your pharmacist has additional information about temazepam written
for health professionals that you may read. |
|
• |
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed. |
|
• |
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided
by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed
to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and
not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given
patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 6.01. Revision date: 2/
13/ 04. |