A benzodiazepine derivative that is primarily used to treat insomnia.
[Perhaps inversion of MET(HYL) + (OX)AZEPAM.]
Dictionary:
te·maz·e·pam (tə-măz'ə-păm') ![]() |
A benzodiazepine derivative that is primarily used to treat insomnia.
[Perhaps inversion of MET(HYL) + (OX)AZEPAM.]
| 5min Related Video: temazepam |
| Dental Dictionary: temazepam |
trade name: Restoril; drug class: benzodiazepine, sedative-hypnotic (Controlled Substance Schedule IV); action: produces central nervous system (CNS) depression at limbic, thalamic, hypothalamic levels of the CNS; uses: sedative and hypnotic for insomnia.
| Drug Info: Temazepam |
Brand names: Restoril®
Chemical formula:

Temazepam Oral capsule
What is this medicine?
TEMAZEPAM is a benzodiazepine. It is used to help you to fall asleep and sleep through the night.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
an alcohol or drug abuse problem
bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis or other mental health condition
kidney disease
liver disease
lung or breathing disease
myasthenia gravis
Parkinson's disease
porphyria
seizures or a history of seizures
suicidal thoughts
an unusual or allergic reaction to temazepam, other benzodiazepines, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth. It is only for use at bedtime. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets or capsules with a drink of water. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food or milk. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on the advice of your doctor or health care professional.
A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply.What may interact with this medicine?
barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures, like phenobarbital
herbal or dietary supplements, like kava kava, melatonin, or valerian
medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, like alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam or triazolam
medicines for depression, mental problems or psychiatric disturbances
phenytoin
prescription pain medicines
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. This medicine is for short-term periods of use. If sleep medicine is taken every night for a long time it may no longer help you to sleep. Your body can become dependent on this medicine, ask your doctor or health care professional if you still need to take it. However, if you have been taking this medicine regularly for some time, do not suddenly stop taking it. You must gradually reduce the dose or you may get severe side effects. Ask your doctor or health care professional for advice.
Do not take this medicine unless you are able to get a full night's sleep before you must be active again. You may not be able to remember things that you do in the hours after you take this medicine. Some people have reported driving, making phone calls, or preparing and eating food while asleep after taking sleep medicine. Take this medicine right before going to sleep. Tell your doctor if you are have any problems with your memory.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds or allergies without asking your doctor or health care professional for advice.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
confusion
depression
feeling faint or lightheaded
hallucinations
memory loss
mood changes, excitability or aggressive behavior
muscle cramps
problems with balance, speaking, walking
suicidal thoughts
tremors
unusually weak or tired
unusual activities while asleep like driving, eating, making phone calls
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
dizziness, drowsiness
headache
increased dreaming
nausea, vomiting
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children. This medicine can be abused. Keep your medicine in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share this medicine with anyone. Selling or giving away this medicine is dangerous and against the law.
Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Last updated: 7/1/2002
Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.
| Wikipedia: Temazepam |
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Temazepam
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| Systematic (IUPAC) name | |
| 7-Chloro-1,3-dihydro- 3-hydroxy-1-methyl-5-phenyl- 1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one |
|
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | |
| ATC code | N05 |
| PubChem | |
| DrugBank | |
| ChemSpider | |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | C16H13ClN2O2 |
| Mol. mass | 300.7 g/mol |
| SMILES | & |
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | 96% |
| Metabolism | Hepatic |
| Half life | 8–20 hours |
| Excretion | Renal |
| Therapeutic considerations | |
| Pregnancy cat. | |
| Legal status |
Prescription Only (S4)(AU) Schedule IV(CA) Class C(UK) Schedule IV(US) IV (International) |
| Routes | Therapeutic: Oral Recreational Abuse: Intravenous (IV), Intramuscular (IM), Insufflated, Sprinkled in ethanol, smoked |
Temazepam (marketed under brand names Normison, Temtabs, Euhypnos, Restoril, Remestan, Tenox and Norkotral) is an intermediate-acting 3-hydroxy benzodiazepine. It is generally prescribed for the short-term treatment of sleeplessness in patients who have difficulty maintaining sleep. Temazepam is not effective for induction of sleep.[1] In addition, temazepam has anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), anticonvulsant, and skeletal muscle relaxant properties.[2][3][4]
Contents |
Temazepam was first synthesized in 1964, but it first came into use in 1969 when its ability to counter insomnia was realized.[5] By the late 1980s, temazepam was one of the most popular and widely prescribed hypnotics on the market and it became one of the most widely prescribed drugs.
Temazepam is a hypnotic agent. In sleep laboratory studies, temazepam significantly decreased the number of nightly awakenings.[6]
Temazepam is officially indicated for severe insomnia and other severe or disabling sleep disorders. The prescribing guidelines limit prescribing of hypnotics to two-four weeks due to concerns of tolerance and physical dependence.[7]
Use of temazepam should be avoided, when possible, in individuals with the following conditions:
Temazepam should not be used in pregnancy, as it may cause harm to the fetus. The safety and effectiveness of temazepam has not been established in children; temazepam should therefore generally not be given to individuals under 18 years of age, and should not be used at all in children under 6 months old.
The smallest possible effective dose should be used in elderly or very ill patients, as there is a risk of apnea and/or cardiac arrest. This risk is increased when temazepam is given concomitantly with other drugs that depress the central nervous system.[8]
Since benzodiazepines can be abused and lead to psychological dependence, their use should be avoided in people in certain particularly high risk groups. High risk groups include people with a history of alcohol or drug abuse or dependence, emotionally unstable patients, people with severe personality disorders (such as Borderline Personality Disorder). If temazepam is indeed prescribed to people in these groups, they should generally be monitored very closely for signs of abuse and development of psychological dependence.[7]
Side effects typical of hypnotic benzodiazepines are related to CNS depression, and include somnolence, dizziness, fatigue, ataxia, headache, lethargy, impairment of memory and learning, increased reaction time and impairment of motor functions (including coordination problems),[9] slurred speech, decreased physical performance, numbed emotions, reduced alertness, muscle weakness, blurred vision (in higher doses), and inattention. Euphoria was rarely reported with the use of temazepam. According to the FDA, temazepam had an incidences of euphoria of 1.5%, much more rarely reported than headaches and diarrhea.[8] Anterograde amnesia may also develop, as may respiratory depression in higher doses.
Hyperhydrosis, hypotension, burning eyes, changes in libido, hallucinations, faintness, horizontal nystagmus, vomiting, pruritus, gastrointestinal disturbances, nightmares, palpitation and paradoxical reactions including restlessness, aggression, violence, over stimulation and agitation have been reported, but are rare (less than 0.5%).
Before taking temazepam, one should ensure that at least 8 hours are available to dedicate to sleep. Failing to do so can increase the side effects of the drug.
The use of this drug in combination with alcohol potentiates the side effects, and can lead to toxicity and death. Though rare, residual 'hangover' effects after night time administration of temazepam such as sleepiness, impaired psychomotor and cognitive functions may persist into the next day, which may impair the ability of users to drive safely or may increase the risks of falls and hip fractures.[10]
Tolerance
Chronic or excessive use of temazepam may cause drug tolerance, which can develop rapidly,[11] so this drug is therefore not recommended for long-term use.[8][12] In 1979 the Institute of Medicine (USA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse stated that most hypnotics lose their sleep-inducing properties after about 3 to 14 days.[13] In use longer than 1–2 weeks, tolerance will frequently develop towards the ability of temazepam to maintain sleep, so that the drug loses effectiveness.[14] Some studies have observed tolerance to temazepam after as little as one week's use.[15] Another study examined the short-term effects of the accumulation of temazepam over 7 days in elderly inpatients, and found that little tolerance developed during the accumulation of the drug.[16] Other studies examined the use of temazepam over six days and saw no evidence of tolerance.[17][18] A study in 11 young male subjects showed that significant tolerance occurs to temazepam's thermoregulatory effects and sleep inducing properties after 1 week of use of 30 mg temazepam. Body temperature is well correlated with the sleep inducing or insomnia promoting properties of drugs.[19]
In one study the drug sensitivity of people who had used temazepam for 1–20 years was no different from that of controls.[20] In an additional study in which at least one of the authors is employed by multiple drug companies examined the efficacy of temazepam treatment on chronic insomnia over three months and saw no drug tolerance, with the authors even suggesting that the drug might become more effective over time.[21][22][23]
The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine published a paper which had carried out a systematic review of the medical literature concerning insomnia medications and raised concerns about benzodiazepine receptor agonist drugs, the benzodiazepines and the Z-drugs that are used as hypnotics in humans. The review found that almost all trials of sleep disorders and drugs are sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry. It was found that the odds ratio for finding results favorable to industry in industry-sponsored trials was 3.6 times higher than non-industry-sponsored studies and that 24% of authors did not disclose being funded by the drug companies in their published paper when they were funded by the drug companies. The paper found that there is little research into hypnotics that is independent from the drug manufacturers.[24] Establishing continued efficacy beyond a few weeks can be complicated by the difficulty in distinguishing between the return of the original insomnia complaint and withdrawal or rebound related insomnia. Sleep EEG studies on hypnotic benzodiazepines show that tolerance tends to occur completely after one to four weeks with sleep EEG returning to pretreatment levels. The paper concluded that due to concerns about long term use both toxicity and tolerance and dependence as well as controversy over long term efficacy that wise prescribers should restrict benzodiazepines to a few weeks and avoid continuing prescriptions for months or years.[25] A review of the literature found that non-pharmacological treatment options were a more effective treatment option for insomnia due to their sustained improvements in sleep quality.[26]
Physical dependence
Temazepam like other benzodiazepine drugs can cause physical dependence and addiction. Withdrawal from temazepam or other benzodiazepines after regular use often leads to a benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome, which resembles symptoms during alcohol and barbiturate withdrawal. The higher the dose and the longer the drug is taken for, the greater the risk of experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can also occur from standard dosages and after short term use. Abrupt withdrawal from therapeutic doses of temazepam after long term use may result in a severe benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. Gradual and careful reduction of the dosage, preferably with a long-acting benzodiazepine with long half life active metabolites such as chlordiazepoxide or diazepam is recommended, to prevent severe withdrawal syndromes from developing. Other hypnotic benzodiazepines are not recommended. [27] A study in rats found that temazepam is cross tolerant with barbiturates and is able to effectively substitute for barbiturates and suppress barbiturate withdrawal signs.[28] There are rare reports in the medical literature of psychotic states developing after abrupt withdrawal from benzodiazepines, even from therapeutic doses.[29] Antipsychotics increase the severity of benzodiazepine withdrawal effects with an increase in the intensity and severity of convulsions.[30] Patients who were treated in the hospital with temazepam or nitrazepam have continued taking these after leaving the hospital. It was recommended that hypnotics in the hospital be limited to 5 nights use only, to avoid the development of withdrawal symptoms like insomnia.[31]
It is a white, crystalline substance, is very slightly soluble in water and sparingly soluble in alcohol. The main pharmacological action of temazepam is to increase the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) at the GABAA receptor. This causes sedation, motor-impairment, ataxia, anxiolysis, anticonvulsant effect, muscle relaxation and reinforcing effect.[32] As a premedication before surgery, temazepam decreased cortisol in elderly patients.[33] In rats, temazepam triggered the release of vasopressin into paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and decreased the release of ACTH under stress.[34]
Oral administration of 15 to 45 mg temazepam in man resulted in rapid absorption with significant blood levels achieved in less than 30 minutes and peak levels at 2 to 3 hours.[35] In a single and multiple dose absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) study, using tritium (3H) labelled drug, temazepam was well absorbed and found to have minimal (8%) first pass drug metabolism. There were no active metabolites formed and the only significant metabolite present in blood was the O-conjugate. The unchanged drug was 96% bound to plasma proteins. The blood level decline of the parent drug was biphasic with the short half-life ranging from 0.4-0.6 hours and the terminal half-life from 3.5–18.4 hours (mean 8.8 hours), depending on the study population and method of determination.[36]
Temazepam has very good bioavailability with 100% being absorbed from the gut. The drug is metabolized through conjugation and demethylation prior to excretion. Most of the drug is excreted in the urine, with about 20% appearing in the feces. The major metabolite was the O-conjugate of temazepam (90%); the O-conjugate of N-desmethyl temazepam was a minor metabolite (7%).[37]
As other benzodiazepines, temazepam produces additive CNS depressant effects when co-administered with other medications which themselves produce CNS depression, such as barbiturates, alcohol,[38] opiates, tricyclic antidepressants, non-selective MAO inhibitors, phenothiazines and other antipsychotics, skeletal muscle relaxants, antihistamines and anaesthetics. Administration of theophylline or aminophylline has been shown to reduce the sedative effects of temazepam and other benzodiazepines.
Unlike many benzodiazepines, pharmacokinetic interactions involving the P450 system have not been observed with temazepam. Temazepam shows no significant interaction with CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. itraconazole, erythromycin).[39] Oral contraceptives may decrease the effectiveness of temazepam and speed up its elimination half life.[40]
Overdosage of temazepam results in increasing CNS effects, including:
Temazepam has the highest rate of drug intoxication, including overdose, among the common benzodiazepines.[41] Temazepam and nitrazepam were the two benzodiazepines most commonly detected in overdose-related deaths in an Australian study of drug deaths. [42] A 1993 British study found temazepam to have the highest number of deaths per million prescriptions among medications commonly prescribed in the 1980s (11.9, versus 5.9 for benzodiazepines overall, taken with or without alcohol).[43] A 1995 Australian study of patients admitted to hospital after benzodiazepine overdose corroborated these results, and found temazepam overdose much more likely to lead to coma in comparison to other benzodiazepines (odds ratio 1.86). The authors note that several factors—such as differences in potency, receptor affinity, and rate of absorption between benzodiazepines—could explain this relatively higher toxicity.[41]
Although benzodiazepines have a relatively high therapeutic index, temazepam is one of the more dangerous of this group of drugs.
The combination of alcohol and temazepam makes death by alcohol poisoning more likely.[44]
Temazepam is a drug with the potential for misuse. Drug misuse is defined as taking the drug to achieve a high, or continuing to take the drug in the long term against medical advice.[45]
In North America, temazepam abuse is not widespread. Other benzodiazepines are more commonly prescribed for insomnia. In the United States, temazepam is the fifth most prescribed benzodiazepine. Individuals abusing benzodiazepines obtain the drug by getting prescriptions from several doctors, forging prescriptions, or buying diverted pharmaceutical products on the illicit market.[46] North America never had a serious problem with temazepam abuse, but is becoming increasingly vulnerable to the illicit trade of temazepam.[47]
Temazepam accounts for most benzodiazepine sought by forgery of prescriptions and through pharmacy burglary in Victoria.[48] Due to intravenous abuse, the Australian government decided to put it under a more restrictive schedule than it previously was,[49] and since March 2004 temazepam capsules have been withdrawn from the Australian market.[50][51] Benzodiazepines are commonly detected by Customs at different ports and airports, arriving by mail, also found occasionally in the baggage of air passengers, mostly small or medium quantities (up to 200–300 tablets) for personal use. From 2003 to 2006 customs detected approximately 500 illegal importations of benzodiazepines per year, most frequently diazepam. Quantities varied from single tablets to 2,000 tablets.[52][53]
In 1987, Temazepam was the most widely-abused legal prescription drug in the United Kingdom. The use of benzodiazepines by street drug abusers was part of a polydrug abuse pattern, but many of those entering treatment facilities were declaring temazepam as their main drug of abuse. Temazepam was the most commonly used benzodiazepine in a study, published 1994, of injecting drug users in seven cities and had been injected from preparations of capsules, tablets and syrup.[54] The increase in use of heroin, often mixed with other drugs, which most often included temazepam, diazepam and alcohol, was a major factor in the increase in drug related deaths in Glasgow and Edinburgh 1990-1992.[55] Temazepam use was particularly associated with violent or disorderly behaviours and contact with the police in a 1997 study of young single homeless people in Scotland.[56]
Street terms for temazepam include king kong pills (formerly referred to barbiturates, now more commonly refers to temazepam), jellies, jelly, Edinburgh eccies, tams, terms, mazzies, temazies, tammies, temmies, beans, eggs, green eggs, wobbly eggs, knockouts, hardball, norries, oranges (common term in Australia and New Zealand), rugby balls, ruggers, terminators, red and blue, no-gos, blackout, green devils, drunk pills, brainwash, mind erasers, tem-tem's (combined with buprenorphine), mommy's big helper, vitamin T, big T, TZ, on the nod (under the influence of heroin and temazepam together), and others.[57][58]
Temazepam is currently a Schedule III drug under the international Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971.[59]
In the United Kingdom, all benzodiazepines, including temazepam are Class C controlled drugs under the misuse of drugs act. Temazepam is available only by a special controlled drug prescription form and requires special procedures in its storage and dispensing.[60] Additionally, all manufacturers in the UK have replaced the gel-capsules with solid tablets. Temazepam prepared for injection is classed as a Class A drug.
In the USA, temazepam is a Schedule IV drug and is only available by prescription. Specially coded prescriptions may be required in certain States.
In Canada, temazepam is a Schedule IV controlled substance requiring a registered doctors prescription.
In Ireland, temazepam is a Schedule 3 controlled substance with strict restrictions.[61]
In Portugal, temazepam is a Schedule II controlled drug with a Class C classification under the The Decree-Law N.º 15/93.
In the Netherlands temazepam is a List 2 substance of the Opium Law and is available for prescription as 10–20 mg tablets. The 20 mg gel-capsules are a List 1 substance of the Opium Law and thus is subject to stringent regulation.
In Norway, temazepam is a "narcotic" drug listed as a Class A drug (According to the norwegian narcotics list), and though all benzodiazepine derivates and analogues are considered narcotic, all the rest are Class B. Temazepam is not legally available by prescription. Possession of even small amounts are punishable with a fine and/or jail.
In Sweden, temazepam is a "narcotic" drug list as both a List I (Schedule I) which denotes that it is an illegal drug without medical use or value, and it's also listed as a List V (Schedule V) substance which denotes that the drug is prohibited in Sweden under the Narcotics Drugs Act (1968).[62] Temazepam is banned in Sweden and possession and distribution of even small amounts is punishable by a prison sentence and a fine.
In Australia, prescription is restricted as a Schedule 4 controlled drug.[63] It is used primarily for the treatment of severe insomnia that has not responded to other treatments.
In Slovenia, it is regulated as a Group II (Schedule 2) controlled substance under The Production and Trade in Illicit Drugs Act.[64][65]
In South Africa, temazepam is a Schedule 6 drug, requiring a special prescription, and is restricted to 10–20 mg doses.
In Singapore, temazepam is a Class A controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act along with one other benzodiazepine, nimetazepam. As a Class A controlled drug, it is a Schedule I drug available only by private prescription from a registered doctor. Temazepam is only used as a last resort hypnotic to treat severe or debilitating insomnia that has not responded to other treatments. The clandestine manufacture, possession, trafficking, and distribution of temazepam is punishable by death.
In Hong Kong, temazepam is regulated under Schedule 1 of Hong Kong's Chapter 134 Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. Temazepam can only be used legally by health professionals and for university research purposes. The substance can be given by pharmacists under a prescription. Anyone who supplies the substance without prescription can be fined $10000 (HKD). The penalty for trafficking or manufacturing the substance is a $5,000,000 (HKD) fine and life imprisonment. Possession of the substance for consumption without license from the Department of Health is illegal with a $1,000,000 (HKD) fine and/or 7 years of jail time.[66]
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| Restoril (trademark) | |
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