Temazepam belongs to the class of medications called benzodiazepines. It is used for the treatment of short-term sleeping problems (7 to 10 days) associated with difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, or early morning awakenings.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended adult dose of temazepam ranges from 15 mg to 30 mg taken before going to bed. The lowest effective dose of medication should be used and treatment should normally not last longer than 7 to 10 consecutive days.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not take this medication if you:

• are allergic to temazepam or any ingredients of this medication
• are allergic to other benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, lorazepam)
• have a history of paradoxical reactions (unusual excitement) to alcohol or sedatives
• have myasthenia gravis
• have sleep apnea

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• abdominal discomfort 
• back ache 
• blurred vision 
• burning eyes 
• clumsiness or unsteadiness
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth 
• falls 
• fatigue 
• hangover 
• lack of energy 
• lightheadedness
• loss of appetite 
• spinning sensation 
• nightmares 
• weakness 

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• agitation
• anxiety
• behavioural changes, including:
• aggressiveness
• angry outbursts
• hyperactivity
• irritability
• excitement
• confusion
• falls and fractures 
• fast or pounding heartbeat
• hallucinations
• lack of memory (of events taking place after the medication was taken)
• overstimulation (sensory overload) 
• signs of depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)
• sleepwalking
• symptoms of withdrawal (e.g., diarrhea; concentration or memory problems; headache; anxiety or panic attacks; burning or prickling feeling in the hands, arms, legs, or feet; trouble sleeping; vomiting; sensitivity to noise, light, or touch) 

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• severe symptoms of withdrawal (e.g., feeling like you cannot move or respond, confusion, shivering, irregular heart rate, sweating, changes in thinking, hallucinations, seizures) 
• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
• slow, shallow, or weak breathing 
• symptoms of overdose (e.g., extreme sleepiness, confusion, slurred speech, slow shallow breathing, loss of balance and coordination, low blood pressure, uncontrolled eye rolling) 
• thoughts of suicide or self-harm

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Addiction potential: Temazepam can become habit-forming. Withdrawal symptoms, similar to those occurring with other benzodiazepines and alcohol, have been observed after stopping the medication suddenly after having taken it regularly over as little as 2 to 3 weeks. These symptoms of withdrawal include:

• abdominal cramps
• agitation
• confusion
• diarrhea
• extreme anxiety
• headache
• irritability
• memory impairment
• muscle pain
• nervousness
• restlessness
• sleep problems
• tension
• tremors
• vomiting

If you have been taking this medication for a while, it should be stopped gradually as directed by your doctor.

Alcohol and other medications that cause drowsiness: Do not combine this medication with alcohol, narcotic pain medications, or other medications (e.g., antidepressants, other sleeping pills, anxiety medications) that cause drowsiness. Doing so can cause additional drowsiness and reduced breathing as well as other side effects, which can be dangerous and possible fatal.

Anxiety or restlessness: An increase in daytime anxiety or restlessness has been observed during treatment with temazepam.

Complex sleep-related behaviours: Occasionally, people taking this medication have experienced instances of driving, preparing food and eating, making phone calls, and other activities while "sleeping". These events are generally not remembered. Taking temazepam along with other medications that cause drowsiness, including alcohol, appears to increase the risk for these behaviours. If you observe these behaviours in a family member who is taking this medication, or become aware of them yourself, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Confusion: This medication may affect mental efficiency (e.g., concentration, attention, and vigilance). The risk of confusion is greater for seniors and those with brain injury.

Depression or psychosis: Abnormal thinking and psychotic behavioral changes have been reported with benzodiazepines (e.g., aggressiveness). Particular caution is warranted in patients with a history of violent behaviour.

If you have a history of depression or other mental illness, this may be more likely to occur. If you experience symptoms of depression such as poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, or notice them in a family member who is taking this medication, contact your doctor as soon as possible. You should be closely monitored by your doctor for emotional and behaviour changes while taking this medication.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: You should not engage in hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness such as driving or operating machinery until the effects of this medication have worn off. Using alcohol or other drugs that cause drowsiness or sedation is not recommended.

Falls and fractures: Temazepam can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and decreased coordination. People taking temazepam may be at increased risk of falls resulting in bone fractures. This is more likely to occur when taken by seniors or people who are also taking other medications that cause drowsiness, including alcohol.

Kidney function: Kidney disease or reduced kidney function may cause this medication to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause this medication to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking this medication.

Memory disturbance: Amnesia, which may be more severe or less severe, has been reported following normal doses of this medication. Seniors are at particular risk.

Pregnancy: This medication may cause harm to a developing baby and should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if temazepam passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of temazepam have not been established for children below the age of 18 years.

Seniors: This medication should be at the lowest effective dose for the shortest period of time for seniors. Long-term use of this medication is not recommended. The sedative effects of temazepam may affect seniors more than others. Extra caution is needed, for example, when getting up during the night to avoid serious falls.

There may be an interaction between temazepam and any of the following:

• alcohol
• antihistamines (e.g., chlorpheniramine, cetirizine, diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine)
• antipsychotics (e.g., chlorpromazine, clozapine, haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone)
• azelastine
• barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital)
• benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, lorazepam)
• brimonidine
• buprenorphine
• buspirone
• cannabis
• chloral hydrate
• clonidine
• dantrolene
• diphenoxylate
• disulfiram
• efavirenz
• entacapone
• esketamine
• flunarizine
• guanfacine
• kava kava
• lemborexant
• melatonin
• methadone
• metoclopramide
• mirtazapine
• muscle relaxants (e.g., baclofen, cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, orphenadrine)
• nabilone
• narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine, fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone, tramadol)
• pramipexole
• ropinirole
• rotigotine
• scopolamine
• seizure medications (e.g., carbamazepine, clobazam, gabapentin, levetiracetam, phenytoin, topiramate)
• tapentadol
• tetrabenazine
• thalidomide
• theophyllines (e.g., aminophylline, oxtriphylline, theophylline)
• trazodone
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, desipramine, nortriptyline)
• valerian
• yohimbine
• zolpidem
• zopiclone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.