Frequently Asked Questions
What is Restoril™ (temazepam)?
Restoril™ (temazepam) is a safe and effective prescription sleep medication indicated for short-term insomnia.
Restoril™ (temazepam) is classified as a benzodiazepine hypnotic and comes in capsule form in four different
doses: 7.5 mg, 15 mg, 22.5 mg, and 30 mg. The 7.5 mg dose was developed to provide patients with an option for taking
the lowest effective dose of a sleep agent. The 22.5 mg dose was recently introduced as an intermediate titration
option offering additional dosing flexibility.
How soon will I fall asleep?
After taking Restoril™ (temazepam), sleep typically occurs within 30 minutes. You should take Restoril™
(temazepam) when you are ready to go to sleep.
How long will I stay asleep?
After taking Restoril™ (temazepam), sleep typically lasts for 7 hours. You should be able to stay asleep and
wake up refreshed without next-day grogginess.
How long can I take Restoril™ (temazepam)?
Generally, Restoril™ (temazepam) is prescribed for short-term use only (7-10 days). Some people have chronic
sleep problems that may require more prolonged use of sleep medicine. However, you should not use these
medicines for long periods without talking with your doctor about the risks and benefits of prolonged use.
Will Restoril™ (temazepam) help my sleep problems?
Restoril™ (temazepam) is a safe and effective treatment for short-term insomnia. However, before taking
medication it is important to identify behavioral, psychological, or physical factors that may be contributing
to your sleep problems. Keeping track of your sleep habits through the use of a sleep diary is one way to help
your physician determine if medication is an appropriate treatment choice for you. Often, a combination of
treatment approaches, including medication and behavioral change, is necessary to improve sleep. Sleep disorders
typically do not improve without taking some action.
Are there any side effects?
Restoril™ (temazepam) has low potential for abuse or side effects and has been successfully prescribed for over
2 decades. However, as with all medications, patients may experience some side effects. Reported side effects
for Restoril™ (temazepam) capsules, as are common with other benzodiazepines, include the following:
drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, and difficulty with coordination. Call your doctor if you notice any
untoward side effects.
Restoril™ (temazepam) capsules are not to be taken with alcohol or other CNS depressants; until it is
known whether there is any carryover effect the next day, patients should exercise caution while doing anything
that requires complete alertness, including operating a car, aircraft, or machinery. Please read the
Restoril™ (temazepam) capsules complete prescribing
information for additional information.
Will I feel okay the next day?
Restoril™ (temazepam) studies show side effects were usually mild and of short duration. There is essentially
no lingering drowsiness, no daytime performance issues, and low potential for memory loss or the return of
insomnia (following drug discontinuation) associated with the use of Restoril™ (temazepam).
What makes Restoril™ (temazepam) different from other sleep medications?
Restoril™ (temazepam) has low potential for side effects. Unlike some other sleep medications, Restoril™
(temazepam) is broken down in the liver using a system that allows the drug to be easily distributed and
carried away so there is less concern for drug interactions, which is especially important in elderly
populations and patients taking multiple medications.
Can I take Restoril™ (temazepam) if I’m also taking other medications?
Generally, Restoril™ (temazepam) does not interfere with other medications, but you should always consult your
physician or pharmacists about the possibility of drug interactions. Restoril™ (temazepam) capsules are
not to be taken with alcohol or any other CNS depressants.
Can I take Restoril™ (temazepam) if I am pregnant or nursing?
No. Restoril™ (temazepam) capsules are prohibited for use during pregnancy because of potential risk to
the fetus. Precautions should be observed for patients who are nursing and those with impaired renal or hepatic
function or chronic pulmonary insufficiency.
Can Restoril™ (temazepam) be used in the elderly patient population?
Yes. Restoril™ (temazepam) can be safely used in most patient populations. In fact, clinical trials showed that
early morning awakening, a particular problem in elderly patients, was significantly reduced with Restoril™
(temazepam) use. Restoril™ (temazepam) capsules are ideally suited for elderly patients since the
medication is broken down in the liver using a system that allows the drug to be easily distributed and carried
away so there is less concern for drug interactions. Plus, with the 7.5 mg dose, patients can feel confident
about receiving the lowest effective dose for a full night’s sleep.
How can I use Restoril™ (temazepam) safely?
To ensure the safe and effective use of Restoril™ (temazepam) capsules or any other benzodiazepine
sleeping medicine, you should observe the following cautions:
- Restoril™ (temazepam) is a prescription medicine and should be used ONLY as directed by your doctor.
Follow your doctor’s instructions about how to take, when to take, and how long to take Restoril™ (temazepam).
- Never use Restoril™ (temazepam) or any other benzodiazepine sleeping medicine for longer than 1 or 2
weeks without first asking your doctor.
- If you notice any unusual or disturbing thoughts or behavior during treatment, contact your doctor.
- Tell your doctor about any medicines you may be taking, including medicines you may buy without a prescription.
You should also tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. DO NOT use alcohol while taking Restoril™ (temazepam)
capsules or any other benzodiazepine sleeping medicine.
- Do not take Restoril™ (temazepam) capsules or any other benzodiazepine sleeping medicine unless you
are able to get a full night’s sleep before you must be active again.
- Do not increase the prescribed dose of Restoril™ (temazepam) capsules or any other benzodiazepine
sleeping medicine unless instructed by your doctor.
- Use extreme care while doing anything that requires complete alertness, such as driving a car, operating
machinery, or piloting an aircraft when you first start taking Restoril™ (temazepam) until you know whether there
is any carryover effect the next day.
- Be aware that you may have more sleeping problems (rebound insomnia) the first night or two after stopping
Restoril™ (temazepam) capsules or any other benzodiazepine sleeping medicine.
- Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, if you are planning to become pregnant, or if you become
pregnant while taking Restoril™ (temazepam). Restoril™ (temazepam) capsules or any other benzodiazepine
sleeping medicine should not be taken at any time during pregnancy.
- As with all prescription medicines, never share Restoril™ (temazepam) capsules or any other
benzodiazepine sleeping medicine with anyone else. Always store Restoril™ (temazepam) in the original container
out of the reach of children.
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