Can't sleep at night? Do you toss and turn for hours after going to bed? Sometimes, for such sleep problems, or as we call it, insomnia, doctors prescribe a medicine for short-term use. Temazepam is one such medicine. If your doctor has prescribed this for you, it is very important to be fully aware of it. Today, we will talk about this medicine in detail and very simply.
What is Temazepam?
Simply put, Temazepam is a medication that helps you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer without waking up in the middle of the night. But remember, it is usually only given for a short period of time . It can become addictive if you use it continuously.
This medication belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. These drugs work by calming our brain activity, slowing down the nervous system, relaxing the body and mind, and inducing sleep.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
It is important for your doctor to have a complete history of your health before prescribing this medication. If you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Health condition or opportunity | Inform the doctor. |
|---|---|
| Kidney or liver disease | Yes, definitely say so. |
| Lung or breathing diseases (e.g. asthma) | Yes, this is important because this medicine can slow breathing. |
| Any mental health problem (such as depression, anxiety) | Yes, because this medication can alter some mental states. |
| Myasthenia Gravis or Parkinson's disease | Yes, these medical conditions can have an impact. |
| Conditions such as seizures or porphyria | Yes, definitely let me know. |
| If there is a drug or alcohol addiction | Yes, this is very important. There is a risk of addiction to this medicine too. |
| If you or someone in your family has had suicidal thoughts | Yes, this is a very important point. |
| If you have an allergy to temazepam, other benzodiazepines, or any other medicine or food. | Yes, definitely say so. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | Very important! This medicine can harm the fetus. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | Yes, the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
How should I use this medicine?
- This is a medicine that you should take at night before going to bed.
- Take the exact dose as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more or less.
- Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
- If you feel upset after taking the medicine, take it with some food or a glass of milk.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once.
- Most importantly: Never stop taking this medication suddenly without your doctor's advice. Doing so can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. If you do stop, do so as directed by your doctor, gradually reducing the dosage.
What if I take too much medicine? (Overdose)
If you think you have taken too much medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Do not delay.
This medicine is for you only. Do not give it to anyone else for any reason. This is a potentially addictive medicine, so doing so is dangerous and illegal.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Temazepam is a drug that can interact with other medications, such as alcohol. Therefore, tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies).
| Never take temazepam with these! | |
|---|---|
| Some opioid-containing cough medicines | Sodium oxybate |
| Be extra careful when taking temazepam with these | |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Causes excessive drowsiness and difficulty breathing. Very dangerous. |
| Medicines for allergies, coughs and colds (Antihistamines) | Increases drowsiness. |
| Medications for anxiety or other sleep problems | There is an increased risk of side effects. |
| Some medications for depression (e.g. amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline) | Use only on doctor's advice. |
| Opioid pain medication | Very dangerous. Causes extreme drowsiness and breathing difficulties. |
| Muscle relaxants used during surgery | Tell your doctor if you are having surgery. |
Things to be careful about while taking the medicine
Morning drowsiness and other effects
Make sure to get 7-8 hours of sleep after taking this medicine. If you don't, you may feel very sleepy the next morning. This medicine may affect your coordination and reaction time. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know exactly how this medicine affects you. To avoid dizziness and fainting, stand up straight when sitting or getting out of bed.
Unusual sleep behaviors
Some people may do unusual things in their sleep after taking this medicine. For example, they may sleepwalk, cook, eat, or talk on the phone. The worst part is that they may not remember anything the next day. If you find out that this has happened to you, stop taking the medicine immediately and talk to your doctor.
Mental changes
If you or your family notice a change in your behavior, for example, feeling more depressed than usual, feeling like you might harm yourself, feeling more anxious, feeling unusually agitated, or experiencing memory loss, call your doctor immediately.
Side effects of the medicine
Like any medicine, temazepam can cause side effects. Some are dangerous, while others are common.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Central nervous system depression (CNS Depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, excessive sleepiness, confusion. |
| Changes in mood and behavior | Anxiety, agitation, hallucinations, anger, suicidal thoughts, increased depression. |
| Unusual sleep behaviors | Sleepwalking, eating, driving, etc., and losing memory the next day. |
| If the side effects persist, you should tell your doctor. | |
| Dizziness | Something that can usually happen. |
| Feeling sleepy the next day | This is common if you don't get enough sleep. |
| Headache | It can appear and disappear in small amounts. |
| Nausea | Feeling of stomach discomfort. |
How should you store your medicine?
- Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets .
- This can be addictive, so keep it locked up in a safe place where thieves can't get it.
- Store the bottle tightly closed in an airtight container at room temperature (below 30 degrees Celsius), away from light.
- If you have unused, expired pills, crush them, mix them with coffee grounds or used tea leaves, put them in a sealable bag or can, and throw them in the trash. Never flush them down the toilet.
Take-Home Message
- Temazepam is a short-term medication prescribed by a doctor for insomnia.
- You should only take this at night before going to bed. Take the dosage that the doctor prescribed.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine. It is very dangerous.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe side effects such as unusual changes in your behavior, excessive sleepiness, or difficulty breathing.
- This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone. Keep it safe and out of the reach of children.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න