Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. 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, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is the next morning, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing 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 dispose of medications in wastewater e. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired. 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.

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. 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.

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:. 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. Health Canada has issued new restrictions concerning the use of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-like prescription drugs. Addiction potential: Temazepam can become habit-forming. It's not suitable for everyone. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before starting temazepam if you: have had an allergic reaction to temazepam or any other medicine in the past have myasthenia gravis , a condition that causes muscle weakness have sleep apnoea , a condition that causes breathing problems when you're asleep have severe lung or liver problems have a mental health problem, such as depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, personality disorder or thoughts of suicide have acute narrow angle glaucoma, a condition that affects the eye are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or breastfeeding.

You'll usually take it once a day, half an hour before bedtime. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give you the right amount. If you do not have a syringe or spoon, ask your pharmacist for one.

How much will I take? In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a higher dose of 30 to 40mg. How long will I take it for? You'll usually take temazepam for no longer than 4 weeks. What if I forget to take it?

If you forget to take it by bedtime, just start again the next night. What if I take too much? Common side effects These common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away: disturbed sleep such as vivid dreams feeling drowsy, tired, less alert or "hungover" the next day feeling lightheaded, unsteady or dizzy a dry mouth Serious side effects It happens rarely, but some people have serious side effects when taking temazepam.

Tell a doctor straight away if you get any of the following side effects: yellow skin, or the whites of your eyes turn yellow — this can be a sign of liver problems difficulty peeing or peeing less than usual an abnormal heartbeat palpitations changes in the way you feel or act, such as feeling numb or restless, agitated, aggressive or acting inappropriately you think things that are not true delusions or you see or hear things that are not there hallucinations poor co-ordination or weak muscles slurred speech memory loss or confusion Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, temazepam may cause a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis.

These are not all the side effects of temazepam. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet. Information: You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme. Do not try to drive or use machinery until you feel completely normal again.

If the symptoms do not disappear after a few days or get worse, consult your doctor. Do not drive or use machinery until you feel better. Using a mouthwash before bedtime may also help. Ask your pharmacist to recommend one that's good for a dry mouth , as some can make a dry mouth worse. Temazepam is not usually recommended during pregnancy. You may need to keep taking temazepam during pregnancy to remain well. Breastfeeding If you're having sleeping problems, talk to your doctor or pharmacist as there may be other ways of improving your sleep that do not involve taking temazepam.

Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. Before you start taking temazepam, tell your doctor if you're taking: antipsychotics, used to treat mental health problems antidepressants , used to treat depression anticonvulsants, used to treat epilepsy hypnotics, used to treat anxiety or sleep problems drowsy sedating antihistamines , such as chlorphenamine or promethazine strong painkillers, such as codeine , methadone, morphine , oxycodone, pethidine or tramadol medicine for fungal infections , such as fluconazole medicines that lower your blood pressure medicine to treat muscle spasms, such as baclofen or tizanidine disulfiram, used to treat alcohol addiction levodopa, used to treat Parkinson's disease lofexidine, used to treat drug addiction theophylline, used to treat asthma ritonavir, used to treat HIV.

How does temazepam work? Temazepam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. This can make you feel drowsy and sleepy. How long does it take to work? It normally takes around 30 minutes to work. How long will I take temazepam for?

Is temazepam addictive? Are there other medicines for sleeping problems? Like temazepam, these should only be used for short periods of time. Will it affect my contraception? Can I drink alcohol with it? Do not drink alcohol while you're on temazepam. Are there foods and drinks I should avoid? It's best to avoid caffeine, especially in the evening. Restoril and Ambien have a significant number of potential side effects. Headache, fatigue, and nervousness are possible with both drugs. Both drugs have the potential to leave patients with a hangover effect or drugged feeling, which can affect daily functioning.

It is important to plan to get a minimum of eight hours of sleep after taking these medications in order to help avoid this effect. Nightmares, vivid dreams, and abnormal dreams are possible with Restoril and Ambien. In some instances, there have been reports of binge eating, sexual activity, and other abnormal activities while patients are reportedly still asleep sleepwalking.

These potential adverse effects should be discussed with your doctor. This is not intended to list all potential effects of these medications.

Your doctor may discuss other possible adverse effects. Restoril and Ambien both have CNS depressant effects, and their concomitant use with other CNS depressants may lead to an additive effect, which could be dangerous. Most notably, use with opiate pain relievers can lead to severe respiratory depression and possibly even death. Common opiate pain relievers include codeine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone. Caffeine, especially if consumed in the time shortly before taking Restoril or Ambien, may counteract the desired effects of Restoril and Ambien.

Caffeine is pharmacologically opposite of Restoril and Ambien in that it stimulates the central nervous system. Commonly used antihistamines, such as Benadryl diphenhydramine , may also cause significant sleepiness and should not be given with Restoril and Ambien as the additive effect could be dangerous.

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of potential drug interactions. Please consult your pharmacist or healthcare professional for a complete list. The use of Restoril and Ambien with other CNS depressants, such as opioid pain relievers, may lead to profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and even death. The use of Restoril and Ambien together should be avoided for the same reason. It is important to note that if insomnia does not improve within seven to 10 days of taking medication, patients should be evaluated for underlying psychiatric disorders that may be contributing to sleep problems if untreated.

Restoril and Ambien should be avoided if a patient has consumed alcohol within a few hours of bed, or does so on a regular basis. The combination leads to psychomotor impairment that can last into the next day, and may impair driving and reflex times. Before taking Ambien or Restoril, please alert your doctor to any medical conditions or other medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications and other sleep medications.

Do not suddenly stop taking Restoril or Ambien without consulting your healthcare provider. You might experience withdrawal symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, and depression. Restoril is a prescription medication used in the treatment of short-term insomnia. It is classified as a benzodiazepine and is also considered a controlled substance by the DEA due to its potential for abuse. It is available as an oral capsule in strengths of 7.

Ambien is a prescription medication used to treat insomnia. It is a non-benzodiazepine sedative drug but is still considered a controlled substance by the DEA because of its potential for abuse.

It is available in immediate-release tablet form in 5 mg and 10 mg strengths. It is also available in extended-release tablet form Ambien CR in strengths of 6.