Highly addictive- don't take it if you can help it.
Temazepam
Systematic (IUPAC) name
7-Chloro-1,3-dihydro-
3-hydroxy-1-methyl-5-phenyl-
1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one
Identifiers
CAS number 846-50-4
ATC code N05CD07
PubChem 5391
DrugBank APRD00676
Chemical data
Formula C16H13N2ClO2
Mol. weight 300.7 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability 96%
Metabolism Hepatic
Half life 8-20 hours
Excretion Renal
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat. X(US)
Legal status Class C(UK) Schedule IV(US)
Routes Oral
Temazepam (marketed under brand names Restoril®, Normison®, Tenox® and Temaze®) is a powerful hypnotic drug, which is a benzodiazepine derivative. It possesses powerful anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, amnestic, sedative and skeletal muscle relaxant properties.
Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Pharmacology
3 Indications
3.1 Military Use
4 Dosage
5 Side effects
6 Interactions
7 Contraindications
7.1 Special caution needed
7.2 Patients at a high risk for abuse and dependence
8 Overdose
9 Legal Status
10 Trivia
11 External links
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History
Until recently temazepam was produced as a gel-filled capsule intended to be taken orally. However, it gained a certain notoriety in the United Kingdom, and especially Scotland, when it was discovered that if the capsules were melted and injected the effects were more potent and similar to alcohol. However, the liquid has a tendency to congeal in arteries and cause thrombosis and gangrene, in some cases requiring amputation.
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Pharmacology
The pharmacological action of temazepam is thought to be the result of its facilitating the action of gamma aminobutyric acid, an inhibitor neurotransmitter.
Temazepam is an active benzodiazepine with powerful hypnotic properties and is the most sedating of all benzodiazepines. In sleep laboratory studies, temazepam dramatically decreased the number of nightly awakenings. Rebound insomnia was not observed after withdrawal of the drug. Temazepam decreased stage 3, and combined stage 3 and 4 sleep, accompanied by a compensatory increase in stage 2 sleep, but did not alter REM sleep.
Orally administered temazepam is well absorbed in humans. Temazepam has a half-life of about 8 to 10 hours in plasma (with considerable inter-individual variability). On multiple dosing, steady state is reached usually within 3 to 5 days with excretion of the drug mainly in the urine in the form of the inactive O-conjugate metabolite.
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Indications
Temazepam is commonly prescribed for insomnia and other serious sleep disorders. Temazepam is considered to be one of the most addictive of the benzodiazepines and thus not suited for long-term treatment. Street terms include "rugby balls", "terms", "jellies", "mazzies", "beans" and "eggs".
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Military Use
The United States Air Force uses temazepam under trade name Restoril as "no-go pills" to help pilots sleep after a mission (Cf. "go-pills"; dextroamphetamine, or recently modafinil, used as a stimulant for pilots). Another drug used for the same purpose is zolpidem.
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Dosage
Temazepam is available in 7.5mg, 15mg, 22.5mg and 30mg capsules.
It is available as 10 and 20mg tablets in the UK and Finland, but also in at least some countries in the rest of Europe.
In Australia it is only available in 10mg tablets. 20mg tablets and Temazepam in capsule or gelcap form is no longer available in this country.
When used for treatment of insomnia, the usual dose is 7.5mg to 15mg taken at bedtime but can be used at doses up to 60mg.
Usual UK doses (from BNF) are 10-20mg at bedtime, max 30-40mg in exceptional circumstances.
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Side effects
Common side effects include:
Somnolence
Impaired motor function
Impaired coordination
Impaired balance
Euphoria
Sluggishness
Anterograde amnesia
Confusion
Lack of concentration
Rare side effects include:
Neurological - Agitation, anxiety, headache, depression, hallucinations, hangover, increased dreaming, lack of coordination, loss of equilibrium, nightmares, restlessness, vertigo
Cardiovascular - Cardiac arrhythmia
Respiratory - Difficult or labored breathing, hypoventilation
Gastrointestinal - Abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, vomiting
Ocular - Blurred vision, burning sensation in eyes, nystagmus
Other - Abnormal sweating, backache, dry mouth, muscular weakness
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.
Long-term use of temazepam can result in psychological and physical dependence and the appearance of withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued. Temazepam impairs cognitive and psychomotor functions, affecting reaction time and driving skill. The use of this drug in combination with alcohol potentiates these side effects, and can lead to toxicity and death.
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Interactions
See Diazepam#Interactions.
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Contraindications
Use of temazepam should be avoided, when possible, in individuals with the following conditions:
Ataxia
Severe hypoventilation
Acute narrow-angle glaucoma
Severe hepatic deficiencies (hepatitis and liver cirrhosis decrease elimination by a factor of 2)
Severe renal deficiencies (e.g. patients on dialysis)
Severe sleep apnea
Severe depression, particularly when accompanied by suicidal tendencies
Acute intoxication with alcohol, narcotics, or other psychoactive substances
Myasthenia gravis
Hypersensitivity or allergy to any drug in the benzodiazepine class
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Special caution needed
Pregnant Women - temazepam may cause fetal damage when administered during pregnancy.
Pediatric patients
Less than 18 years of age - Safety and effectiveness have not been established and temazepam should generally not be given to individuals under 18 years of age
Under 6 months of age - Safety and effectiveness have not been established; temazepam should not be given to individuals in this age group.
Elderly and very ill patients - Possibility that apnea and/or cardiac arrest may occur. Concomitant use of other central nervous system depressants increases this risk. The smallest possible effective dose should be used for this group of patients.
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Patients at a high risk for abuse and dependence
Temazepam can lead to physiological tolerance, and psychological and/or physical dependence. At a particularly high risk for temazepam misuse, abuse, and dependence are:
Patients with a history of alcohol or drug abuse or dependence
Emotionally unstable patients
Patients with severe personality disorders, such as Borderline Personality Disorder
Patients with chronic pain or other physical disorders
Patients from the aforementioned groups should be monitored very closely during therapy for signs of abuse and development of dependence. Discontinue therapy if any of these signs are noted. Long-term therapy in these patients is not recommended.
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Overdose
Manifestations of acute overdosage of temazepam can be expected to reflect the increasing CNS effects of the drug and include:
Somnolence (difficulty staying awake)
Mental confusion
Respiratory depression
Hypotension
Impaired motor functions
Impaired or absent reflexes
Impaired coordination
Impaired balance
Dizziness
Coma
Temazepam overdose is considered a serious medical emergency and generally requires the immediate attention of medical personnel. The antidote for an overdose of temazepam (or any other benzodiazepine) is flumazenil (Anexate®).
If the patient is conscious, vomiting should be induced mechanically or with emetics (e.g., syrup of ipecac 20 to 30 mL). Gastric lavage should be employed as soon as possible, utilizing concurrently a cuffed endotracheal tube if the patient is unconscious, in order to prevent aspiration and pulmonary complications. Maintenance of adequate pulmonary ventilation is essential and fluids should be administered IV to encourage diuresis. The use of pressor agents IV, may be necessary to combat hypotension but only if considered essential. The value of dialysis in emergency therapy for benzodiazepine overdosage has not been determined. If excitation occurs, barbiturates should not be used. It should be borne in mind that multiple agents may have been ingested.
The oral LD50 of temazepam was 1963 mg/kg in mice, 1833 mg/kg in rats, and >2400 mg/kg in rabbits.
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Legal Status
Temazepam is a Class C drug in the United Kingdom and possession is illegal without a prescription. Additionally, all manufacturers in the UK have replaced the gel-capsules with solid tablets.
In the US, temazepam is a Schedule IV drug and is only available by prescription. Certain states require specially coded prescriptions for this medication.
Internationally, temazepam is a Schedule IV drug under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances[1].
In Canada Temazepam can be issued as a standard prescription by any family doctor who sees a need for it.
In Australia Temazepam is Schedule 4 requiring a doctors prescription no repeats are allowed. All Schedule 4 drugs can only be obtained from a pharmacy in the same state or territory in which the prescription was issued.
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Trivia
The recreational effects of the drug were documented in the Black Grape album, It's Great When You're Straight... Yeah. The track 'Tramazi Parti' contains the lyric: I got my boots on the back of my head / It's full of jellies in the good old bed / And no one knows what no one said. Although there is no medical research confirming this behaviour, it is not inconsistent with the known side effects of the drug.
2006-09-27 12:16:24
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answer #1
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answered by Schmeep 4
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You should NOT be taking any drugs especially those that change the chemical make-up of your brain without medical advice!!!!! If you think you are suffering depression you should seek medical advice and be properly prescribed medication by a licensed practitioner of medicine. Many anti-depression drugs can have serious side effects and as they effect the chemical makeup of your brain they should not be taken randomly, you dont know what is wrong with you and you dont know which drugs will work best, nor what may actually make your condition worse! There are many many drugs that are prescribed for anti depression and not all are suitable for all patients, please seek medical advice if you feel you need drugs so you may be properly diagnosed and treated before you do yourself some serious harm. As suggested by many other people, while you are awaiting medical assistance try some of the many herbal or natropathic/homeopathic options that are available, they were of much assistance to me and one of the best was St John's Wort. However as with many herbal remedies it too has side effects and must be taken according to instructions. Meditation, light therapy, exposure to nature, etc are all valid and useful options in combating depression, look into these options first then if you still feel you require medication seek medical advice. In the long run they were the most useful to me.
2016-03-18 02:04:55
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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I have been suffering from post partum depression for the past one year when I gave birth to a baby boy. I couldn't stop thinking about how my husband loves him more than me and how things might be better if he wasn't born at all. Thus, I stayed away from him because I knew that I might do something I will regret for the rest of my life.
Almost instantly I went to a therapist and convince them that I need help. Among other things, I've tried herbal supplements and other book to treat depression but nothing works like the Depression Free Method. So now I'm proud to say I'm one of the happiest mother in the world. My husband loves us both very much and I thank the Lord for the blessing he gave us.
Depression Free Method?
2016-05-16 19:37:10
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answer #3
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answered by ? 4
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I think you meam 'Temezepam' It is NOT an Anti-depressant, This drug should be take for a Maximum for two weeks, It helps minor 'Sleep disorders' More than that and it can cause a psychological addiction.
2006-09-27 13:44:58
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answer #4
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answered by Doctor P 1
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Carefull, it's a controlled drug and addictive. I cant remember what it's for exactly but managed to get one from local hospital when I had a quinsy and could'nt sleep through the pain! Even then I was told only half that night and half the next night. They made me feel really bad for asking for help after waiting from 10pm to 2.30 am just to see someone!
2006-09-27 12:17:10
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answer #5
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answered by mistickle17 5
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used to be good fun, went by the nickname rugby balls, 60 mg of that and a couple of drinks and you were a mess only tried it a couple of times but knew quite a few people addicted to them. Dont take them for that
2006-09-27 12:21:35
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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its basicaly a mucle relaxant drug used for depression , stress . and insomnia it is used in hospital some times as a pre op med also
2006-09-27 12:21:03
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answer #7
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answered by a1ways_de1_lorri_2004 4
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Stick the name in Google and search all these drugs have details on the manufactures web sites and other web sites
2006-09-27 12:13:44
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answer #8
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answered by Maid Angela 7
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temazepam.......check it through this spelling....it is a benzodiazepine,, similar to valiium, ativan, serax etc. It can be highly addictive....ask your dr. and pharmacist. be cautious, there are other drugs which may be better......
2006-09-27 12:30:54
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answer #9
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answered by mknightm@sbcglobal.net 1
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Amonkey in zimba
2006-09-27 12:12:34
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answer #10
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answered by pirateron 5
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googled it- cant find any drug with that spelling
2006-09-27 12:13:09
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answer #11
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answered by Mopar Muscle Gal 7
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