Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Temazepam is a drug that is used for
treating anxiety. It is in the benzodiazepine class of drugs, the same family
that includes diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin),
flurazepam (Dalmane), lorazepam (Ativan), and others. Temazepam and other
benzodiazepines act by enhancing the effects of gamma- aminobutyric acid (GABA)
in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter (a chemical messenger that nerve cells
use to communicate with each other) that inhibits many of the activities of the
brain. It is believed that excessive activity in the brain may lead to anxiety
or other psychiatric disorders and that temazepam reduces the activity.
Temazepam increases total sleep time. The FDA approved temazepam in February
1981.
STORAGE: Capsules should be kept at room temperature, 20-25 C
(68-77F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Temazepam is used for the short-term (7-10 days)
management of insomnia. Insomnia is defined as difficulty falling asleep,
frequent awakening during the night after falling asleep, and/or early morning
awakening.
DOSING: The recommended dose of temazepam is 7.5 to 30 mg taken about
30 minutes prior to bedtime. For elderly patients, start with 7.5 mg until the
response is determined.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Alcohol or drugs that cause sleepiness increase the
effects of temazepam.
PREGNANCY: Temazepam and other benzodiazepines have been associated
with fetal damage, including congenital malformations, when taken by
pregnant
women in their first trimester. Temazepam should be avoided during pregnancy.
NURSING MOTHERS: Use by
nursing mothers has not been adequately studied.
SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects associated with temazepam
are excessive sleepiness, dizziness, weakness, and unsteadiness. Other side
effects include a feeling of depression, loss of orientation, headache, and
sleep disturbances. Like all benzodiazepines, temazepam can cause physical
dependence. Suddenly stopping temazepam after a few months of daily use may be
associated with a feeling of loss of self-worth, agitation, and insomnia. If
temazepam is taken continuously for longer than a few months, stopping treatment
suddenly may produce seizures, tremors, muscle cramping, vomiting, and/or
sweating. Therefore, discontinuation usually is accomplished by slowly reducing
the daily dose. There have been reports that people who have taken sedative
hypnotics sleep-driving or performing other complex tasks and have no memory of
the event. This may occur more often when temazepam is combined with alcohol or
other drugs that affect the nervous system. Rare cases of severe allergic
reactions involving swelling of the tongue and throat have been reported.
A number of vital tasks carried out during sleep help maintain good health and enable people to function at their best. Sleep needs vary from individual to individual and change throughout your life. Not getting enough sleep can hurt memory performance, health, and your mood.
Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of difficulty falling asleep; waking up frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep; waking up too early in the morning; or unrefreshing sleep. Secondary insomnia is the most common type of insomnia. Treatment for insomnia include lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication.
Insomnia is difficulty in falling or staying asleep, the absence of restful sleep, or poor quality of sleep. Insomnia is a symptom and not a disease. The most common causes of insomnia are medications, psychological conditions, environmental changes and stressful events. Treatments may include non-drug treatments, over-the-counter medicines, and/or prescription medications.
Insomnia is defined as difficulty initiating or maintaining
sleep, or both,
despite adequate opportunity and time to sleep, leading to impaired daytime
functioning. Insomnia may be due to poor quality or quantity of sleep.
Insomnia is very common and occurs in 30% to 50% of the general population.
Approximately 10% of the population may suffer from chronic (long-standing)
insomnia.
Insomnia affects people of all ages including children, although it is more
common in adults and its frequency increases with age. In general, women are
affected more frequently than men.
Insomnia may be divided into three classes based on the
duration of symptoms.
Insomnia lasting one week or less may be termed transient
insomnia;
short-term insomnia lasts more than one week but resolves in less
than three weeks; and
long-term or chronic insomnia lasts more than three we...
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