Flurazepam

Flurazepam is a prescription medication used to treat insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep).

Flurazepam belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. These work by slowing activity in the brain to allow sleep.

This medication comes in capsule form and is usually taken as needed at bedtime.

Common side effects of flurazepam include loss of coordination, headache, heartburn, upset stomach, nervousness, irritability, and joint pain.

Flurazepam can also cause blurred vision, drowsiness, and dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how flurazepam affects you.

Flurazepam is a prescription medication used to treat insomnia. Insomnia is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and/or early morning awakenings.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Flurazepam may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Dalmane

Serious side effects have been reported with flurazepam. See the "Flurazepam Precautions" section.

Common side effects of flurazepam include the following:

• light-headedness
• staggering (walking unsteadily)
• falls
• ataxia (problems with coordination of muscles)
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• headache
• heartburn
• upset stomach
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea or constipation
• nervousness
• weakness
• "hangover" feeling the day after taking flurazepam

You may still feel drowsy the next day after taking flurazepam. Do not drive or do other dangerous activities after taking flurazepam until you feel fully awake.

This is not a complete list of flurazepam side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• clozapine (Clozaril, FazaClo)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• medications for anxiety, depression, mental illness, or seizures
• muscle relaxants
• sedatives, tranquilizers, or other sleeping pills

This is not a complete list of flurazepam drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with flurazepam including the following:

• over-sedation
• rash
• hives
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, or eyes
• hoarseness
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• pounding heartbeat
• chest pain
• coma

Flurazepam can also cause blurred vision, drowsiness, and dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how flurazepam affects you.

Do not take flurazepam if you:

• are allergic to flurazepam or to any of its ingredients
• are pregnant

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of flurazepam, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking flurazepam, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to flurazepam or to any of its ingredients
• have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol
• have ever used street drugs or have overused prescription drugs
• have or have had depression or mental illness
• have sleep apnea
• have lung disease
• have kidney disease
• have liver disease

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Benzodiazepines may cause fetal damage when administered during pregnancy. Therefore, flurazepam should not be used during pregnancy. Women should be warned of the potential risks to the fetus if they become pregnant while taking flurazepam.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if flurazepam crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using flurazepam.

Take flurazepam exactly as prescribed.

This medication comes in capsule form and is usually taken as needed at bedtime.

If you miss a dose at bedtime, are unable to fall asleep, and will be able to stay in bed for a full night’s sleep, take the missed dose at that time. Do not take two doses of flurazepam at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• how you respond to this medication
• your age

The usual adult dose of flurazepam for the treatment of insomnia is 30 mg before bedtime. In elderly patients, 15 mg is usually sufficient to achieve therapeutic response.

If you take too much flurazepam, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If flurazepam is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

• Store flurazepam at room temperature.
• Protect from light and moisture.
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Withdrawal symptoms may occur with the discontinuation of flurazepam; patients should not stop taking this medication abruptly or without talking to their doctor.