What is Temazepam?
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At Help4Addiction, we have spent years helping people overcome their addictions, including addiction to prescription drugs.
On this page, we are going to be discussing the prescription drug temazepam. Read on for the ins and outs of temazepam – including what it’s used for, potential drug interactions to be aware of, as well as temazepam side effects.
We’ll also be exploring temazepam addiction, and how our friendly team of addiction experts at Help4Addiction can help you or a loved one overcome temazepam addiction.
Temazepam: The Basics
Temazepam is a prescription drug that falls under the benzodiazepine drug category. You may be prescribed temazepam in the form of temazepam capsules/ tablets or temazepam in liquid form.
Because temazepam is a prescription-only drug, you must be prescribed temazepam by a healthcare professional in order to take it.
It is a Class C drug in the UK, among other benzodiazepines such as diazepam or flunitrazepam. This means that possession without a prescription is illegal, and could lead to imprisonment and a fine.
The drug temazepam can be sold under different names depending on the drug manufacturers – for example, in the UK, it is sold under the brand name Restoril. It works by releasing a neurotransmitter in the brain called GABA – Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid.
This has a sedative effect/ nerve-calming effect on your central nervous system, slowing down activity in certain areas of your brain.
Ultimately, temazepam can calm you down and make you feel more relaxed, and reduce feelings of anxiety. Your prescribed dose may vary depending on a range of factors – however, elderly patients often take a 7.5 mg dose.
Adults may be given a 22.5 mg capsule or a 30 mg dose or even 40 mg – your doctor may adjust the dodge when needed.
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What is Temazepam Used For?
Temazepam is most commonly used to treat temazepam, although it may also be prescribed for other conditions such as panic disorder or severe anxiety. In some cases, medical professionals may administer temazepam as a pre-med, before dental treatment or a medical operation.
A study that explored the hypnotic efficacy of temazepam (30 mg) in patients with sleep-onset insomnia found that temazepam improved the sleep of the patients, and reduced sleep latency in comparison to the placebo.
Temazepam appears to be an effective treatment for people with sleep problems including trouble sleeping and can help people fall asleep more quickly.
Temazepam Drug Interactions and Side Effects
Like many prescription drugs, temazepam can have many drug interactions and adverse effects. For example, you could have a mild or severe allergic reaction.
Allergic reactions can be fatal, so call emergency services or a doctor immediately if you are having trouble breathing or displaying other signs of an allergic reaction.
Some common side effects of temazepam that occur in more than 1 in 100 people include disturbed sleep, severe drowsiness, lightheadedness, dry mouth, or feeling ‘hungover’ the next day.
If you miss a dose of temazepam, don’t take a double dose – instead, skip the missed dose and return to your dosing schedule. However, many people don’t take it on a schedule, and only take it when they cannot sleep.
Mixing temazepam with certain drugs can have unpleasant reactions. You should not mix temazepam with opioid medications such as hydrocodone, codeine, morphine or fentanyl. This can lead to serious and even fatal side effects such as trouble breathing or coma.
Who Shouldn’t Take Temazepam?
There are several groups that should avoid temazepam, or that doctors will avoid prescribing temazepam to. Avoid taking temazepam if you:
- Are currently taking opioid medications
- Drink alcohol frequently
- Are under the age of 18
- Are pregnant or currently breastfeeding
- Have a history of substance use disorder (e.g drug addiction/ alcohol addiction)
- Have had an allergic reaction to temazepam before
- Have severe liver or lung issues
- Have acute narrow-angle glaucoma
- Have sleep apnea
- Have myasthenia
- Have mental health issues such as OCD, depression, or suicidal thoughts
It’s important that you speak with your doctor if you are currently taking other drugs/ other medications to ensure there are no unpleasant drug interactions.
Temazepam Overdose
If you abuse temazepam or accidentally take a higher dose than usual, you will be at an increased risk of having an overdose.
A temazepam overdose can be fatal. Some signs that you or a loved one is having a temazepam overdose include drowsiness, lack of muscle control, trouble speaking, respiratory depression, and coma.
If you think you or a loved one is having an overdose, seek medical attention from a healthcare professional immediately – call 999 for an ambulance or get to a hospital as soon as possible.
Can You Drink Alcohol On Temazepam?
Alcohol is consumed by over billions of people around the world – and more than half of the population in Europe, the Americas and the Western Pacific. Alcohol abuse and excessive alcohol consumption are linked to a range of health issues – and mixing alcohol with certain prescription medications can be dangerous.
Mixing your prescription with alcohol to feel ‘high’ or to enhance the effects counts as both alcohol abuse and drug abuse. Combining alcohol with sedatives can make you feel relaxed or euphoric – however, this can be very dangerous and can have many unpleasant side effects.
Alcohol and temazepam both affect GABA, and both are central nervous system depressants. When you take substances that have similar effects on your brain and body, it enhances the effects – including the side effects.
This may include drowsiness, memory impairment, short-term memory loss, and more. Taking temazepam with alcohol can leave you feeling extremely intoxicated, and can increase the risk of having an overdose.
Is Temazepam Addictive?
Yes, temazepam is an addictive drug. Benzodiazepines are considered highly addictive substances, and temazepam is no exception.
Because temazepam consumption comes with a high risk of addiction, it is not prescribed for more than four weeks at a time. Likewise, temazepam is often prescribed as a last resort; doctors are often reluctant to prescribe the drug due to the high risk of addiction.
Temazepam is considered a long-acting drug (six – 24 hours). Taking temazepam for long periods of time can lead to you developing a drug tolerance, which can then progress into a physical dependence on the drug.
This is why it’s only used on an average of 1-2 weeks, and often prescribed at the lowest dose (5 mg), progressing upwards.
If you have a dependence on temazepam or you are struggling to stop taking the drug, read on to explore the signs of temazepam addiction, and learn more about how we can help you live a sober life.
Signs of Temazepam Addiction
Addiction can affect all areas of your life – it can impact your finances, relationships, and of course, your physical and mental health. It’s important to understand the signs of addiction so that you can take the first steps toward recovery.
One of the main signs of temazepam addiction is the lack of control over taking it – if you are taking a higher dose than prescribed, or feel as though you can’t function without it, then you likely have an addiction.
Likewise, if you experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it suddenly, or when you drastically lower your usual dose, this is a sign of physical dependence on the drug.
Somebody who is addicted to temazepam may also exhibit behavioural signs – for example, stealing other people’s medication, sourcing it through illicit means such as drug dealers, or hiding their drug use from others.
Temazepam Withdrawal Symptoms
If you have a physical dependence on temazepam and you suddenly stop taking it, you should expect to experience withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal reactions can vary from person to person, ranging from mild withdrawal symptoms to severe withdrawal symptoms.
Several factors can impact the severity of the withdrawal process – however, the general rule of thumb is that the more severe the addiction, the more severe the withdrawal symptoms will be. Some temazepam withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Increased anxiety and insomnia
- Headaches and confusion
- Vomiting
- Tremors
- Sweating
- Muscle and stomach pain
- Weakness and lack of physical control (sensory disturbances)
- Seizures
- Shakiness and dizziness
- Hyperthermia
Help for Temazepam Addiction
Overcoming temazepam addiction can be difficult, especially as withdrawal symptoms can be particularly severe. This is why we never recommend that you quit temazepam cold turkey without support.
Temazepam treatment in rehab begins with detoxification. Often, a medical detox (medically-assisted detox) will be required – and detox medication may be administered to ease the process.
Therapy may also be required to address the social and psychological aspects of addiction, and to overcome some of the persisting, psychological symptoms of withdrawal. Some therapies you may be offered in rehab include CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), group therapy, counselling, and more. Therapeutic treatments can also help to prevent and manage potential relapses.
At Help4Addiction, we can source the best benzodiazepine detox or benzodiazepine rehab for you in your local area. Whether you’re looking for affordable rehab or luxury rehab, we can help. Chat with us to discuss your needs, preferences, and your story – or to simply enquire about the rehab process.
About Author
Nicholas Conn
Nicholas Conn is a leading industry addiction expert who runs the UK’s largest addiction advisory service and is regularly featured in the national press, radio and TV. He is the founder and CEO of a drug and alcohol rehab center called Help4addiction, which was founded in 2015. He has been clean himself since 2009 and has worked in the Addiction and Rehab Industry for over a decade. Nick is dedicated to helping others recover and get treatment for drug and alcohol abuse. In 2013, he released a book ‘The Thin White’ line that is available on Amazon.
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