This page is medically reviewed by Dr Robert Lefever, a world-leading addictions specialist.
Temazepam is one of the benzodiazepine medications used for insomnia. It is considered a last resort medication by many doctors because it exposes patients to the risk of addiction, abuse or misuse. Temazepam is sold under the brand name Restoril in the UK.
Warning: Consuming temazepam with opioids, alcohol, or other illicit substances can be fatal, as it can cause extreme sedation, hypoventilation and coma. Prolonged consumption of this medication for more than four weeks can cause severe dependence and increased risk during withdrawal. Restoril abuse can be life-threatening and should be taken care of by medical professionals and addiction experts.
If you think you have an addiction or dependency with temazepam, you should immediately contact a health professional or addiction expert. Our doors are always open for those seeking help. Please feel free to contact us.
What is Temazepam (Restoril)
Temazepam is a short-term medication used for insomnia, panic disorder, or severe anxiety. It is also used as a pre-med before a medical operation or dental treatment.
Temazepam works by releasing a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Due to the high risk of addiction, it is not prescribed for more than four weeks. It is generally used before bedtime, one tablet a day (10-20 mg), and only two or three nights a week.
Temazepam is sold under the brand name Restoril and falls under the Benzodiazepine drug category. This medication is used orally, usually in the form of tablets and sometimes liquid.
What are the side effects of Temazepam?
Some of the common side effects of Temazepam are as follows:
- Confusion
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Sleepiness or extreme drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Difficulty in sleep
There are also some severe and rare side effects like:
- Respiratory depression (hypoventilation)
- Sedation, Hallucination, delusions, memory loss, or confusion
- Yellow eyes or skin (can be caused by liver problem)
- Slurred speech
- Agitation, restlessness, or aggressive behaviour
- Weak muscles and poor coordination
- Pain/difficulty while peeing
- Depression and anxiety
- Palpitation (irregular heartbeat)
- Abnormality in thoughts and actions
- Allergic reaction (although rare; the severe allergic reaction can cause swelling of the throat or tongue resulting in difficulty in breathing)
Note: If you’re feeling any of these symptoms after taking Temazepam, do not operate heavy machinery or drive a vehicle. If these symptoms persist, contact medical professionals.
Using temazepam while consuming other medication or alcohol can cause different side effects and complications. If you’re using any kind of drugs or have a medical condition, make sure to inform your doctor.
Who shouldn’t take temazepam?
You shouldn’t use temazepam if you are:
- Using opioid medication
- Using alcohol
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Below the age of 18
- Addicted to alcohol/drugs or have a history of dependencies.
Furthermore, avoid temazepam if you have:
- An allergic reaction to temazepam or any other medication previously
- Sleep apnea (breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep)
- Myasthenia gravis (a condition that causes muscle weakness)
- Mental health issues (depression, OCD, suicidal, personality disorder)
- A severe problem with the lungs or liver
- Acute narrow-angle glaucoma (a rare form of glaucoma)
How to manage side effects of Temazepam?
It is highly recommended that you consult with your doctor for managing these side effects. Some of the solutions for the side-effects mentioned above are:
- Drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, or hangover:
Contact your doctor; you’re likely to be suggested a lower dosage. And do not drive or operate heavy machinery. Take plenty of rest.
- Sleep apnea (Disturbed sleep):
Sometimes, this medication can hamper sleep quality. You might see vivid dreams or difficulty in staying asleep. It is suggested that you contact your doctor.
- Lightheaded, lack of balance, or less alertness:
Try to sit down or have some rest until you feel normal again. If these effects do not disappear, then contact your doctor. Please do not drive or operate any machinery during these symptoms.
- Dry mouth
Stay adequately hydrated and keep water nearby. Using a mouthwash that helps with dry mouth can help prevent it.
Addiction/Dependence with temazepam (Restoril)
Temazepam is one of the most commonly prescribed medications under the Benzodiazepines category. The tolerance to this medication can grow in just three days and can further increase with time. The risk of addiction is low if you take a low dose for less than four weeks.
Benzodiazepines have a higher risk of rebound symptoms or withdrawals, making patients fearful of discontinuing these medications. Most of the patients try to quit but quickly relapse. To manage these withdrawals, you should seek the help of a medical professional or an addiction expert.
How addictive is Temazepam (Restoril)
Just like many addictive drugs, Temazepam releases a neurotransmitter in the brain called Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA). It has a sedative impact on the central nervous system and helps to slow down brain activity. It is used to calm the patient down with euphoric and relaxing feelings. If consumed more than the prescribed amount or duration, it can cause severe addiction. It is best to consult with your doctor for the correct dose and time of the prescription.
If you think you might have developed an addiction or dependence on temazepam, then you should contact a rehab centre or medical professional. We are here to help you. In addition, you can call or visit us if you need to manage addiction.
What are the signs of addiction to temazepam?
These are the symptoms of temazepam addiction are:
- Increased tolerance
- Inability to function normally without temazepam
- Experiencing wear off or withdrawal symptoms of it
- Intense craving and urges to take temazepam
- Using the medication longer than a doctor prescribed
- Using it with other substances or alcohol to increase the effects
Furthermore, signs that someone is abusing temazepam are:
- Doctor shopping (going to multiple doctors with the same problem to get more drugs)
- Stealing other’s medication
- Hiding the medication from loved ones
- Lacking sense of control without the medication (lack of full conscience)
Overdose risks
Temazepam is generally prescribed as 10-20 mg tablets. Depending on your physical/mental health, doctors may prescribe a different amount of this medication. For example, if you are elderly, have a risk of falling, or have any other medical condition, you might be prescribed a lower amount. The doctor may also prescribe a higher amount of 30-40 mg.
If you take too much temazepam, it can be fatal. Symptoms are extreme drowsiness, tiredness, confusion and sometimes coma. If you think you have consumed too much; and have trouble breathing, contact emergency services immediately.
What are the withdrawal symptoms?
Quitting cold turkey can be dangerous; if you have a severe dependency, various withdrawal symptoms can appear. Some of the symptoms can be fatal or have long-term damage.
Some of the withdrawal symptoms are:
- Increased anxiety and insomnia
- Headaches and confusion
- Vomiting
- Tremors
- Sweating
- Muscle and stomach pain
- Convulsions and tremors
- Weakness and lack of physical control (sensory disturbances)
- Seizures
- Shakiness and dizziness
- Hyperthermia
Treatment for Temazepam addiction/dependence.
Withdrawal from temazepam can be severe for some patients. Therefore, it is best to consult with a medical professional or addiction expert before quitting it. They will assess the risk and suggest a safe treatment plan tailored to you. After evaluating the risk, patients may advise you to stay under medical care. The complete rehab process includes medical detoxification followed by rehabilitation. There are plenty of therapeutic treatments along the way to help in managing the potential relapses.
The best way to treat temazepam addiction or dependence is to go through a good rehab centre. We at Help4addiction offer complete treatment for addiction from multiple types of substances and alcohol. If you think you have an addiction or physical dependence on temazepam, please feel free to contact us. We use evidence-based treatments to help our patients.
Medical Detox
For long-term recovery, complete detoxification is crucial. Under the supervision of medical professionals, the dosage of temazepam is gradually reduced. Patients will receive medical care and treatment around the clock. Multiple withdrawal symptoms can arise, and the body starts to rid itself of temazepam. Withdrawal can be painful, and doctors will help you along the way to minimise the pain and withdrawal symptoms.
Rehabilitation
After complete detoxification, rehabilitation starts. In this stage, the body is getting acclimated to sobriety. Patients will receive multiple therapies ranging from CBT, group therapies, individual counselling, etc. In addition, you will learn about tools and methods to minimise the risk of relapse, manage cravings and prepare for life-long sobriety.
There are two options for rehabilitation: Inpatient and Outpatient rehabilitation. You can choose to stay at the rehab centre till full recovery, or you may want to get back to your life with regular visits to the rehab. Depending on the severity, doctors may advise one over the other.
Conclusion
We at Help4addiction recognise that contemplating an addiction treatment can be challenging. You might be worried about the social and financial aspects of the treatment. We guarantee the total privacy of our patients and help them with many factors. Our prices are kept reasonable with plenty of support from well-renowned addiction experts and high-end facilities.
