Home Drug Guide Temazepam

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Temazepam

Brand Names Restoril, Temaz

Classification

Therapeutic: Anxiolytic, Sedative-hypnotic

Pharmacological: Benzodiazepine

FDA Approved Indications

  • Insomnia, short-term treatment

Mechanism of Action

Enhances the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at the GABA-A receptor, producing sedative, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant properties.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically 15-30 mg orally at bedtime, adjustable based on response and tolerability.

Pediatric: Not recommended for pediatric use.

Geriatric: Start at lower doses (e.g., 7.5 mg) due to increased sensitivity and risk of adverse effects.

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; dose adjustments may be necessary.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; dose reduction may be necessary.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed orally.

Distribution: Widely distributed; crosses the blood-brain barrier.

Metabolism: Hepatically metabolized via oxidation.

Excretion: Renally excreted primarily as metabolites.

Half Life: Approximately 8-20 hours, extended in elderly patients.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to temazepam or other benzodiazepines.
  • Acute narrow-angle glaucoma.

Precautions

  • History of substance abuse.
  • Pregnancy and lactation.
  • Use with caution in elderly and debilitated patients.
  • Respiratory impairment.
  • Hepatic impairment.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Drowsiness (Common)
  • Dizziness (Common)
  • Dizziness (Common)
  • Fatigue (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Respiratory depression (Rare)
  • Dependence and withdrawal symptoms (Rare)
  • Amnesia and complex sleep behaviors (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Other CNS depressants, sedatives, alcohol, opioids

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for sedation, cognitive impairment, signs of dependence.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for injury due to sedation
  • Risk for dependence

Implementation: Administer dose at bedtime, evaluate effectiveness.

Evaluation: Assess sleep quality, evaluate for adverse effects or signs of dependency.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Advise against alcohol and other CNS depressants.
  • Warn about drowsiness, coordination impairment.
  • Do not operate machinery until effects are known.
  • Use short-term only as prescribed.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Concurrent use with opioids can result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.
  • Risk of dependence, abuse, and withdrawal reactions.

Genetic Factors: Pharmacogenetic variations may affect metabolism and response.

Lab Test Interference: None specific.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Extreme sedation, confusion, respiratory depression, coma.

Treatment: Supportive care, maintaining airway, monitoring vital signs, activated charcoal if recent ingestion, possibly flumazenil as an antagonist in certain cases.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture, light, and children.

Stability: Stable according to manufacturer instructions.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.