What is temazepam?

Temazepam is a sedative medicine (a medicine that helps you feel calmer or more relaxed). It belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines, which are commonly used to treat sleep problems.

Your doctor may prescribe temazepam for short-term use (up to 2 weeks) to treat insomnia or other temporary sleep issues.

How does temazepam work?

Temazepam affects chemicals in your central nervous system and brain. This can slow your brain's activity, and help you sleep. Temazepam helps you to fall asleep more quickly and sleep for longer.

What is temazepam used for?

Temazepam should only be used for a short period of time (2 weeks or less). It is prescribed to help with sleep problems such as insomnia or jet lag. It may also be prescribed to help with severe insomnia as a symptom of cannabis or opioid withdrawal.

Temazepam doesn't address the cause of your sleeping problems and is not a cure.

Temazepam may also be prescribed to help with anxiety around dental treatments.

Your doctor might also prescribe temazepam for another reason. Ask your doctor if you are not sure why you have been prescribed temazepam.

What forms of temazepam are available?

Temazepam is the name of the active ingredient and is available in different:

• brands
• appearances (size, shape or colour)
• packaging
• doses or strengths

It is generally available as a tablet. No matter which brand you are prescribed, temazepam works in the same way to treat sleep problems.

In Australia, you need a doctor's prescription to buy temazepam.

What are the possible side effects or risks of temazepam?

All medicines have benefits but also carry the risk of side effects. Temazepam helps most people who take it for sleeping problems, but some people also experience side effects.

The most common side effects include:

• drowsiness
• headaches
• muscle weakness and clumsiness
• unsteadiness
• dry mouth

It can also make you forgetful and dizzy.

Even if you take temazepam at night, you might still feel drowsy the next day. If you still feel the effects in the morning after taking temazepam, you should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery.

There are other side effects. Tell your doctor if you experience any of these, since you might need immediate medical treatment:

• hallucinations (hearing, seeing or smelling things that aren't there) or confusion
• difficulties breathing
• skin rash, itching or hives
• swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, or difficulty swallowing
• fainting

Temazepam use can lead to dependence and addiction. If you or someone you know is taking temazepam for longer than 2 weeks, seek medical advice. The longer it is used, the more difficult it will be to stop taking the medicine.

This is not a full list of side effects. For more information about the risks or side effects of temazepam, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) leaflet about temazepam.

How do I take temazepam?

Take temazepam as prescribed by your doctor.

You should take temazepam with water. It does not matter if you take it with food or not.

Try to take temazepam at the same time each day. If you forget to take it before bedtime and wake up during the night, do not take temazepam, as you may have trouble waking up in the morning.

What should I be careful of when taking temazepam?

Temazepam can make you drowsy and slow your reaction times. Because of this, it's important that you don't drive or operate heavy machinery when you take this medicine.

You should also avoid drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs when taking temazepam. It can make you more sensitive to the effects of these substances.

You should only take temazepam for short periods of time, up to 2 weeks, or as advised by your doctor. If used over a long period, you can become dependent on temazepam and experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping. Do not take more temazepam than your doctor has prescribed. Do not share your medicines with anyone else.

Ask your doctor how long you should take temazepam. If you are thinking of stopping or changing your dose, speak with your doctor. Suddenly stopping the medicine can cause side effects.

When should I see my doctor?

Speak to your doctor if you:

• experience side effects that trouble you
• feel that temazepam is not helping your condition
• have signs of an allergic reaction
• have a health condition or are taking medicines that may affect how your body reacts to temazepam
• become pregnant, are planning a pregnancy or start breastfeeding

See the Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) leaflet found in your packet of temazepam for full details about when to speak with your doctor before or after you have started taking temazepam.

Temazepam and other sleeping pills may help you fall asleep, but they do not address the cause of your sleeping problems. For most people, it is better to develop healthy sleep habits, and stick to them, than to use medicine in the long term.

Resources and support

Asking about your treatment or medicines helps you understand your options. Read our guide to questions to ask your pharmacist or doctor before taking a medicine.

You can also visit healthdirect's list of medicines that contain temazepam to read the CMI for the brand of temazepam prescribed.

If you are worried about temazepam dependence, you can contact the Alcohol Drug Information Service (ADIS).

Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?

You can find translated information about medicines on the NPS MedicineWise website.

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation website has resources on medicines, side effects and more.