Drug Notes

Flurazepam (By mouth)

Flurazepam (flur-AZ-e-pam)

Treats insomnia (difficulty sleeping). Belongs to the group of drugs called benzodiazepines.

Brand Name(s):

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed. .
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

If a dose is missed:

• If you forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can for sleeping problems. You should not use two doses in the same evening. It may take a full hour (60 minutes) for the medicine to work for sleep.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, glaucoma, or lung disease.
• Older adults may be more sensitive to some of the side effects from this medicine.
• This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have itching, hives, trouble with breathing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth when you take this medicine.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. This medicine may also cause sleep-related behaviors, such as driving a car (sleep-driving), walking (sleep-walking), having sex, making phone calls, or preparing and eating food while you are asleep or not fully awake. If these behaviors occur, tell your doctor right away.
• This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working. If you continue to have problems with sleeping, check with your doctor.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Chest pain or trouble with breathing.
• Depression or severe confusion.
• Feeling anxious, nervous, or irritable.
• Severe drowsiness and weakness.
• Slow, fast, or pounding heartbeat.
• Unsteadiness, falling, or having a hard time standing up.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Blurred vision or headache.
• Drowsiness, dizziness, clumsiness, or trouble with concentrating.
• Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or stomach pain.
• Feeling "hungover" the next morning after bedtime use.
• Joint or body pain.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

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

Last Updated: 1/27/2017