flurazepam
What is the most important information I should know about flurazepam?Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, walking, making phone calls, or having sex and later having no memory of the activity. What is flurazepam?Flurazepam is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peen) similar to Valium. Flurazepam affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with sleep problems (insomnia). Flurazepam is used to treat symptoms of insomnia, such as trouble falling or staying asleep. Flurazepam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking flurazepam?You should not use flurazepam if you are allergic to it, or if you are pregnant. To make sure flurazepam is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: - depression or mental illness;
- a history of drug or alcohol addiction;
- a history of suicidal thoughts or actions; or
- if you use a narcotic (opioid) medication.
Flurazepam may cause breathing problems, feeding problems, and low body temperature in a newborn. Your baby could also become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are taking flurazepam. It is not known whether flurazepam passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. The sedative effects of flurazepam may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are taking flurazepam. How should I take flurazepam?Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Flurazepam may be habit forming. Never share flurazepam with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Take flurazepam only if you are able to get a full night's sleep before you must be active again. Never take this medicine during your normal waking hours, unless you have at least 7 to 8 hours to dedicate to sleeping. Call your doctor if your insomnia does not improve after taking flurazepam for 7 to 10 nights, or if you have any mood or behavior changes. Insomnia can be a symptom of depression, mental illness, or certain medical conditions. Do not stop using flurazepam suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using flurazepam. Your insomnia symptoms may return when you stop using flurazepam after using it over a long period of time. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Flurazepam is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription. What happens if I miss a dose?Since flurazepam is taken as needed, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule. Take flurazepam only when you have time for several hours of sleep. What happens if I overdose?Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, weak or shallow breathing, fainting, or coma. What should I avoid while taking flurazepam?This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects can occur when alcohol is combined with flurazepam. What are the possible side effects of flurazepam?Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; nausea and vomiting; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have: - confusion, thinking problems, feeling nervous or anxious;
- unusual thoughts or behavior, decreased inhibitions;
- new or worsening depression; or
- hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real).
Some people using this medication have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity. If this happens to you, stop taking flurazepam and talk with your doctor. Common side effects may include: - dizziness, daytime drowsiness (or during hours when you are not normally sleeping);
- memory problems; or
- trouble standing or walking.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. What other drugs will affect flurazepam?Taking flurazepam with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before taking a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, prescription cough medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures. Other drugs may interact with flurazepam, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using. Where can I get more information?Your pharmacist can provide more information about flurazepam.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Copyright 1996-2017 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 8.04. Revision date: 9/28/2016.
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Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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