Patient Handouts
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Flurazepam
(flure az' e pam)
Why is this medication prescribed?
Flurazepam is used to treat insomnia (difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep). Flurazepam is in a class of medications called
benzodiazepines. It works by slowing activity in the brain to allow sleep.
How should this medicine be used?
Flurazepam comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken as needed at bedtime. Follow the directions on your prescription label
carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take flurazepam exactly as directed.
Flurazepam starts working slowly and continues to work for a short time after you stop taking it. You may experience more benefit from
flurazepam on the second and third nights after you start taking it. You may continue to feel the effects of flurazepam for one to two nights
after you stop taking the medication.
Your sleep problems should improve within 7 to 10 days after you start taking flurazepam. Call your doctor if your sleep problems do not
improve during this time, if they get worse at any time during your treatment, or if you notice any changes in your thoughts or behavior.
Flurazepam can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or take it for a longer time than prescribed by your doctor.
If your doctor has told you to take flurazepam regularly, talk to your doctor before you stop taking this medication. Your doctor will probably
decrease your dose gradually. If you suddenly stop taking flurazepam, especially after taking it regularly, you may develop withdrawal
symptoms such as sadness, difficulty sleeping, seizures, uncontrollable shaking of a part of your body, stomach and muscle cramps,
vomiting, and sweating.
Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking flurazepam,
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tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to flurazepam, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in flurazepam
capsules. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal
products you are taking or plan to take during your treatment with flurazepam and for several days afterward. Be sure to mention
any of the following: antihistamines; cimetidine; clozapine;digoxin; medications for anxiety, depression, mental illness, or seizures;
muscle relaxants; sedatives; other sleeping pills; and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications
or monitor you carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol, use or have ever used street drugs, or have overused
prescription medications. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had depression; mental illness; sleep apnea (a sleep
disorder that causes breathing to stop for short periods during sleep); or lung, kidney, or liver disease.
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tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking
flurazepam, call your doctor immediately.
talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking flurazepam if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take
flurazepam because it is not as safe as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.
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if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking flurazepam.
you should know that this medication may make you drowsy and may increase the risk that you could fall. Take extra care to be
sure you do not fall, especially if you get out of bed in the middle of the night. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you
know how this medication affects you.
do not drink alcohol while you are taking flurazepam and for several days after you stop taking the medication. Alcohol can make
the side effects of flurazepam worse.
tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this medication.
you should know that some people who took medications for sleep got out of bed and drove their cars, prepared and ate food, had
sex, made phone calls, or were involved in other activities while partially asleep. After they woke up, these people were usually
unable to remember what they had done. Call your doctor right away if you find out that you have been driving or doing anything
else while you were sleeping.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Flurazepam should only be taken at bedtime. If you forget to take flurazepam at bedtime, you are unable to fall asleep, and you will still be
able to stay in bed for a full night's sleep, you may take flurazepam at that time. Do not take a double dose of flurazepam to make up for a
missed dose.
Patient Handouts
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What side effects can this medication cause?
Flurazepam may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
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drowsiness
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dizziness or lightheadedness
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loss of coordination
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headache
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heartburn
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nausea
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vomiting
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stomach pain
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diarrhea
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constipation
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nervousness
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irritability
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talking more than usual
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weakness
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joint pain
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following side effects, call your doctor immediately:
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rash
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hives
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swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, or eyes
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hoarseness
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difficulty breathing or swallowing
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pounding heartbeat
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chest pain
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coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch
Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from
excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist
about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local
emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include the following:
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drowsiness
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confusion
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coma
Patient Handouts
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What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Flurazepam is a controlled substance. Prescriptions may be refilled only a limited number of
times; ask your pharmacist if you have any questions.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well
as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if
you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Brand names
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Dalmane®¶