What is Restoril: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Jan 13, 2021  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Restoril overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Restoril

Generic Names:

  • Temazepam

Uses:

  • Treats insomnia (trouble sleeping).

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antianxiety, Hypnotic

Forms:

  • Capsule, Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What form(s) does Restoril come in

  • Capsule

  • Tablet

What are common Restoril doses?

  • Capsule 7.5MG

  • Capsule 15MG

  • Capsule 22.5MG

  • Capsule 30MG

Common Restoril prescriptions

  • Restoril
    15mg capsule

  • Restoril
    22.5mg capsule

  • Restoril
    30mg capsule

  • Restoril
    7.5mg capsule

How to take Restoril

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Take this medicine just before bedtime or when you are having trouble falling asleep. You should not take this medicine if you do not have 7 to 8 hours to sleep or rest before you need to be active again.

  • This medicine is not for long-term use.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Use this medicine only when you cannot sleep. You do not need to take it on a schedule.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Take this medicine just before bedtime or when you are having trouble falling asleep. You should not take this medicine if you do not have 7 to 8 hours to sleep or rest before you need to be active again.

  • Use this medicine only when you cannot sleep. You do not need to take it on a schedule.

  • This medicine is not for long-term use.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

Restoril contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to temazepam or similar medicines, or if you are pregnant.

Restoril warnings

  • 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.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments. Call your doctor if you still have trouble sleeping after you take this medicine for 7 to 10 days.

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

  • 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.

  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, breathing problems, or a history of alcohol or drug abuse, depression, or mental health problems.

  • This medicine may cause respiratory depression, a serious breathing problem that can be life-threatening, when used together with narcotic pain medicines.

  • This medicine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, especially first thing the next morning. It may also cause decreased alertness or trouble with thinking or trouble with controlling body movements, which may lead to falls, fractures, or other injuries. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • This medicine may cause unusual moods and behaviors. You may also do things while you are still asleep that you may not remember the next morning, including driving, eating, having sex, sleepwalking, or making phone calls. Tell your doctor right away if you have learned that this has happened. Also tell your doctor if you have any thought or behavior changes (including problems with gambling or increased sex drive) that concern you.

  • This medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor right away if you start to feel depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourself.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Restoril interactions

  • Some medicines can affect how temazepam works. Tell your doctor if you are using diphenhydramine.

  • 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.

  • This medicine may cause you to do things while you are still asleep that you may not remember the next morning, such as driving a car, having sex, or eating. Tell your doctor right away if you learn that this has happened.

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy, especially first thing the next morning. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • 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.

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Restoril side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Extreme drowsiness or weakness, slow heartbeat, trouble breathing, seizure, cold, clammy skin

  • Blue lips, fingernails, or skin

  • Depression, anxiety, irritability, seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there, trouble sleeping, unusual mood or behavior, thoughts of hurting yourself or others

  • Confusion or unusual excitement, nervousness, irritability

  • Severe confusion, drowsiness, or muscle weakness

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Drowsiness, dizziness, sleepiness

  • Clumsiness, trouble with coordination