$Unique_ID{BRK03163} $Pretitle{} $Title{flurazepam} $Subject{Dalmane Roche Benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotic flurazepam insomnia falling asleep waking wakefulness depressant central nervous system brain spinal cord} $Volume{} $Log{ Dalmane 15 mg*0316301.scf Dalmane 30 mg*0316302.scf} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. flurazepam ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) Dalmane (Roche) flurazepam (various manufacturers) TYPE OF DRUG Benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotic INGREDIENT flurazepam DOSAGE FORM Capsules (15 mg and 30 mg) STORAGE This medication should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed, light-resistant container. USES Flurazepam is prescribed to treat insomnia (including problems in falling asleep, waking during the night, and early morning wakefulness). It is not clear exactly how this medicine works, but it may relieve insomnia by acting as a depressant of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). TREATMENT Flurazepam should be taken ten to 15 minutes before bedtime. It can be taken with food or a full glass of water if stomach upset occurs. Do not take this medication with antacids, since they may slow its absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. Your sleeping problem may improve the first night you take this medication, but it may take two or three nights before the effectiveness of flurazepam is noticed. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Bitter taste in the mouth, constipation, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, daytime drowsiness, dry mouth, excessive salivation, fatigue, flushing, headache, heartburn, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, sweating, or vomiting. As your body adjusts to the medicine, these side effects should disappear. To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise more, and drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). Dry mouth can be relieved by chewing sugarless gum or by sucking on ice chips. If you feel dizzy while taking this medication, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs. Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about blurred or double vision, chest pain, fainting, falling, fever, hallucinations, joint pain, nightmares, palpitations, rash, severe depression, shortness of breath, slurred speech, sore throat, uncoordinated movements, unusual excitement, unusual tiredness, or yellowing of the eyes or skin. INTERACTIONS Flurazepam interacts with several other types of drugs: 1. To prevent oversedation, this drug should not be taken with alcohol, other sedative drugs, or central nervous system depressants (such as antihistamines, barbiturates, muscle relaxants, pain medicines, narcotics, drugs for seizures, phenothiazine tranquilizers) or with antidepressants. 2. This medication may decrease the effectiveness of levodopa and oral anticoagulants (blood thinners) and may increase the effects of phenytoin. 3. Disulfiram, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), isoniazid, and cimetidine can increase the blood levels of flurazepam, which can lead to increased side effects. 4. Concurrent use of rifampin or carbamazepine may decrease the effectiveness of flurazepam. BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially any listed above. WARNINGS * Tell your doctor about any unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to flurazepam or other benzodiazepine tranquilizers (such as alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, diazepam, halazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam, prazepam, temazepam, and triazolam). * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had liver disease, kidney disease, epilepsy, lung disease, myasthenia gravis, porphyria, mental depression, or mental illness. * Flurazepam can cause drowsiness. Avoid tasks that require alertness, such as driving a car or using potentially dangerous equipment. * This medication has the potential for abuse and must be used with caution. Tolerance may develop quickly; do not increase the dosage of the drug without first consulting your doctor. It is also important not to stop taking this drug suddenly if you have been taking it in large amounts or if you have used it for several weeks. Your doctor may want to reduce the dosage gradually. * This is a safe drug when used properly. When it is combined with other sedative drugs or with alcohol, however, serious side effects may develop. * The elderly may be at increased risk for side effects, especially daytime drowsiness or confusion. Report any changes in mental status to your doctor immediately. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. This type of medicine has been shown to increase the chance of birth defects if it is taken during the first three months of pregnancy. In addition, too much use of this medicine during the last six months of pregnancy may result in addiction of the fetus--leading to withdrawal side effects at birth. Also, use of this medicine during the last weeks of pregnancy may cause excessive drowsiness, slowed heartbeat, and breathing difficulties in the newborn. It is very important to tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. This medicine can pass into breast milk and cause excessive drowsiness, slowed heartbeat, and breathing difficulties in nursing infants. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.