KWAZ-e-pam
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Doral
Available Dosage Forms:
- Tablet
Therapeutic Class: Hypnotic
Pharmacologic Class: Benzodiazepine, Long Acting
Uses For quazepam
Quazepam is used to treat insomnia (trouble in sleeping). quazepam is for short-term (usually 7 to 10 days) use only. Quazepam is a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines belong to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which are medicines that slow down the nervous system.
quazepam is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before Using quazepam
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For quazepam, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to quazepam or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of quazepam in children. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of quazepam in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related heart, liver, or kidney problems which may an adjustment in the dose in patients receiving quazepam.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
---|---|---|
All Trimesters | X | Studies in animals or pregnant women have demonstrated positive evidence of fetal abnormalities. This drug should not be used in women who are or may become pregnant because the risk clearly outweighs any possible benefit. |
Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking quazepam, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using quazepam with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Alfentanil
- Amobarbital
- Anileridine
- Aprobarbital
- Butabarbital
- Butalbital
- Carisoprodol
- Chloral Hydrate
- Chlorzoxazone
- Codeine
- Dantrolene
- Ethchlorvynol
- Fentanyl
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Levorphanol
- Meperidine
- Mephenesin
- Mephobarbital
- Meprobamate
- Metaxalone
- Methocarbamol
- Methohexital
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Pentobarbital
- Phenobarbital
- Primidone
- Propoxyphene
- Remifentanil
- Secobarbital
- Sodium Oxybate
- Sufentanil
- Tapentadol
- Thiopental
- Zolpidem
Using quazepam with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- St John's Wort
- Theophylline
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of quazepam. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Breathing problems or lung disease or
- Depression—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
- Kidney disease or
- Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.
- Sleep apnea (temporary stopping of breathing during sleep)—Should not be used in patients with this condition.
Proper Use of quazepam
Take quazepam only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.
Take quazepam just before going to bed, when you are ready to go to sleep. quazepam works very quickly to put you to sleep.
quazepam should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Dosing
The dose of quazepam will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of quazepam. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For insomnia (trouble in sleeping):
- Adults—At first, 15 milligrams (mg) at bedtime. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed.
- Older adults—At first, 7.5 milligrams (mg) at bedtime. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For insomnia (trouble in sleeping):
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of quazepam, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions While Using quazepam
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to see if the medicine is working properly and to allow for changes in the dose.
Using quazepam while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away. Do not breastfeed while you are using quazepam.
If you develop any unusual and strange thoughts or behavior while you are taking quazepam, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Some changes that have occurred in people taking quazepam are like those seen in people who drink alcohol and then act in a manner that is not normal. Other changes may be more unusual and extreme, such as confusion, worsening of depression, hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there), suicidal thoughts, and unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability.
quazepam may 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 asleep or not fully awake. If these reactions occur, tell your doctor right away.
Quazepam may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Stop taking quazepam and call your doctor right away if you have itching, hives, hoarseness, nausea or vomiting, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, mouth or throat while you are using quazepam.
quazepam will add to the effects of alcohol and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants. CNS depressants are medicines that slow down the nervous system, which may cause drowsiness or make you less alert. Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates (used for seizures); muscle relaxants; or anesthetics (numbing medicines), including some dental anesthetics. This effect may last for a few days after you stop taking quazepam. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using quazepam.
quazepam may cause some people, especially older persons, to become drowsy or less alert than they are normally. Even though quazepam is taken at bedtime, it may cause some people to feel drowsy or less alert on arising. Make sure you know how you react to quazepam before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy, or are not alert or able to see well.
Do not stop taking it without checking with your doctor first. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. This may help prevent a worsening of your condition and reduce the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, such as convulsions (seizures), hallucinations, stomach or muscle cramps, tremors, or unusual behavior.
If your condition does not improve within 7 to 10 days, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.
quazepam Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- dry mouth
- hyperventilation
- increased muscle spasm
- irregular heartbeats
- irritability
- nervousness
- nightmares
- restlessness
- shaking
- shortness of breath
- trouble in sleeping
- unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- changes in patterns and rhythms of speech
- chills
- clay-colored stools
- dark urine
- decrease in frequency of urination
- decrease in urine volume
- difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
- fever
- headache
- inability to move eyes
- increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
- itching
- loss of appetite
- loss of bladder control
- nausea
- painful urination
- rash
- seizures
- shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
- sleeplessness
- slurred speech
- sticking out of the tongue
- trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
- trouble in breathing, speaking, or swallowing
- unable to sleep
- uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs
- unpleasant breath odor
- unusual facial expressions
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting of blood
- yellow eyes or skin
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
- Change in consciousness
- loss of consciousness
- mood or mental changes
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Acid or sour stomach
- belching
- heartburn
- indigestion
- stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
- Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
- inability to have or keep an erection
- increased in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
- increased interest in sexual intercourse
- loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
- menstrual changes
- sweating
- vomiting
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: quazepam side effects (in more detail)
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More quazepam resources
- Quazepam Side Effects (in more detail)
- Quazepam Dosage
- Quazepam Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Quazepam Drug Interactions
- Quazepam Support Group
- 1 Review for Quazepam - Add your own review/rating
- quazepam Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)
- Quazepam Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
- Quazepam MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare quazepam with other medications
- Insomnia
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