Restoril as Short-Term Insomnia Treatment

Temazepam and Sleep

Restoril, a brand-name for the drug temazepam, is one of a handful of popular short-term sleep aids useful for treating acute insomnia symptoms. Restoril is manufactured by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, but temazepam as a treatment for insomnia has been generically used since the late 1960s.

During the mid-20th century insomnia drugs were discovered and temazepam was one of the first successfully and safely used to treat insomnia.

Restoril (temazepam) is a benzodiazepine sleep aid and designed for short-term treatments – usually no more than 14 days and under the careful supervision of a physician. Mallinckrodt, the maker of Restoril, contends that their version of temazepam is superior to other benzos: potency is much less, the half-life is 8 hours so it’s more useful for more types of patients, and it poses fewer risky drug interactions.

Restoril Uses

Restoril’s longer half-life – 8 hours – makes it a useful hypnotic medication for almost any type of insomnia sufferer: sleep onset, middle of eh night waking, and early waking. A benefit to the drug is its ability to put you to sleep quickly and keep you asleep long enough to get restful sleep for a full night—exactly what your body needs to reset its biological clock.

Restoril comes in two dosages—a low dose version for infrequent insomnia sufferers and a high dose version if your insomnia is more stubborn and/or you are already conditioned to prescription drugs and have taken other sleep aids previously.

Temazepam, known for its muscle relaxing qualities, can also be used as a sedative before surgery.

Patients that should not take tempazepam include those with the following:

• depression
• sleep apnea
• diabetes
• any allergies to benzodiazepines

How Restoril Works

Temazepam, the drug in Restoril, stimulates the GABA receptor in the brain. This neurotransmitter acts like a channel for sleep inducing amino acids and when stimulated by temazepam inspires rapid feelings of sleepiness and relaxation.

Risks and Side Effects of Restoril (temazepam)

All prescription drugs carry risks for side effects. Restoril risks and side effects could include:

• dizziness
• loss of coordination
• lack of concentration
• headache

More serious side effects are possible. Anything unusual should be reported immediately to your physician.