What is Quazepam?

QUICK LINKS

• Blackbox Warning
• Overview
• Proper Use
• Dosing
• Missed Dose
• Use & Storage
• Before Using
• Allergies
• Pediatric
• Geriatric
• Pregnancy
• Breast Feeding
• Drug Interactions
• Other Interactions
• Other Medical Problems
• Precautions

Blackbox WarningTOP

OverviewTOP

Quazepam is used to treat insomnia (trouble in sleeping). This medicine 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.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Proper UseTOP

Take this medicine 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.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Take quazepam just before going to bed, when you are ready to go to sleep. This medicine works very quickly to put you to sleep.

Use this medicine only when you cannot sleep. You do not need to keep a regular dosage schedule for taking it. Do not use two doses at the same time.

DosingTOP

The dose of this medicine 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 this medicine. 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 and older adults—At first, 7.5 milligrams (mg) (half-tablet) at bedtime. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed DoseTOP

If you miss a dose of this medicine, 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.

Use & StorageTOP

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.

Before UsingTOP

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 this medicine, the following should be considered:

AllergiesTOP

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine 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.

PediatricTOP

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.

GeriatricTOP

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 require an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving quazepam.

PregnancyTOP

Breast FeedingTOP

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.

Drug InteractionsTOP

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 this medicine, 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 this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Flumazenil

Using this medicine 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
• Benzhydrocodone
• Bromazepam
• Bromopride
• Buprenorphine
• Butabarbital
• Butalbital
• Butorphanol
• Carbinoxamine
• Carisoprodol
• Chloral Hydrate
• Chlorzoxazone
• Codeine
• Dantrolene
• Dihydrocodeine
• Doxylamine
• Ethchlorvynol
• Fentanyl
• Flibanserin
• Hydrocodone
• Hydromorphone
• Levorphanol
• Loxapine
• Meclizine
• Meperidine
• Mephenesin
• Mephobarbital
• Meprobamate
• Metaxalone
• Methadone
• Methocarbamol
• Methohexital
• Metoclopramide
• Mirtazapine
• Morphine
• Morphine Sulfate Liposome
• Nalbuphine
• Oxycodone
• Oxymorphone
• Pentazocine
• Pentobarbital
• Periciazine
• Phenobarbital
• Primidone
• Secobarbital
• Sodium Oxybate
• Sufentanil
• Tapentadol
• Thiopental
• Tramadol
• Zolpidem

Using this medicine 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

Other InteractionsTOP

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 ProblemsTOP

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Alcohol abuse, history of or
• Breathing problems or lung disease or
• Depression or
• Drug abuse or dependence, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Sleep apnea (temporary stopping of breathing during sleep)—Should not be used in patients with this condition.

PrecautionsTOP

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.

If your condition does not improve within 7 to 10 days, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.

Using this medicine 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.

Quazepam may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. 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 this medicine.

This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.

This medicine 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 or seizures medicine, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics (numbing medicines), including some dental anesthetics. This effect may last for a few days after you stop taking this medicine. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using this medicine.

This medicine 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 this medicine 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.

This medicine may cause sleep-related behaviors such as driving a car (sleep-driving), walking (sleep-walking), having sex, talking, or preparing and eating food while asleep or not fully awake. If these reactions occur, tell your doctor right away.

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 this medicine 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.