quazepam
Quazepam, also known by its brand name Doral, is a benzodiazepine that's used to treat insomnia. It helps adults fall asleep, stay asleep, or avoid waking up too early. You take a dose right before you go to bed as needed for sleep and plan to sleep for at least 8 hours. Otherwise, you might feel very groggy the next day, which is a common side effect of the medication. Quazepam (Doral) is only for short-term use because it can be habit-forming.
What is Quazepam (Doral)?
What is Quazepam (Doral) used for?
- Insomnia (trouble falling asleep or staying asleep)
How Quazepam (Doral) works
Quazepam (Doral) is a benzodiazepine, or "benzo" for short. It's thought to attach to proteins in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. This helps calm the brain, which makes it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Drug facts
Risks and warnings for Quazepam (Doral)
Quazepam (Doral) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Dangerous risks if taken with opioids
Taking quazepam (Doral) with opioid medications is dangerous. It can make you very sleepy and slow down your breathing, which can be life-threatening.
Because of these risks, it's important to talk to your prescriber or pharmacist if you need to take both a benzodiazepine and an opioid. They can help you find the safest option. Don't drive or use heavy machines until you're fully alert.
Risk of misuse and addiction
- Risk factors: Taking higher-than-recommended doses of quazepam (Doral) | Taking with illicit substances or other dangerous medications | Drinking alcohol
Quazepam (Doral) has a risk of misuse and addiction. This can lead to dangerously slowed breathing, overdose, and even death. The risk is higher if you mix quazepam (Doral) with alcohol or take it with other sedatives or opioids.
To lower your risk, take quazepam (Doral) only as prescribed. Take the lowest dose for the shortest amount of time to help you sleep. Talk to your prescriber if you're worried about these risks.
Dependence and withdrawal
- Risk factors: Taking quazepam (Doral) for a long time | Taking quazepam (Doral) at a higher dose or more often | Stopping the medication suddenly
Taking quazepam (Doral) for a long time or at high doses can lead to physical dependence. This is when your body gets used to the medication and needs it to feel normal.
If you suddenly lower your dose or stop taking quazepam (Doral), you might have withdrawal symptoms. These can include an upset stomach, muscle aches, shaking, headache, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and in rare cases, seizures. These symptoms can be uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous.
Always take quazepam (Doral) as instructed by your prescriber. Don't stop or change your dose without talking to your prescriber first. They can help you slowly lower the dose to stop the medication safely.
Feeling sleepy or having trouble focusing the next day
- Risk factors: Sleeping fewer than 7 to 8 hours after taking quazepam (Doral) | Drinking alcohol | Taking a higher dose of quazepam (Doral) | Taking other medications that can make you sleepy
People who take quazepam (Doral) can feel sleepy and have trouble focusing the next day. This can be dangerous, especially for older adults, because it raises the risk of falling.
These side effects are more likely to happen if you don't get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep after taking quazepam (Doral). The risk is also higher if you drink alcohol or take other medications that make you sleepy, like other benzodiazepines or opioids.
Don't drive or do anything that needs your full attention if you still feel sleepy. Wait until you feel fully awake and can think clearly to stay safe.
Severe allergic reactions
In some rare cases, quazepam (Doral) can cause serious allergic reactions. This can happen any time you take the medication. Allergic reactions can include swelling of the face, tongue, neck, or throat. Other symptoms are trouble breathing, closing of the throat, nausea, or vomiting. Call 911 right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction after taking quazepam (Doral).
Abnormal thoughts and unusual behavior
Some people taking quazepam (Doral) have had changes in thinking and behavior. This can include acting strangely or being more aggressive. Some also had hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't real). And others had memory problems or sleep issues. Talk to your prescriber if any unusual thoughts or behavior happen while you're taking this medication.
Doing things while asleep
- Risk factors: Higher dose of quazepam (Doral) | Drinking alcohol | Also taking other medications that slow the body down
Sometimes after taking quazepam (Doral), people can do things in their sleep or when they're not fully awake. They include sleepwalking, cooking, eating, making phone calls, and having sex. Some people might even drive while asleep, which is very dangerous. Most people don't remember doing these things. So if you've been told that you've done something like this in your sleep, talk to your prescriber. You'll need to stop taking quazepam (Doral).
Worsening depression
Benzodiazepines like quazepam (Doral) can make depression worse. Tell your prescriber if you have depression before starting this medication. They can keep an eye on your mental health. Let your care team know if your depression gets worse. And call 911 right away if you think about hurting yourself.
Risks to the newborn when taken during pregnancy
Tell your prescriber right away if you become pregnant while taking quazepam (Doral). They can help you find a safer option.
Quazepam (Doral) can harm your baby, especially if it's taken late in pregnancy. It can make your newborn very tired, have slow breathing, or have withdrawal. Signs of withdrawal include shaking, crying a lot, trouble feeding, or twitching. Sometimes, these effects can be dangerous. Healthcare specialists trained in newborn care can help if this happens.
More on Quazepam (Doral) warnings
Side effects of Quazepam (Doral)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Daytime drowsiness (12%)
- Headache (5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Feeling very tired
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Upset stomach
Quazepam (Doral) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe allergic reaction: swelling of your face, lips, or throat; trouble breathing or swallowing; closing of the throat; nausea; vomiting
- Worsening depression: low mood, low energy, loss of pleasure in life, appetite changes, thoughts of hurting yourself
More on Quazepam (Doral) side effects
Pros and cons of Quazepam (Doral)
Pros
- Helps you fall asleep and stay asleep, including if you wake up too early
- Usually helps you fall asleep relatively quickly (within an hour)
Cons
- Can cause drowsiness and headaches when waking up the morning after
- Can become habit-forming with longer use and cause withdrawal if stopped suddenly
Pharmacist tips for Quazepam (Doral)
- Take quazepam (Doral) only as needed when you have trouble sleeping. If your sleep doesn't get better after 7 to 10 days of taking the medication, talk to your prescriber or a sleep specialist. There might be another problem going on that's making it hard for you to sleep.
- Quazepam (Doral) can make you feel dizzy and drowsy. Older adults might be more sensitive to these effects. Don't do anything that needs focus after taking this medication.
- Don't take quazepam (Doral) unless you can sleep for at least 7 to 8 hours. If you don't get enough sleep, you might feel very groggy and have trouble focusing the next morning. Make sure you're fully awake before driving or doing anything that needs your full attention.
- Don't drink alcohol while taking quazepam (Doral). It make you feel even more dizzy and drowsy. Alcohol can also slow your breathing, which can be dangerous. Ask your prescriber if you have questions any avoiding alcohol while taking this medication.
- Don't take other sleep aids or sleep medications with quazepam (Doral). You might get too sleepy and have a harder time concentrating.
- Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all the medications you take. This is very important if you take opioids, sedatives, or other medications that make you sleepy. Taking them with quazepam (Doral) can cause serious side effects, like extreme sleepiness and very slow breathing. This can be life-threatening.
- Don't suddenly lower your dose or stop taking quazepam (Doral) without talking to your prescriber first. Doing this on your own can cause withdrawal. This can look like headache, sweating, muscle aches, stomach upset, and anxiety. Your prescriber will tell you the safest way to lower your dose or stop the medication.
Common questions about Quazepam (Doral)
Yes, quazepam (Doral) is still available in the U.S. with a prescription from a healthcare professional (HCP). But it's not a common medication for insomnia anymore. This is because other sleep medications are available that are better tolerated. Talk to your HCP to see which sleep medication is best for you.
Yes, quazepam (Doral) is a type of benzodiazepine. It's thought to work by calming your brain to help you sleep.
Yes, quazepam (Doral) is a controlled substance. It has a risk of misuse, addiction, and dependence. Because of this, there are certain limitations about how this medication can be prescribed, which are set by federal and state laws. To stay safe, take quazepam (Doral) exactly as prescribed. Talk to your prescriber if you have questions about these risks or limitations for quazepam (Doral).
Like all benzodiazepines, quazepam (Doral) has the potential to be addictive or habit-forming. This is more likely if you take it for a long time. Don't lower your dose or stop taking it suddenly without talking to your prescriber. Otherwise, you might have withdrawal symptoms like trouble sleeping, anxiety, muscle aches, or stomach upset. To lower your risk, take quazepam (Doral) only as your prescriber instructs you to. Talk to them if you want to stop the medication or if you're worried about the risks.
Quazepam (Doral) is considered a long-acting benzodiazepine. It can stay in your system for a long time after one dose. Because of this, you might still feel sleepy even into the afternoon the next day. To help avoid feeling sleepy during the next day, only take quazepam (Doral) if you can get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep. Don't drive or do anything that needs complete focus until you're fully awake.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking quazepam (Doral). Alcohol can worsen side effects of the medication, like sleepiness and dizziness. It can also slow your breathing or even make you lose consciousness, which can be very dangerous. Talk to your prescriber about your drinking habits. If it's hard for you to stop drinking, ask your healthcare team for support and resources to help.
Take quazepam (Doral) right before you go to bed as needed for sleep. In other words, take it once before bed only when you're having trouble sleeping. If your sleep doesn't get better after 7 to 10 days of treatment, talk to your prescriber or a sleep specialist. They can talk to you about other options to help with your sleep, including sleep hygiene tips. They can also check if there's another health problem that's causing your insomnia.
Talk to your prescriber or lactation specialist if you're breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Quazepam (Doral) can pass into breast milk. It might make your baby very sleepy, have trouble feeding, and have trouble gaining weight. The healthcare professional can help you understand the risks and benefits of breastfeeding while taking quazepam (Doral). They can also suggest safer ways to help you sleep or feed your baby. If you decide to breastfeed while taking quazepam (Doral), tell your healthcare professional if you notice side effects in your baby.
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Quazepam (Doral) dosage
Typical dosage for Quazepam (Doral)
The recommended starting dose is 7.5 mg by mouth at bedtime.
If you still have trouble sleeping, your prescriber might raise the dose to 15 mg if needed.
Quazepam (Doral) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Quazepam (Doral) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergic reaction to other benzodiazepines
- Sleep apnea
- Lung problems
