Temazepam

RESTORIL

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Pronunciation: te-MAZ-e-pam

Temazepam ballicule: receptor binding, kinetics and half-life diagram — Mechanism of action: Temazepam ballicule

Temazepam RESTORIL mascot mnemonic cartoon — Visual mnemonic: Temazepam mascot
**“The ‘mazing Rest troll”**

What it isIntermediate-duration GABA-A positive allosteric modulator; insomnia.

Why it mattersGlucuronidation rather than oxidative metabolism makes it a cleaner hypnotic choice in liver disease.

What it changesDependence, withdrawal, and falls limit use; combining it with opioids can cause fatal respiratory depression.

Pearls

LOT benzos (lorazepam, oxazepam, temazepam): no CYP3A4 interactions.
Labeled only for short-term use, about 7-10 days.
Onset 30-60 minutes; take well before bedtime.

Temazepam molecular structure (skeletal formula) — Molecular structure: Temazepam

Temazepam prescription history

Animated chart of estimated U.S. prescriptions per year, Sleep meds (1869–2026). Temazepam enters in 1981 (estimated).

FDA-approved for

insomnia (1981)

Classes and tags

Clinical profile

Therapeutic safety burden2 / 4

Overdose danger2 / 4

Weight-gain liability0 / 4

Sedation liability3 / 4

QT / Torsades0 / 4

Direct muscarinic antagonism0 / 4

Embryofetal risk2 / 4

Legacy pregnancy categoryX

Defining liabilitySedation, falls, dependence and additive respiratory depression with opioids or other CNS depressants.

FDA label

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BOXED WARNING Concomitant opioids (profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, death); abuse, misuse and addiction; dependence and withdrawal reactions

FDA dosing	Population	Start	Target	Max
Insomnia (short-term)	Adults	15 mg QHS	15 mg QHS (range 7.5–30 mg)	30 mg QHS
Insomnia	Elderly/debilitated	7.5 mg QHS	7.5 mg QHS until response determined

Renal Undefined

Hepatic Undefined

Instructions

Take orally before retiring
7.5 mg may suffice for transient insomnia

Available strengths

cap 7.5, 15, 22.5, 30 mg

Contraindications

Pregnancy (Category X) — may cause fetal harm

Cautions

CNS depression / next-day impairment
Abuse, dependence, and withdrawal potential (benzodiazepine)
Neonatal CNS depression with use in late pregnancy

Adverse reactions

Drowsiness, headache, fatigue, nervousness, lethargy, dizziness, nausea, hangover

Pregnancy Contraindicated (Category X) — may cause fetal harm

Lactation Undefined

Cost

Temazepam (RESTORIL)

What pharmacies pay · NADAC 9/30/26

Strength		#/mo	generic $/mo	CostPlus
7.5 mg	cap	30 qd	$25.01	not offered
15 mg	cap	30 qd	$2.30	not offered
22.5 mg	cap	30 qd	$46.48	not offered
30 mg	cap	30 qd	$2.68	not offered

Generic entry1985

Active metabolites

Oxazepam

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Memory aids: interaction avatars

UGT2B15 substrate

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Self-check

How is temazepam metabolized instead of oxidatively?
Glucuronidation.
What can combining temazepam with opioids cause?
Fatal respiratory depression.