Quazepam
Pronounced
"KWAY-zeh-pam"
Uses
This medication is used for the short-term treatment of patients with trouble sleeping (insomnia). It is generally used for 7-10 days. It may help you fall asleep faster and decrease the number of times you awaken during the night. It may also help you sleep for a longer period of time. Quazepam belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It acts on your brain to produce a calming effect.
Warning
Quazepam has a risk for abuse and addiction, which can lead to overdose and death. Taking this medication with alcohol or other drugs that can cause drowsiness or breathing problems (especially opioid medications such as codeine, hydrocodone) may cause very serious side effects, including death. To lower your risk, your doctor should have you take the smallest dose of quazepam that works, and take it for the shortest possible time. Be sure you know how to take quazepam and what other drugs you should avoid taking with it. See also Drug Interactions section. Get medical help right away if any of these very serious side effects occur: slow/shallow breathing, unusual lightheadedness, severe drowsiness/dizziness, difficulty waking up.
Suddenly stopping this medication may cause serious (possibly fatal) withdrawal, especially if you have used it for a long time or in high doses. To prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have any withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, restlessness, hallucinations/confusion, depression, nausea, or seizures. Withdrawal symptoms may sometimes last weeks to months.
How to Use This Medication
See also Warning section.
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using quazepam and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once nightly, 30 minutes before bedtime. The dosage is based on your medical condition, age, and response to treatment.
Although unlikely, this drug can rarely cause temporary memory loss. To avoid this effect, do not take a dose of this drug unless you have time for a full night's sleep that lasts at least 7-8 hours. For example, do not take this drug during an overnight plane flight of less than 8 hours.
Though it helps many people, this medication may sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Do not increase your dose, take it more often, or use it for a longer time than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed.
When used for an extended period, this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.
You may experience trouble sleeping the first few nights after you stop taking this medication. This is called rebound insomnia and it is normal. It will usually go away after 1-2 nights. If this effect continues, contact your doctor.
Inform your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse after 7-10 days.
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