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What is quazepam?
Quazepam is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). Quazepam affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause sleep problems (insomnia).
Quazepam is used to treat insomnia symptoms, such as trouble falling or staying asleep.
Quazepam may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Precautions
Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity. If this happens to you, stop taking quazepam and talk with your doctor about another treatment for your sleep disorder.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to quazepam or to other benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), midazolam (Versed), temazepam (Restoril), or triazolam (Halcion).
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take quazepam.
- asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathing problems;
- kidney or liver disease;
- a history of depression, mental illness, suicidal thoughts or behavior; or
- a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
FDA pregnancy category X. Quazepam can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. It may also cause withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes quazepam during pregnancy. Do not use quazepam if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.
Quazepam can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
The sedative effects of quazepam may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are taking quazepam.
Do not give this medication to anyone under 18 years old.
Do not drink alcohol while taking quazepam. Even alcohol consumed during the day can increase the side effects of quazepam taken at bedtime. Avoid alcohol for several days after taking quazepam, as small amounts of the drug may remain in your body during that time.
Quazepam can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Instructions
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, and fainting or coma.
Since quazepam is taken as needed, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule. Take quazepam only when you have time for several hours of sleep.
Side Effects
Quazepam may cause a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking quazepam and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using quazepam and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- worsening insomnia;
- changes in your thoughts or behavior;
- confusion, anxiety, slurred speech, unusual thoughts or behavior;
- hallucinations, agitation, aggression;
- weak or shallow breathing;
- fast or pounding heartbeats;
- muscle stiffness in your tongue, jaw, or neck;
- problems with urination; or
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
- daytime drowsiness (or during hours when you are not normally sleeping);
- amnesia or forgetfulness;
- muscle weakness, lack of balance or coordination;
- dizziness, vision problems;
- nightmares;
- headache, blurred vision, depressed mood;
- feeling nervous, excited, or irritable;
- impotence, loss of interest in sex;
- mild itching or skin rash;
- nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite; or
- dry mouth, increased thirst.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interactions
Before using quazepam, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by quazepam.
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04