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Temazepam oral capsule dosage: A detailed guide

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Form and strengthsDosageFAQWithdrawalHow it’s takenCouponOverdoseAsk your doctorBoxed warnings
Doctors prescribe temazepam oral capsule for the short-term treatment of insomnia (trouble sleeping) in adults. You take it by mouth once per day at bedtime.
Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Updated on

This article describes temazepam oral capsule’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for temazepam. If you want to know more about temazepam oral capsule, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s purposes and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Temazepam oral capsule is a generic version of the brand-name drug Restoril.

Boxed warnings

This drug has boxed warnings about the risk of serious harm if taken with opioids, as well as the risk of misuse and addiction. It also has a boxed warning about the risk of dependence and withdrawal. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For more information about the risk of dependence and withdrawal, see the “Withdrawal from temazepam” section below. For details on the other risks, see the end of this article.

Form and strengths of temazepam

Temazepam oral capsule comes as follows:

  • Form: oral capsule, which you take by swallowing
  • Strengths: 7.5 milligrams (mg), 15 mg, 22.5 mg, and 30 mg

Dosage of temazepam

This article describes the recommended dosages for temazepam oral capsule. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of temazepam oral capsule without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of temazepam in adults

Below are the recommended dosages for temazepam in adults.

Dosage for trouble sleeping

Temazepam oral capsule is approved to treat insomnia (trouble sleeping) in adults. These are the recommended dosages:

  • Starting dosage: 7.5–15 mg once per day at bedtime
  • Maintenance dosage: 7.5–30 mg once per day at bedtime
  • Maximum dosage: 30 mg once per day at bedtime

Dosage adjustments for temazepam

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of temazepam oral capsule based on several factors. These include:

  • how severe your insomnia is
  • your age
  • other health conditions you may have
  • other medications you may take

Missed dose of temazepam

Temazepam oral capsule is usually taken right before you go to sleep. If you forget to take a dose, you can skip it and take your next dose as scheduled. If you’re unsure about skipping a missed dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

For tips on how to plan your doses of temazepam oral capsule and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

  • downloading a reminder app on your phone
  • setting an alarm
  • putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about temazepam oral capsule and its dosage.

Can temazepam be taken for anxiety? If so, what is the dosage?

Possibly, but temazepam oral capsule is not approved for this purpose.

Temazepam is only approved to treat insomnia (trouble sleeping). However, doctors may prescribe temazepam off-label for anxiety. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved to treat.

If you have questions about taking temazepam for anxiety, talk with your doctor. They can give you more information about the drug’s dosage for this purpose.

Does temazepam have a 45 mg or 60 mg daily dosage?

No, the drugmaker doesn’t recommend a 45 milligram (mg) or 60 mg daily dosage of temazepam oral capsule. To learn more about the drug’s recommended dosages, see the “Dosage of temazepam” section.

It’s important to take temazepam exactly how your doctor prescribes it. If you have questions about your dosage, talk with your doctor.

Is temazepam taken long term?

No, doctors don’t usually prescribe temazepam oral capsule as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended for up to 10 days as a short-term treatment for insomnia.

If you have questions about how long you should take temazepam oral capsule, talk with your doctor.

Withdrawal from temazepam

Temazepam oral capsule has a boxed warning about the risk of dependence and withdrawal. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

With dependence, your body needs the drug to function as usual. Suddenly stopping temazepam treatment may lead to withdrawal symptoms. These are side effects that can happen when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on. Withdrawal symptoms can also occur if your dosage is lowered too quickly. In extreme cases, these symptoms can be life threatening or long lasting.

Examples of withdrawal symptoms that may occur with temazepam include:

Certain factors may increase the risk of dependence and withdrawal with temazepam. These include long-term treatment with temazepam or taking high doses of the drug.

Your doctor can advise you on your risk of dependence and withdrawal with temazepam. To reduce your risk, your doctor will likely prescribe temazepam as a short-term treatment. Your doctor may also gradually decrease your temazepam dosage when it’s time to end treatment.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about the risk of dependence and withdrawal with temazepam.

How temazepam is taken

You’ll swallow temazepam oral capsule once per day at bedtime.

Swallow temazepam capsules whole. Do not chew or open the capsules. If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

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Overdose of temazepam

It’s important that you do not take more temazepam oral capsule than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of temazepam overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

What to do if you take too much temazepam

If you think you’ve taken too much temazepam, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for temazepam oral capsule. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of temazepam oral capsule without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take temazepam oral capsule exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • How does the dosage of temazepam compare with other drugs prescribed to treat insomnia?
  • If I have side effects with temazepam, will my dosage be lowered?
  • Will my dosage of temazepam change if I’m taking other medications with it?

Boxed warnings for temazepam

Temazepam has boxed warnings about the risk of:

  • serious harm if taken with opioids
  • misuse and addiction
  • dependence and withdrawal

A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Risk of serious harm if taken with opioids. Taking temazepam oral capsule with an opioid can lead to serious harm. Opioids are a group of drugs prescribed to manage pain. Examples include oxycodone (Roxicodone, Oxycontin) and hydrocodone (Hysingla ER).

Both temazepam and opioids can cause central nervous system (CNS) depression. With CNS depression, the activity of your brain and spinal cord is slowed. Taking temazepam and opioids together may cause severe or life threatening side effects, such as extreme sleepiness and slowed, shallow breathing.

Due to this risk, doctors usually avoid prescribing temazepam with an opioid unless other treatment options are not suitable. If your doctor prescribes them together, they’ll give you the lowest dose of each medication for the shortest time needed to treat your condition.

If you have symptoms of CNS depression while taking temazepam with an opioid, tell your doctor right away. If your symptoms seem severe or life threatening, call 911 (or a local emergency number) or seek emergency medical help immediately.

Risk of misuse and addiction. Temazepam oral capsule carries a risk of misuse and addiction. With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it. With addiction, a person takes a drug even if it’s causing harmful outcomes.

Misuse and addiction can cause severe side effects, some of which may be life threatening. A few examples include:

Due to the risk of misuse and addiction, temazepam is a controlled substance in the United States. A controlled substance is a drug the government regulates due to the risk of dependence or misuse. Doctors and pharmacists must follow strict rules when prescribing and dispensing the drug. These rules help reduce the risk of misuse and addiction.

Certain factors may increase the risk of misuse and addiction with temazepam. These include:

  • taking a higher dosage than your doctor prescribes
  • consuming alcohol with temazepam
  • having a substance use disorder

If you have questions about the risk of misuse and addiction with temazepam, talk with your doctor.

Risk of dependence and withdrawal. With dependence, your body needs the drug to function as usual. Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can happen when you stop taking a drug your body has become dependent on. For more information about this risk, see the “Withdrawal from temazepam” section above.

You can also talk with your doctor to learn more.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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