Estazolam
Estazolam (es TA zoe lam) is a generic medication prescribed for insomnia (trouble sleeping). Estazolam belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.
Estazolam (es TA zoe lam) is a generic medication prescribed for insomnia (trouble sleeping). Estazolam belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 2mg
- • 30 Tablets
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Ashley Wong, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Updated on September 7, 2023
Estazolam (es TA zoe lam) is a generic medication prescribed for insomnia (trouble sleeping). Estazolam belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.
Boxed warnings
Estazolam has boxed warnings, which are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These include:
- risk of serious harm if taken with opioids
- risk of misuse and addiction
- risk of dependence and withdrawal
For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for estazolam” section.
Side effects
Side effects of estazolam
Estazolam may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of estazolam and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about estazolam’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for estazolam listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with estazolam are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about estazolam’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for estazolam listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Estazolam oral tablet’s mild side effects include:
- sleepiness
- headache
- weakness
- nervousness
- mild allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for estazolam” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of estazolam are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about estazolam’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for estazolam listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, estazolam’s serious side effects include:
- blurry vision and double vision
- slowed ability to think, focus, and react
- slowed breathing
- unusual behaviors while asleep, such as driving, making phone calls, and preparing food
- changes in thoughts and behaviors, such as aggression, depression, and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real)
- seizures
- suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- boxed warnings:*
- risk of serious harm if taken with opioids
- risk of misuse and addiction
- risk of dependence and withdrawal
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for estazolam” section.
Suicide prevention
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
- Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
FAQ
Common questions about estazolam
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about estazolam.
What brand names are available for estazolam?
There are no brand-name versions of estazolam available. A brand-name version of estazolam called ProSom used to be available. But it was discontinued in the United States. At this time, estazolam is only available as a generic medication.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. An active drug is the ingredient that makes medication work. Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less compared to brand-name drugs.
If you have more questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is estazolam similar to alprazolam or clonazepam?
Yes, in some ways. Estazolam, alprazolam, and clonazepam all belong to the same group of drugs called benzodiazepines. And all three medications have boxed warnings* about:
- risk of serious harm if taken with opioids
- risk of misuse and addiction
- risk of dependence and withdrawal
But each medication is used to treat different medical conditions. Alprazolam is used for anxiety or panic disorder, and clonazepam is used for seizures or panic disorder. Estazolam is only prescribed to treat insomnia (trouble sleeping).
If you have questions about the treatment that’s right for your condition, talk with your doctor.
* Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For more details about Estazolam’s boxed warnings, see the “Interactions and warnings for estazolam” section.
Can estazolam be used for anxiety?
Maybe, but estazolam is only approved to treat insomnia. It’s not approved to treat anxiety.
In some cases, doctors may prescribe estazolam off-label for anxiety or other uses. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
If you want to know more about treatment options for anxiety, talk with your doctor.
How does estazolam work? And how long does it take to start working?
Estazolam belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. It boosts the activity of a chemical in your body that helps you calm down. By doing so, estazolam helps you fall asleep and stay asleep.
You should have improved sleep after 7-10 days of taking estazolam. If your insomnia is not getting better within this time frame, talk with your doctor. There may be another condition that’s causing your insomnia.
To learn more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Uses
Uses of estazolam
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as estazolam for certain conditions. Approved uses for estazolam are described below.
Use for trouble sleeping
Doctors may prescribe estazolam oral tablet for treating insomnia (trouble sleeping). It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.
With insomnia, you may have trouble falling asleep. You might also wake up in the middle of the night or early in the morning before you want to be awake. Estazolam helps people fall asleep and stay asleep. It also helps people sleep longer and have better quality of sleep.
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for estazolam
Below you’ll find information about estazolam’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of estazolam
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take estazolam, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for estazolam” section below.
Warnings for estazolam
Estazolam should be taken cautiously by certain people.
Boxed warnings
Estazolam has boxed warnings about certain risks. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
To learn more about these warnings, read below. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Risk of serious harm if taken with opioids. Taking estazolam with opioid medications can cause serious and life threatening side effects. These include extreme sleepiness, slowed breathing, coma, and even death.
This is because estazolam and opioids both slow down your central nervous system (CNS). The CNS is made up of your brain and spinal cord. When these medications are taken together, your CNS may slow down too much resulting in serious symptoms.
Because of this risk, doctors usually do not prescribe estazolam if you’re taking opioids. If this combination of medications is the best or only option, your doctor will prescribe the lowest dose of each medication. And they’ll prescribe the medications for the shortest amount of time needed.
If you’re taking estazolam with opioids and have any of the following symptoms, seek emergency medical help right away:
- trouble breathing or stopped breathing
- extreme drowsiness or inability to wake up
Risk of misuse and addiction. Misuse means a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed. Addiction means a drug is taken, even though it may be causing harm.
Even if it’s taken at the recommended dose, estazolam has a risk of misuse and addiction, especially if you take it with opioids, alcohol, or other substances that can cause similar effects. Misuse and addiction can lead to overdose and serious side effects. These include seizures, trouble breathing, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, coma, and even death.
Because of these risks, estazolam is a schedule IV controlled substance in the United States. Controlled substances have restrictions on how they can be prescribed and dispensed at pharmacies. These rules are set by the government and are in place to help lower the risk of misuse and addiction.
If you have concerns about estazolam and these risks, talk with your doctor.
Risk of dependence and withdrawal. Dependence means the body needs the drug in order to function like usual. Withdrawal symptoms can occur when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on. Estazolam can cause dependence and withdrawal, and the risk is higher if you take estazolam for several days or weeks.
Due to this risk, you should not suddenly stop taking estazolam. Doing so can cause serious side effects, such as seizures and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real). It can also cause depression, and suicidal thoughts and actions.
If you want to stop taking estazolam, talk with your doctor. They’ll likely recommend a plan to gradually lower your dose over time until it’s safe for you to stop the medication completely. If you have concerns about the risk of dependence and withdrawal, talk with your doctor.
Other warnings
Estazolam could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether estazolam is a safe option for you.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for estazolam, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Estazolam can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to estazolam or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe estazolam. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to estazolam, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of estazolam
You should not take more estazolam than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much estazolam, 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 concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and estazolam
Information about estazolam and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Estazolam and pregnancy
There are risks to taking estazolam during pregnancy. But there are also risks with having untreated insomnia (trouble sleeping) while pregnant. (Keep in mind that estazolam is used for treating insomnia.)
If the drug is taken late in pregnancy, it may cause a newborn to have extreme sleepiness, slowed breathing, or other symptoms.
If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about insomnia treatment options during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should take estazolam during pregnancy.
If you’re pregnant and taking estazolam, there is a pregnancy registry available that monitors the effects of estazolam on pregnancies. You can sign up for the registry here or by calling 866-961-2388. You can also talk with your doctor to learn more.
Estazolam and breastfeeding
Estazolam should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with estazolam.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know if you have questions about estazolam or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How can I lower my risk of dependence and addiction with estazolam?*
- How long can I take estazolam?
- Are there drug interactions I should try to avoid when taking estazolam?
- Are there alternative medications that I can take for insomnia (trouble sleeping)?
* Estazolam has boxed warnings for these risks. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For more details, see the “Interactions and warnings for estazolam” section.
Resources
Resources
- Estazolam — estazolam tablet. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/9aaffc1b-3779-4e6f-89ed-fb302ecd1807/spl-doc
- Food and Drug Administration. (2018). Registry information for pregnant women. https://www.fda.gov/science-research/womens-health-research/registry-information-pregnant-women
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
- U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration. Controlled substance schedules. (n.d.). https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/
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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