Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Dalmane
- Sedative/Hypnotics
Description
Oral benzodiazepine with a relatively long half life.
Used as a hypnotic agent in the short-term management of insomnia.
Likely to cause residual daytime effects vs. other shorter-acting benzodiazepines.
Indications
Indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty in falling asleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings, and/or early morning awakenings.
Contraindications
Documented hypersensitivity
Acute alcohol intoxication
Myasthenia gravis (allowable in limited circumstances)
Narrow angle glaucoma (questionable)
Severe respiratory depression
Depressed neuroses, psychotic reactions
IV use in shock, coma, depressed respiration, patients who recently received other respiratory depressants
Lactation
Adverse Effects
Common
Ataxia
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Lethargy
Light-headedness
Less Common
Chest pain, palpitations
Headache, irritability, nervousness, weakness
GI complaints
Myalgia
GU complaints
Rare
Elevations of AST, ALT, bilirubin (T&D), alk phos
Warnings
Use caution in COPD, sleep apnea, renal/hepatic disease, open-angle glaucoma (questionable), depression, suicide ideation
May impair ability to perform hazardous tasks
Use caution in patients with history of drug abuse or acute alcoholism; tolerance, psychological and physical dependence may occur with prolonged use
Pregnancy and Lactation
Pregnancy Category: X
Lactation: Excretion in milk unknown; not recommended
Maximum Dosage
30 mg/day PO at bedtime.
15 mg/day PO at bedtime.
>= 15 years: 30 mg/day PO at bedtime.
< 15 years: Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
How supplied
Flurazepam hydrochloride
capsule: Schedule IV
- 15mg
- 30mg
