To treat patients with anxiety or panic disorder. Your doctor may use this medicine to treat other conditions as well. Temazepam (Restoril) is one of the benzodiazepines used for sleep disturbances. Top of page
General Information
This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect, adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions about your medicines, talk to your healthcare provider.
Follow the directions given to you by your doctor. This medicine is taken by mouth with water and can be taken with or without food. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice with this medicine. Top of page
Missed Dose
Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses. Top of page
Storage
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Top of page
Possible Side Effects
Some common side effects reported with this medicine include:
drowsiness
dizziness
unusual weakness
headache
clumsiness
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away; restlessness or excitement, constipation, difficulty urinating, blurred vision or changes in sex drive.
anxiety, depression
If you experience memory loss, behavioral problems, or involuntary muscle movements, talk to your doctor right away.
Seek medical attention immediately. U.S. residents can call the national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Top of page
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all other medicines that you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products.
This medicine should not be used if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This medicine can cause harm to your fetus. For breast-feeding mothers, check with your doctor to discuss any possible risks to your baby while taking this medicine. Top of page
More Information
For more information about this medicine, talk to your healthcare provider. Top of page
This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This is general information and should not in any event be construed as specific instructions for individual patients. The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. The reader is advised to check with their health care provider before making any changes in their drug regimen.
Last reviewed:
On 8 Aug 2006
By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.
Registered: July 2012 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 5
Sat August 25, 2012
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 7
PROS:
knocks back anxiety quick
CONS:
unless I have something to keep me busy, I'm looking for a pillow to sleep
This was used as they were still assessing me and just trying to get me to calm down. Even micro-doses put me to sleep after calming down (.125mg), so I used it as a last resort med.
Heck of a sleeping pill for me,not really what it is designed for (and it can become habitual in a sneaky, fast way).
jrbaggerboy Newly Joined
Registered: March 2009
Sun March 8, 2009
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $0.30| Rating: 10
PROS:
Calms anxiety quickly
CONS:
Possibility for addiction; can make some people feel detached
There are lots of people out there trying to demonize this drug. You can pull up whole websites full of people who believe it should even be taken off the market.I'm not one of those people, and to be honest, I think a good majority of them are drug abusers and got themselves into a mess by not taking the medication properly.When you have Panic Disorder and especially if you have agoraphobia, it isn't realistic to not take this drug. Panic attacks come on suddenly, and they are terrible. This drug is fast-acting enough to knock the panic attack out. You won't get such immediate results with other medications, which is why this one is ideal for panic attacks. You don't want to have to wait an hour for it to kick in--what would be the point?Many people on this medication probably don't even need to be on it. If you're suffering from general anxiety, get yourself on an SSRI or some other long-term antidepressant. They're less addictive and better suited for you. This medication should mainly be used to treat Panic Disorder, in my opinion, or insomnia.The potential for abuse comes from the fact it can make you feel euphoric at times because it's so calming. But if you don't raise your dosage without a doctor's consent and use it as directed, you'll be fine. Many people like the feeling it gives them and then start taking more than they're supposed to, and pretty soon they're hooked. Then they'll go online and post negative reviews saying how evil this drug is. Well, that's your own fault. Don't blame the drug.Currently, I have a prescription to take up to 0.5 mg a day (because I actually need it, seeing as I have agoraphobia and Panic Disorder), but often I don't even need to take it. I only take it when my anxiety is too much to handle. I have experienced no unpleasant side effects, despite some mild feelings of detachment when taking the higher end of the dose. It calms me down and keeps me from spiraling into a panic attack, which is exactly what I need.If you're taking the drug regularly, you will need to taper off. But this is true with many drugs--why would you ever just quit anything cold turkey? This is another nonsensical thing people love to use against this drug--that you have to wean off of it. I've had to wean off all my drugs, this is no different. You will hear stories about horrible withdrawal effects and people needing to be hospitalized to get off this. Most of these people I am convinced were obtaining this drug illegally through online pharmacies or had a doctor that overly prescribed it to them and they abused it.Currently, at the rate I take it, I can take one pill every other day or so when I need it, and sometimes even both pills. Some days I don't take any of it at all, and I'm fine.If you have Panic Disorder or agoraphobia, do yourself a favor and try it. It allowed me to leave my house again, and that's a feeling you don't forget after being cooped up inside for eight months. Don't get suckered into all these negative reviews online trying to demonize this drug--for people like us, it works better than anything out there and can really help you. It's just sad some people blame their irresponsible and addictive personality on the drug itself.
Chachine New Member
Registered: June 2008 Location: Iowa, USA Posts: 1
Sun June 29, 2008
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $0.05| Rating: 10
PROS:
works right away
CONS:
can make you sleepy
excellent for stopping anxiety. works right away. can be taken as needed in most cases(check with your doctor). EXCESS CAN CAUSE DEATH!
elizabeth101 Junior Member
Registered: May 2008 Posts: 12
Sun June 8, 2008
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
PROS:
helps relieve my anxiety and panic attacks! it also relieves my shaking from nervousness!
CONS:
makes me sleepy!
I take these for panic disorder! They act quickly to rid symptoms! They do make you sleepy and spacey at times!
artistikgrl New Member
Registered: March 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1
Fri March 28, 2008
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
PROS:
Worked quickly, even on 1/4 of a pill
CONS:
Never got to fully exp it, boyfriend stole doses
I'm not qualified to completly recomend it, but I was prescribed xanax after I had a severe panic attack. I have suffered from panic attacks since highschool, unfortunetly have not got help for it. My ex boyfriend, who was addicted to kolonopin and other benzos, stole all my pills. But for the short time i took it, 3 days, it worked nicely.
MellyCat Newly Joined
Registered: February 2008
Wed February 13, 2008
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
PROS:
can ease some anxiety, sometimes helped me out of panic attacks
CONS:
never really worked efficiently, memory loss, blacking out, tastes terrible, reduces attention span and mental clarity
I'm prescribed 1mg 3 times aday as needed. I rarely take it at all, because it doesn't seem to help me very much, and for a long time I feared it was used to subdue me by the man who raped me. The generic form does NOTHING for anxiety, but I do take it to help me fall asleep. Xanax works very well for a number of people, and I'm just one of those folks who don't seem to get the desired effects from it.
Anonymous
Tue January 29, 2008
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $3.63| Rating: 10
PROS:
fast acting relief, little to no side effects
CONS:
none
Med works real quick to relieve anxiety feelings that begin to come on, It also helps counter act the trouble sleeping as a result of a med like Zoloft.
LR7218 Newly Joined
Registered: November 2007
Mon November 26, 2007
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
PROS:
Helps with panic attacks
CONS:
Short Acting
Xanax is very effective for getting rid of panic attacks very quickly.The only downside is that it doesn't last very long.
fallangel New Member
Registered: October 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2
Fri November 23, 2007
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $20.00| Rating: 9
PROS:
works fast ,cheap,no headaches from it
CONS:
can bring you down if you take 2 many,
A wonderful drug that really works.Helps a lot for those who need it.
Diosa913 New Member
Registered: October 2007 Posts: 3
Wed October 3, 2007
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 5
PROS:
doesn't stop my panic attacks
CONS:
can make you feel "out of it"
Wow I wish this worked as well for me...It may help a little with my anxiety symptoms, but not nearly enough as I need it to. I can still have a full blown panic attack after I have taken a Xanax.
xp1155 Member
Registered: August 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 150
Sun August 26, 2007
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
PROS:
helps with anxiety and panic attacks, helps you sleep, doesn't stay in your system long
CONS:
drowsiness, diziness, addictive (for some), body becomes too tolerant if taken daily
I've been on and off Xanax for over five years. This is the ONLY drug that helps my panic and anxiety attacks. It also helps take the edge off a day of major depression. This drug should not be used daily because the longer you take it, the more your body adjusts to the medication and you will need a higher dose. This drug can be addictive for SOME people, not all. It should be a back-up in case of a panic or anxiety attack or on nights when you just can't sleep due to anxiety or depression. I highly recommend this drug for those who need something every now and then; but if you suffer daily from anxiety or panic attacks, I would encourage you to look at other treatments with your doctor.
Angst Newly Joined
Registered: April 2007 Location: Kansas
Wed April 4, 2007
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
PROS:
Nips my panic attacks in the bud.
CONS:
Memory loss
I use as needed, and it always brings me under control (1 mg dosage) when I begin to experience panic attacks. More than 2 mg in a day, though, and I experience short-term memory loss for the time I was on it.
jattitude74 Member
Registered: March 2007 Posts: 124
Wed April 4, 2007
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
PROS:
helps control my anxiety very well
CONS:
not pretty when I forget to take it, also makes me spacey
i need to take 3 in the am and 2 late afternoon, stops the anxiety attacks
SueCares New Member
Registered: March 2007 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 1
Fri March 2, 2007
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
PROS:
Does control anxiety
CONS:
Does make you sleepy
The best meds I've taken to shut off my brain at night so I can go to sleep. But I am very tired in the morning. I do suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness even without it, but it works faster and better as a sleep aid than any other sleeping pill I've used.
muse_of_psyche49 Newly Joined
Registered: February 2007
Wed February 14, 2007
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
PROS:
does control anxiety;helps with sleep
CONS:
can make you very drowsy
I have depression with anxiety.Xanax has helped,but i will get sleepy; so I only take it at night;most of the time,one-half pill works quite nicely..
AlteredState01 Poohbah
Registered: October 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1061
Tue October 10, 2006
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3
PROS:
Works well at calming anxieties
CONS:
Needed large dosages to be effective
Just not strong enough for me without having to take handfuls!
Sun September 24, 2006
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
PROS:
take to help me sleep & it calms my anxiety to allow me to fall asleep
CONS:
I take generic & have been on it for about 17 yrs. to help me get to sleep. Calms down the anxiety so I can sleep. I don't take it during the day at all. I haven't had to increase my dosage in the 17 yrs.
halfdead Junior Member
Registered: September 2006 Location: Gardiner, Maine, USA Posts: 6
Sun September 17, 2006
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
PROS:
Stops Panic & Anxiety in It's Tracks....
CONS:
Can make you sort of spaced out....
Stops the pounding heart, chest pain, sweaty palms, etc. of the panic/anxiety within minutes (on an empty stomach)...
eskielover just me wantng to be free
Registered: October 2004 Location: Kentucky, USA Posts: 9218
Thu September 14, 2006
Recommended? No |
Total Spent: $5.00| Rating: 4
PROS:
no bad side effects
CONS:
no effect of anxiety
It wasn't having any effect on my anxiety level no matter how much the dose was increased within safe limits. At the same time, my depression was building up since the anxiety wasn't being controlled.
bigdog1263 Member
Registered: September 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 23
Mon September 11, 2006
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $2.25| Rating: 9
PROS:
great for "putting out fires" related to anxiety
CONS:
wish it had a longer half-life
really helps with anxiety & anxiety induced mania
highly recommend
tiger78 New Member
Registered: September 2006 Location: South - USA Posts: 5
Sat September 9, 2006
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
PROS:
really works for anxiety
CONS:
too much can cause drowsiness
I agree the only med that works for anxiety and pre-panic attacks. I find that if I take 1/2 a tablet that often works to take the edge off and if it doesn't then I take the other 1/2. That also helps with the sleepiness.
niko851 Member
Registered: March 2006 Location: Noblesville, IN USA Posts: 75
Tue July 25, 2006
Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $0.08| Rating: 10
PROS:
Works quickly; keeps anxiety down for 2-3 hours per dose; only med (benzo's) that truly relieve my panic attacks either before or during the attack
CONS:
I've become dependant upon them as nothing else works; going without them causes SEVERE physical & psychological distress
I've been on Xanax for well over a decade now and it is the ONLY medication that really works for the treatment of my anxiety, panic attacks, and 'pre-panic' attacks. I've compared this to Valium and Klonopin, only to find that Xanax is truly only the one that works best for the aforementioned. I know it is a controlled substance and is addictve, but I do not care since this is what I truly need medically. The pro's by far outweigh the con's.
