Overview
Restoril is the brand name for temazepam, a benzodiazepine that acts as a sedative and hypnotic. Taken before going to bed, it reduces the number of times a person wakes during the night, but does not affect the time it takes to fall asleep initially.

Why is this drug prescribed?
Restoril is a sleeping pill used as short-term therapy to treat insomnia characterized by difficulty staying asleep and waking frequently or too early.

Warnings and Precautions
Restoril’s safety and effectiveness in children has not been well studied.

Restoril’s effects as a hypnotic may interfere with mental alertness; driving or operating machinery after taking Restoril are not recommended. Restoril should only be taken before going to bed, but its effects may carry over to the next day.

Restoril is meant to be used as short-term therapy only and, like other hypnotics, it is not recommended for long-term use. When benzodiezapines such as Restoril are used for more than about 2-4 weeks, discontinuing them may cause withdrawal symptoms including abdominal and muscle cramps, convulsions, feeling of discomfort, inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, sweating, tremors, and vomiting.

When Restoril is discontinued, even after brief use, the patient may experience difficulty sleeping for one or two nights. This is not necessarily an indication that Restoril is needed again, and often clears up on its own after a few nights.

Restoril, like other benzodiezapines, may cause birth defects. Women who are or who may become pregnant should inform their physician of that fact and are advised not to take Restoril.

For Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: Restoril’s safety during pregnancy is not known, and it is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Studies indicate that benzodiezapines may cause birth defects, especially when used in the first trimester. Restoril and other benzodiezapines pass into breast milk and should not be used by breastfeeding mothers.

Contraindications
Restoril should Not be used for people with the following medical conditions:

1. Allergy or hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines.
2. Myasthenia gravis (a disease of abnormally rapid muscle fatigue)
3. Liver or kidney disease
4. A chronic breathing problem or lung disease