FLURAZEPAM belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines used for short-term treatment of severe insomnia (sleeplessness). Insomnia is a disorder of sleep that causes difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep.
FLURAZEPAM contains Flurazepam, which works by increasing the activity of GABA (a chemical messenger in the brain that acts as a natural nerve-calming agent and is involved in inducing sleep). Thereby, FLURAZEPAM relaxes muscles, reduces anxiety and helps to fall asleep.
Take FLURAZEPAM as prescribed. Your doctor will advise the duration of FLURAZEPAM based on your medical condition. The most common side effects of FLURAZEPAM include drowsiness during the day, reduced alertness, confusion, headache, tiredness, dizziness, double vision, bitter taste, muscle weakness or forgetfulness. Most of these side effects of FLURAZEPAM do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to FLURAZEPAM or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. FLURAZEPAM is not recommended for children. Avoid taking FLURAZEPAM if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Elderly patients using FLURAZEPAM should take extra care when they get up at night as there is a risk of falls and, consequently, injuries, including hip fractures. FLURAZEPAM may cause memory loss and sleepiness, might affect your concentration or make your muscles weaker. Therefore, avoid driving if you experience any of these side effects after taking FLURAZEPAM.
Insomnia (sleeplessness)
FLURAZEPAM contains Flurazepam, which increases the activity of GABA (a chemical messenger in the brain that acts as a natural nerve-calming agent and is involved in inducing sleep). Thereby, FLURAZEPAM relaxes muscles, reduces anxiety and helps to fall asleep. FLURAZEPAM decreases the time taken to fall asleep and lengthens the sleep duration. It can help overcome difficulties in getting sleep and may help if you wake up frequently in the middle of the night.
If you are allergic to FLURAZEPAM or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. FLURAZEPAM is not recommended for children. Avoid taking FLURAZEPAM if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Elderly patients using FLURAZEPAM should take extra care when they get up at night as there is a risk of falls and consequently of injuries including hip fractures. FLURAZEPAM may cause memory loss and sleepiness, might affect your concentration or make your muscles weaker. Therefore, avoid driving if you experience any of these side effects after taking FLURAZEPAM. Do not take FLURAZEPAM with opioids unless advised by your doctor, as it may cause breathing problems, drowsiness, coma and may be life-threatening.
Drug-Drug Interaction: FLURAZEPAM may interact with antibiotics (rifampicin), medicines used to treat stomach problems (cimetidine), antivirals (ritonavir), anti-allergic drugs (chlorpheniramine), medicines to treat high blood pressure, bronchodilators (theophylline, aminophylline), opioids, antidepressants, sleeping tablets, neuroleptics (antipsychotics), tranquillisers, hypnotics, or other such medicines that act on the brain and nerves, medicines used to relieve pain or anaesthetics, and anticonvulsants (phenobarbital, phenytoin).
Drug-Food Interaction: FLURAZEPAM may interact with herbal medicines such as St. John’s Wort and valerian.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Avoid taking FLURAZEPAM if you have severe breathing difficulties, lung disease, myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), sleep apnoea syndrome (temporary pauses in breathing while awake or during sleep), severe liver disease, chronic psychosis, or are suffering from a personality disorder or psychiatric illness. If you have long-term lung, liver or kidney condition, or spinal and cerebellar ataxia, inform your doctor before taking FLURAZEPAM.
Avoid alcohol consumption while using FLURAZEPAM as it may increase the risk of drowsiness.
FLURAZEPAM is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may harm the unborn baby. Therefore, if you are pregnant, please inform your doctor before taking FLURAZEPAM.
Flurazepam is excreted in human milk. Therefore, it is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers.
FLURAZEPAM may cause memory loss and sleepiness, might affect your concentration or make your muscles weaker. Therefore, avoid driving if you experience any of these side effects after taking FLURAZEPAM.
FLURAZEPAM is not recommended for patients with severe liver disease. Inform your doctor if you have any liver problems before taking FLURAZEPAM.
Inform your doctor if you have any kidney problems before taking FLURAZEPAM so that the dose may be adjusted by your doctor according to your condition.
FLURAZEPAM is not recommended for children.
Insomnia: It is a disorder of sleep that causes difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep. It may be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Acute insomnia may last from one night to a few weeks and occurs due to stress or life changes. Chronic insomnia may last from more than 3 nights per week to over 3 months. Insomnia is mostly caused by depression, stress, anxiety, jet lag, shift work, uncomfortable beds, chronic illness, caffeine, nicotine or alcohol intake or due to certain medicines.