LoginTemtabs
Generic Name: temazepam
Product Name: Temtabs
Indication: What Temtabs is used for
Temtabs is used to treat sleeping problems, also called insomnia.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
In general, benzodiazepines such as Temtabs should be taken for short periods only (for example 2 to 4 weeks). Continuous long-term use is not recommended unless advised by your doctor. The use of benzodiazepines may lead to dependence on the medicine.
This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
Action: How Temtabs works
Temtabs contains the active ingredient temazepam, a benzodiazepine. It is thought to work by acting on the brain chemicals.
Temtabs hastens the onset of sleep and increases total sleeping time in short-term use.
The exact mechanism of action of benzodiazepines has not yet been elucidated; however, benzodiazepines appear to work through several mechanisms. Benzodiazepines presumably exert their effects by binding to specific receptors at several sites within the central nervous system either by potentiating the effects of synaptic or pre-synaptic inhibition mediated by gamma-aminobutyric acid or by directly affecting the action potential generating mechanisms.
Each Temtabs 10 mg tablet contains 10 mg temazepam as the active ingredient.
They also contain lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, maize starch, and magnesium stearate.
The colouring agent is sunset yellow FCF aluminium lake.
Temtabs tablets do not contain gluten, sucrose, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
Dose advice: How to use Temtabs
Before you take it
When you must not take it
Do not take Temtabs if you are allergic to:
- Temazepam or any other benzodiazepine medicines;
- Any of the ingredients listed here.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itching or hives; swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing; wheezing or shortness of breath.
Do not take Temtabs if you have:
- Severe and chronic lung disease or breathing difficulties;
- Sleep apnoea.
Do not take this medicine if the packaging shows signs of tampering or the tablets do not look quite right.
Do not take it if the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
Temtabs is not recommended for use in children under 16 years of age, as its safety and effectiveness have not been established in this age group.
Before you take it
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Like other benzodiazepine medicines, Temtabs may cause unwanted effects in the newborn baby if used during pregnancy. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking it during pregnancy.
Tell your doctor you are breastfeeding or wish to breastfeed. This medicine may pass into breast milk and cause drowsiness and feeding difficulties in the baby. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking it when breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions, especially the following:
- Liver, kidney or lung problems;
- Epilepsy fits or convulsions;
- Severe muscle weakness known as myasthenia gravis;
- Low blood pressure;
- Any blood disorder;
- Glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye);
- Depression, psychosis or schizophrenia;
- Drug or alcohol dependence or a past history of these problems.
Your doctor may want to take special care if you have any of these conditions.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol regularly. Alcohol may increase the effects of this medicine.
Tell your doctor if you plan to have surgery.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you take any Temtabs.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with Temtabs. These include:
- Other sleeping tablets, sedatives or tranquillisers;
- Medicines for depression, schizophrenia and other mental illnesses;
- Medicines to treat epilepsy and fits;
- Medicines for allergies, for example, antihistamines or cold tablets;
- Medicines used to treat Parkinson’s disease;
- Theophylline, a medicine used to treat asthma;
- Muscle relaxants;
- Some pain relievers.
Your doctor can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure whether you are taking any of these medicines.
Your doctor or pharmacist will have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Temtabs.
How to take it
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained here.
How much to take
The dose of Temtabs varies from patient to patient.
The usual starting dose is one 10 mg tablet each night. Your doctor will tell you how many tablets you need to take each day and when to take them. This depends on your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.
Elderly people over 65 years of age may need smaller doses.
How to take it
Swallow your tablets with a glass of water.
They can be taken with or without food.
How long to take it
Take Temtabs only for as long as your doctor recommends.
This treatment is usually used for short periods only (such as 2 to 4 weeks). Continuous long term use is not recommended unless advised by your doctor. The use of benzodiazepines may lead to dependence on the medicine.
If you forget to take it
If you forget to take this medicine before you go to bed and you wake up late in the night or early in the morning, do not take a dose as you may have trouble waking in the morning.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed. This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
If you are unsure about whether to take your next dose, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26), or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Temtabs. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
If you take too much you may feel drowsy, confused, tired, dizzy, have difficulty breathing, feel weak or become unconscious.
While you are taking it
Things you must do
Take Temtabs exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking this medicine.
If you become pregnant while you are taking it, tell your doctor immediately.
Visit your doctor regularly so they can check on your progress. Your doctor will check your condition to see whether you should continue to take Temtabs.
Tell your doctor if you feel it is not helping your condition.
If you have to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are taking Temtabs. It may affect the results of some tests.
Keep enough medicine to last weekends and holidays.
Things you must not do
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Temtabs affects you. This medicine may cause drowsiness or dizziness in some people. Even though you take it at night, you may still be drowsy or dizzy the next day. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are drowsy, dizzy or not alert.
Do not take Temtabs for a longer time than your doctor has prescribed.
Do not stop taking it or change the dose, without first checking with your doctor.
Stopping suddenly may cause some unwanted effects. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount of Temtabs you are taking before stopping completely. This may help reduce the possibility of unwanted side effects.
Do not use this medicine to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give it to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Things to be careful of
Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking Temtabs. Combining Temtabs and alcohol can make you more sleepy, dizzy or light-headed or increase the risk of sleepwalking and some other related sleep behaviours which may include sleep-driving, making phone calls, or preparing and eating food while asleep.
Your doctor may suggest that you avoid alcohol or reduce the amount of alcohol you drink while you are taking Temtabs.
Be careful if you are elderly, unwell or taking other medicines.
Some people may experience side effects such as drowsiness, confusion, dizziness and unsteadiness, which may increase the risk of a fall.
After taking it
Storage
Keep your tablets in their blister pack until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets out of the blister pack they may not keep well.
Keep Temtabs in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.
Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it in the car or on window sills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking Temtabs or the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets left over.
Schedule of Temtabs
Temtabs is a Schedule 4 medicine (prescription only).
Side effects of Temtabs
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Temtabs. Like all other medicines, it may have unwanted side effects in some people. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- Dizziness, drowsiness, feeling tired;
- Light-headedness or feeling faint;
- Headache;
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dry mouth;
- Unpleasant dreams;
- Slurred speech;
- Blurred vision;
- Tingling or numbness of the hands or feet;
- Change in libido or sex drive.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
- Confusion, loss of memory, disorientation;
- Behavioural or mood changes such as sudden outbursts of anger and increased excitement;
- Signs of frequent infections such as fever, chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers;
- Yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice);
- Dark coloured urine.
The above list includes serious side effects which may require medical attention.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:
- Fainting;
- Hallucinations;
- Any type of skin rashes, itching or hives;
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing;
- Wheezing or shortness of breath.
The side effects listed above are serious and require urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell. Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.
For further information talk to your doctor.
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