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Uses

What is flurazepam used for?

Flurazepam is commonly used to treat certain types of a sleep problem called insomnia, which can include symptoms like trouble falling asleep and waking up often during the night.

Flurazepam may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does flurazepam work (mechanism of action)?

Flurazepam produces a calming effect on the brain and nerves, which helps you fall asleep and stay asleep.

How is flurazepam supplied (dosage forms)?

Flurazepam is available in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.

  • 15 mg oral capsules
  • 30 mg oral capsules

How should I store flurazepam?

Flurazepam should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of flurazepam?

The most common side effects of flurazepam are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Dizziness
  • Feeling lightheaded
  • Trouble with balance or coordination
  • Drowsiness
  • Staggering
  • Falling

There may be other side effects of flurazepam that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of flurazepam?

While less common, the most serious side effects of flurazepam are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Flurazepam may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking flurazepam and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Suicidal Thoughts and Actions. Flurazepam may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of people. If you are about to harm yourself, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • New or increased thoughts of suicide or death
  • Suicide attempt
  • New or increased feelings of anxiety, depression, or other unusual changes in mood or behavior 

Risk of Misuse and Addiction. Misusing flurazepam can lead to serious side effects like coma or death. Misuse means taking a medicine in a way other than how it was prescribed. Take flurazepam exactly as prescribed. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel that flurazepam is not working. Call your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience any of the following serious symptoms.

  • Sudden confusion or feeling disoriented
  • Feeling paranoid
  • Suicidal thoughts or actions
  • Seizures
  • Trouble breathing

Dependence and Withdrawal Reactions. Flurazepam can cause physical dependence, which means your body relies on the medicine to function properly. If you stop flurazepam suddenly, it could lead to withdrawal symptoms, which may be life-threatening. Do not stop taking flurazepam without talking with your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will tell you how to flurazepam to reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions. Call your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience any of the following serious symptoms.

  • Unusual movements, responses, or expressions
  • Seizures
  • Sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes
  • Seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear, also called hallucinations
  • An extreme increase in activity or talking
  • Losing touch with reality

Risk With Opioid Medicines. Taking flurazepam with an opioid medicine, such as codeine, morphine, and oxycodone, may lead to severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma, and death. Get emergency help right away if you experience the following symptoms.

  • Slow or shallow breathing
  • Breathing stops (which may lead to the heart stopping)
  • Excessive sleepiness or trouble staying awake 

Some people may experience the following symptoms of a withdrawal reaction that can last for several weeks to more than 12 months.

  • Anxiety
  • Trouble remembering, learning, or concentrating
  • Depression
  • Problems sleeping
  • Feeling like insects are crawling under the skin
  • Weakness
  • Shaking
  • Muscle twitching
  • Burning or prickling feeling in the hands, arms, legs, or feet
  • Ringing in the ears

Decreased Alertness or Coordination. Flurazepam can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how flurazepam affects you.

Activities While Not Fully Awake. Flurazepam may cause you to get out of bed and do an activity you do not know you are doing. The next morning, you may not remember doing anything. Some people taking flurazepam reported doing the following activities they did not remember doing.

  • Driving a car, also called “sleep driving”
  • Making and eating food
  • Talking on the phone
  • Having sex
  • Sleep-walking

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use flurazepam?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take flurazepam.

  • Flurazepam
  • Dalmane
  • Any other medicine known as a benzodiazepine
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific flurazepam products they stock.

What should I know about flurazepam before using it?

Do not take flurazepam unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share flurazepam with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep flurazepam out of the reach of children. Flurazepam is a controlled substance because it can be misused or lead to dependence. Store flurazepam in a safe place to protect it from theft. It is illegal to sell or give away this medicine.

People who are 65 years and older can be at greater risk for some side effects of flurazepam, including dizziness, drowsiness, feeling lightheaded, staggering, trouble with balance or coordination, and falling with flurazepam. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

Flurazepam can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how flurazepam affects you.

You may still feel drowsy the next day after taking flurazepam. Do not drive or do other dangerous activities after taking flurazepam until you feel fully awake.

Call your healthcare provider if your insomnia worsens or is not better within 7 to 10 days of taking flurazepam. This may mean that there is another condition causing your sleep problem.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using flurazepam?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if flurazepam is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Mental Health Problems. Tell your healthcare provider about your recent and current mental health problems, especially if you have had depression, thoughts of suicide or dying, or have ever attempted suicide.

Substance Use Disorder. Flurazepam is a controlled substance and may be misused or lead to dependence. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of a drug or alcohol disorder. 

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Flurazepam may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using flurazepam, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section below for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how flurazepam could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Taking flurazepam during the later stages of pregnancy can cause withdrawal and the following symptoms in newborns.

  • Breathing problems
  • Sluggish
  • Low muscle tone
  • Jittery
  • Fussiness or irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Shaking
  • Excessive crying
  • Feeding problems

Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take flurazepam while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. If you become pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications. This registry collects information about the safety of psychiatric medicines during pregnancy. You can register by calling 866-961-2388 or online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/pregnancyregistry/.

Breastfeeding. Do not take flurazepam while you are breastfeeding. It is not known if flurazepam passes into breast milk.  Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does flurazepam interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between flurazepam and foods or drinks.

Do not drink alcohol while taking flurazepam. The risk of serious problems such as severe dizziness, sleepiness, and trouble breathing may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking flurazepam.

Does flurazepam interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. 

In particular, make sure to discuss if you are using any of the following before taking flurazepam.

  • An opioid, such as oxycodone, morphine, codeine, or fentanyl, which is a medicine used for certain types of pain
  • Any other medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, and medicines for anxiety
  • Flumazenil (Romazicon), which is a medicine used to manage benzodiazepine overdose

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with flurazepam. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much flurazepam?

If you or someone else has used too much flurazepam, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of flurazepam?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.