Transcript: “Restoril is the brand name for temazepam, a sedative approved by the FDA in 1981.”Temazepam is a prescription medication available both as a generic drug and under the brand name Restoril. Temazepam is a sedative hypnotic of the benzodiazepine family.  Here’s how temazepam works: GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the brain. When temazepam enters the brain, it binds to a receptor on GABA, creating a powerful sedative effect which induces sleep. Temazepam is used almost exclusively to treat insomnia for short periods of time, usually over a span of no longer than ten days. This medication is especially effective at decreasing the number of nightly awakenings.  Restoril is available in capsules of seven point five to thirty milligrams.This medication should be taken at bedtime to induce rapid onset of sleep. Because temazepam can be highly addictive, it is important not to take extra doses.  The most common side effects of temazepam include drowsiness, dizziness and poor motor coordination, but you should ask a doctor for a complete list.Also, be sure to tell your physician immediately if you experience labored breathing, severe confusion or any other significant changes. Temazepam should be avoided by pregnant women and should be used cautiously in conjunction with Itraconazole. Ask your doctor for a full list of medications and conditions that should not be combined with temazepam. Restoril can be helpful for patients who have short-term difficulty sleeping. However, the medication should always be used under the direct care of a physician. Please ask for and review all of the information provided by your doctor before taking this medication.  “The information in this video is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise of your physician. Always consult your doctor before using this drug.”