Temazepam

Short-acting hypnotic·Neurology - Sedatives & Hypnotics

Short-term management of severe insomnia

Authority requiredPBSBENZONormison, Temaze10 mg tablet+2

Max Dose

30 mg/day

Half-life

8-15 h

Hepatic Safe

L.O.T. DRUG

Hangover

LOW RISK

Rapid Summary

Overview

Short-acting benzodiazepine hypnotic. Rapidly absorbed, directly conjugated, and cleared by morning. The quintessential sleeping pill for ward patients.

Maximum Dose

Max 30 mg/day (Normally 10 mg is sufficient).

Clinical Focus

Tolerance builds within 2 weeks. Do not prescribe chronically.

Bottom Line

Temazepam is a short-acting benzodiazepine hypnotic for insomnia, but carries high abuse potential (Schedule 8 in some jurisdictions) and should only be used short-term.

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Normison, Temaze

Oral Routes

Tablets (10 mg).

Prescribing & PBS

Authority Required (PBS).

Indications & Use

Primary

PBSTGA

Short-term management of severe insomnia.

Clinical Place

Excellent for transient ward-based insomnia where the goal is to induce sleep without leaving the patient drowsy the next day.

Quick reference

Class & Role

Short-acting hypnotic — Short-acting benzodiazepine hypnotic.

Route / Formulation

Tablets (10 mg). (Normison, Temaze)

Usual Dose & Max

PO 10-20 mg NOCTE (Take 30 mins before bed). Max 30 mg/day (Normally 10 mg is sufficient).

Key Indication Doses

Insomnia: PO 10-20 mg NOCTE (Take 30 mins before bed). Elderly / Frail: Max 10 mg NOCTE. (Higher doses risk midnight falls).

Best Uses

Temazepam is a short-acting benzodiazepine hypnotic for insomnia, but carries high abuse potential (Schedule 8 in some jurisdictions) and should only be used short-term.

Avoid / Cautions

Severe respiratory failure, severe OSA, Myasthenia Gravis. Pregnancy Category C.

Key Risks

Neurological: Sedation, amnesia, midnight confusion/falls (especially if the patient gets up to urinate). Tolerance and dependence with chronic use. Respiratory: Can exacerbate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by relaxing pharyngeal muscles.

Key Interactions

Opioids, Alcohol (Fatal respiratory arrest). No significant CYP interactions.

Monitoring

Ensure the elderly patient has a urinal or commode next to the bed. If they walk to the bathroom at 2 AM under the influence of Temazepam, they will fall and break their hip.

Clinical Pearl

Historically, Temazepam came in liquid-filled gel capsules. Heroin addicts discovered they could melt the gel and inject it, causing catastrophic limb gangrene and amputations. The gel caps were globally banned and it is now strictly tablets only.

Access

Authority requiredNormison, Temaze10 mg tablet

Brand: Normison, Temaze
PBS status: Authority required
Formulation: Tablets (10 mg)

Temazepam

Short-acting hypnotic·Neurology - Sedatives & Hypnotics

Short-term management of severe insomnia

Authority requiredPBSBENZONormison, Temaze10 mg tablet+2

Max Dose

30 mg/day

Half-life

8-15 h

Hepatic Safe

L.O.T. DRUG

Hangover

LOW RISK

Rapid Summary

Overview

Short-acting benzodiazepine hypnotic. Rapidly absorbed, directly conjugated, and cleared by morning. The quintessential sleeping pill for ward patients.

Maximum Dose

Max 30 mg/day (Normally 10 mg is sufficient).

Clinical Focus

Tolerance builds within 2 weeks. Do not prescribe chronically.

Bottom Line

Temazepam is a short-acting benzodiazepine hypnotic for insomnia, but carries high abuse potential (Schedule 8 in some jurisdictions) and should only be used short-term.

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Normison, Temaze

Oral Routes

Tablets (10 mg).

Prescribing & PBS

Authority Required (PBS).

Indications & Use

Primary

PBSTGA

Short-term management of severe insomnia.

Clinical Place

Excellent for transient ward-based insomnia where the goal is to induce sleep without leaving the patient drowsy the next day.

Quick reference

Class & Role

Short-acting hypnotic — Short-acting benzodiazepine hypnotic.

Route / Formulation

Tablets (10 mg). (Normison, Temaze)

Usual Dose & Max

PO 10-20 mg NOCTE (Take 30 mins before bed). Max 30 mg/day (Normally 10 mg is sufficient).

Key Indication Doses

Insomnia: PO 10-20 mg NOCTE (Take 30 mins before bed). Elderly / Frail: Max 10 mg NOCTE. (Higher doses risk midnight falls).

Best Uses

Temazepam is a short-acting benzodiazepine hypnotic for insomnia, but carries high abuse potential (Schedule 8 in some jurisdictions) and should only be used short-term.

Avoid / Cautions

Severe respiratory failure, severe OSA, Myasthenia Gravis. Pregnancy Category C.

Key Risks

Key Interactions

Opioids, Alcohol (Fatal respiratory arrest). No significant CYP interactions.

Monitoring

Ensure the elderly patient has a urinal or commode next to the bed. If they walk to the bathroom at 2 AM under the influence of Temazepam, they will fall and break their hip.

Clinical Pearl

Access

Authority requiredNormison, Temaze10 mg tablet

Brand: Normison, Temaze
PBS status: Authority required
Formulation: Tablets (10 mg)