spec sheet11 rows
Temazepam is a prescription benzodiazepine used mainly as a hypnotic (sleep aid) for short-term insomnia. It's an intermediate-acting agent that's a metabolite of diazepam, so it works through the standard GABA-A mechanism. Its risks are the usual class ones; dependence with continued use, and severe respiratory depression when combined with opioids or alcohol.
- Helps initiate sleep
- Anxiety relief
- Fewer lingering active metabolites than some benzos
- Memory problems
- Dependence and rebound insomnia
Mechanism
Temazepam is a positive modulator at the benzodiazepine site of the -A receptor. It increases the frequency of chloride channel opening triggered by GABA (the brain's main calming neurotransmitter), enhancing inhibition throughout the central nervous system. This produces sedation and sleep onset, along with anxiolytic, muscle-relaxant, and anticonvulsant effects. It's one of the active metabolites of diazepam and is itself cleared without producing long-lived active metabolites.
receptor fingerprint
-A receptor (benzodiazepine site)Positive allosteric modulator
Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
Combined with opioids, alcohol, or other sedatives, temazepam can cause fatal respiratory depression. Regular nightly use leads to tolerance, rebound insomnia, and physical dependence, and abrupt discontinuation can provoke withdrawal seizures, so it's meant for short-term use and tapering. Older adults face higher risks of falls and confusion. Not medical advice.
Interactionsdocumented pairs only, not exhaustive
The dangerous interaction is with opioids. Benzodiazepines and opioids depress respiration by different mechanisms and the combination is worse than additive, which is why temazepam carries a boxed warning about it. Alcohol, sedating antihistamines, gabapentinoids, barbiturates and sedating antipsychotics stack the same way: more sedation, less respiratory drive, and in older people more falls.
Metabolically temazepam is unusually clean. It is conjugated straight to a glucuronide rather than being oxidized by CYP3A4 or CYP2C19, so the interactions that complicate diazepam, midazolam and triazolam largely do not apply, and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors leave it alone. Probenecid inhibits glucuronidation and prolongs its effect; rifampin induces the conjugating enzymes and shortens it.
Older labeling records a cluster of intrauterine fetal deaths reported when temazepam was taken with diphenhydramine. The association has never been confirmed and no mechanism was established, but it persists in the product information.
Checking a whole stack? Run it through interactions + stacks.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
A reasonable short-term hypnotic when a doctor prescribes it, and a poor long-term plan. Nightly use brings tolerance, rebound insomnia and dependence, stopping abruptly can cause withdrawal seizures, and mixed with opioids or alcohol it can be fatal. Older adults face real fall and confusion risk on top.
Resources
No suppliers are provided for compounds like this. This entry is here for reference.
Research
- 1.Temazepam or Melatonin Versus Placebo for the Treatment of Insomnia in Advanced Cancer: A Three-Arm, Double-Blind, Phase III, Multicenter, Randomized Clinical Trial
- 2.Withdrawal from long-term use of zopiclone, zolpidem and temazepam may improve perceived sleep and quality of life in older adults with primary insomnia
2 listed here; entry last updated July 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
What is temazepam used for?
Mainly short-term treatment of insomnia; it's an intermediate-acting hypnotic benzodiazepine.
Is it addictive?
Yes. Regular use builds tolerance and physical dependence, and stopping abruptly can cause rebound insomnia and withdrawal, including seizures.
Why is combining it with other depressants risky?
Benzodiazepines plus opioids or alcohol multiply respiratory depression, which can be fatal.
Adverse effects
- Memory problems
- Dependence and rebound insomnia
Notes and cautions
- Morning grogginess
- Fall risk in older adults