What is estazolam?
Estazolam is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens).
Estazolam affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause sleep problems
(insomnia).
Estazolam is used to treat insomnia symptoms, such as trouble falling or staying asleep.
Estazolam may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What does estazolam look like?
Estazolam 2 mg-TEV
Estazolam 1 mg-IVA
Estazolam 1 mg-TEV
Estazolam 1 mg-WAT
Estazolam 2 mg-IVA
Estazolam 2 mg-WAT
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking estazolam?
Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving,
eating, or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity.
If this
happens to you, stop taking estazolam and talk with your doctor about another treatment for your sleep
disorder.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to estazolam or to other benzodiazepines, such
as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium),
lorazepam (Ativan), temazepam (Restoril), or triazolam (Halcion).
Before taking estazolam, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
-
asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disorder (COPD), or other breathing problems (also tell your doctor if you smoke);
-
glaucoma;
-
kidney or liver disease;
-
myasthenia gravis;
-
a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior; or
-
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use estazolam,
or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
Estazolam can cause birth defects in an unborn baby.
It may also
cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes estazolam late in pregnancy.
Do not use estazolam if you are pregnant.
Tell your doctor right away if you
become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this
medication.
Estazolam may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
The sedative effects of flurazepam may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common
in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you
are taking flurazepam.
Do not give this medication to anyone under 18 years old.
How should I take estazolam?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Take estazolam only when you are getting ready for several hours of sleep.
You may fall asleep very quickly after taking the medicine.
Contact your doctor if estazolam seems to stop working as well in helping you fall asleep
and stay asleep.
Estazolam should be used for only a short time to treat insomnia. After 7 to 10 nights of
use, talk with your doctor about whether or not you should keep taking estazolam. Do not take this
medication for longer than 12 weeks without your doctor's advice.
Your insomnia symptoms may return when you stop using estazolam after using it over a long
period of time. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
Estazolam may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the person it was
prescribed for
. Estazolam should never be given to another person, especially someone who
has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot
get to it.
Store estazolam at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of how many tablets have been used from each new bottle of this medicine.
Benzodiazepines are drugs of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using
this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose of estazolam?
Since estazolam is taken as needed, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule. Take
estazolam only when you have time for several hours of sleep.
Where can I get more information about estazolam?
Your pharmacist has information about estazolam written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of estazolam?
Estazolam may cause a severe allergic reaction.
Stop taking
estazolam and get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using estazolam and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side
effects:
-
weak or shallow breathing;
-
fast or pounding heartbeats;
-
confusion, slurred speech, unusual thoughts or behavior;
-
hallucinations, agitation, aggression;
-
thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
-
restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or
neck;
-
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
-
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
-
problems with urination; or
-
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
-
daytime drowsiness (or during hours when you are not normally
sleeping);
-
amnesia or forgetfulness;
-
muscle weakness, lack of balance or coordination;
-
numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling;
-
headache, blurred vision, depressed mood;
-
feeling nervous, excited, or irritable;
-
nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort; or
-
dry mouth, increased thirst.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about estazolam?
Estazolam may cause a severe allergic reaction.
Stop taking
estazolam and get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Take estazolam only when you are getting ready for several hours of sleep.
You may fall asleep very quickly after taking the medicine.
Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving,
eating, or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity.
If this
happens to you, stop taking estazolam and talk with your doctor about another treatment for your sleep
disorder.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to estazolam or to other benzodiazepines, such
as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium),
lorazepam (Ativan), temazepam (Restoril), or triazolam (Halcion).
This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby, or withdrawal
symptoms in a newborn. Do not use estazolam if you are pregnant.
Estazolam may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the person it was
prescribed for
.Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
What should I avoid while taking estazolam?
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking estazolam. It can increase some of the side
effects, and could possibly cause a fatal overdose.
Estazolam can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if
you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication,
muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused
by estazolam.
What other drugs will affect estazolam?
Before taking estazolam, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
cimetidine (Tagamet);
-
diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Tiazac);
-
antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax),
clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab), isoniazid, itraconazole (Sporanox),
ketoconazole (Nizoral), or rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater);
-
antidepressants such as fluvoxamine (Luvox) or nefazodone
(Serzone);
-
a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital
(Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal,
Solfoton);
-
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate);
-
medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as
chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), mesoridazine (Serentil), pimozide (Orap), or
thioridazine (Mellaril); or
-
seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol,
Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
estazolam. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins,
minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication
without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of estazolam?
