Temazepam

Fatal overdose may occur when benzodiazepines are combined with other depressants such as opiates, barbiturates, gabapentinoids, thienodiazepines, alcohol or other GABAergic substances.

It is strongly discouraged to combine these substances, particularly in common to heavy doses.

Summary sheet: Temazepam

Temazepam
Chemical Nomenclature
Common names	Temazepam, Restoril, Normison
Substitutive name	Temazepam
Systematic name	7-Chloro-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-1-methyl-5-phenyl-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one
Class Membership
Psychoactive class	Depressant
Chemical class	Benzodiazepine
Routes of Administration
WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section. ⇣ Oral Dosage Bioavailability 96% Threshold 1 mg Light 5 - 10 mg Common 10 - 25 mg Strong 25 - 40 mg Heavy 40 mg + Duration Total 6 - 10 hours Onset 20 - 90 minutes After effects 6 - 12 hour DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is gathered from users and resources for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy.
Interactions

Temazepam (trade name Restoril) is a intermediate-acting psychoactive substance of the benzodiazepine class which produces anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant, and amnesic effects. Temazepam, like other benzodiazepines, binds to specific sites on the GABA_A gamma-amino-butyric acid receptor. Temazepam is commonly used for the short term treatment of insomnia and as a preoperative sedative. Temazepam has a fast onset of action and symptomatic relief. The hypnotic effects take between 20-90 minutes to take effect. Temazepam is effective for both inducing sleep and for maintaining sleep.

It's worth noting that the sudden discontinuation of benzodiazepines can be potentially dangerous or life-threatening for individuals using regularly for extended periods of time, sometimes resulting in seizures or death. It is highly recommended to taper one's dose by gradually lowering the amount taken each day for a prolonged period of time instead of stopping abruptly.

Contents

Chemistry

Temazepam is a drug of the benzodiazepine class. Benzodiazepine drugs contain a benzene ring fused to a diazepine ring, which is a seven membered ring with the two nitrogen constituents located at R₁ and R₄. The benzyl ring of temazepam is substituted at R₈ with a chlorine group. Further, the diazepine ring is bonded at R₅ to a phenyl ring. Temazepam also has a hydroxyl group bonded to the 3-position of the diazepine ring.

Pharmacology

Benzodiazepines produce a variety of effects by binding to the benzodiazepine receptor site and magnifying the efficiency and effects of the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) by acting on its receptors. As this site is the most prolific inhibitory receptor set within the brain, its modulation results in the sedating (or calming effects) of temazepam on the nervous system. When temazepam binds to the GABA_A receptor, it causes the Cl^- ion pore to open more frequently.

The anticonvulsant properties of benzodiazepines may be, in part or entirely, due to binding to voltage-dependent sodium channels rather than benzodiazepine receptors.

Subjective effects

Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), a literature which relies on collected anecdotal reports and the personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. As a result, they should be taken with a healthy amount of skepticism. It is worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a consistent or reliable manner, although higher doses (common+) are more likely to induce the full spectrum of reported effects. Likewise, adverse effects become much more likely with higher doses and may include serious injury or death.

Physical effects

• • Sedation - In terms of energy level alterations, this drug has the potential to be extremely sedating and often results in an overwhelmingly lethargic state. At higher levels, this causes users to suddenly feel as if they are extremely sleep deprived and have not slept for days, forcing them to sit down and generally feel as if they are constantly on the verge of passing out instead of engaging in physical activities. This sense of sleep deprivation increases proportional to dosage and eventually becomes powerful enough to force a person into complete unconsciousness.
  • Dizziness
  • Muscle relaxation
  • Motor control loss
  • Respiratory depression
  • Seizure suppression
  • Decreased heart rate
  • Perception of bodily heaviness - Temazepam is known to cause feelings of heaviness in the body. This effect can range from motor impairment and difficulty moving at lower doses to complete lethargy or inability to stand up or move at high doses.
  • Physical euphoria - The euphoria felt on temazepam is significantly stronger than that felt on other benzodiazepines such as alprazolam.

Paradoxical effects

• Paradoxical reactions to benzodiazepines such as increased seizures (in epileptics), aggression, increased anxiety, violent behavior, loss of impulse control, irritability and suicidal behavior sometimes occur (although they are rare in the general population, with an incidence rate below 1%). These paradoxical effects occur with greater frequency in recreational abusers, individuals with mental disorders, children, and patients on high-dosage regimes.

Cognitive effects

• The cognitive effects of temazepam can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. The general head space of temazepam is described by many as one of intense sedation, relaxation, anxiety suppression and decreased inhibition. It contains a large number of typical depressant cognitive effects. The most prominent of these cognitive effects generally include:
  • Amnesia
  • Cognitive euphoria - The euphoria felt on temazepam is significantly stronger than that felt on other benzodiazepines such as alprazolam.
  • Anxiety suppression
  • Thought deceleration
  • Analysis suppression
  • Disinhibition
  • Compulsive redosing
  • Emotion suppression - Although this compound primarily suppresses anxiety, it also dulls other emotions in a manner which is distinct but less intensive than that of antipsychotics.
  • Delusions of sobriety - This is the false belief that one is perfectly sober despite obvious evidence to the contrary such as severe cognitive impairment and an inability to fully communicate with others. It most commonly occurs at heavy dosages.
  • Memory suppression - Temazepam primarily suppresses short-term memory, resulting in forgetfulness, and/or disorganized behaviors.
  • Confusion - At heavy doses, temazepam can cause confusion. This effect is a result of the drug suppressing basic cognitive functions at heavy doses, such as comprehension, memory, and reasoning skills.
  • Motivation suppression - Due to temazepam's heavy sedation and lethargy, doing any type of activity that requires moving, or high amounts of effort may be difficult to do on this compound, especially at higher doses.
  • Language suppression - Temazepam is known to cause slurred speech and difficulty communicating words in a clear fashion.
  • Dream potentiation

Experience reports

There are currently no anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our experience index. Additional experience reports can be found here:

• Erowid Experience Vaults: Temazepam

Toxicity and harm potential

Radar plot showing relative physical harm, social harm, and dependence of benzodiazepines in comparison to other drugs.

Temazepam has a low toxicity relative to dose. However, it is potentially lethal when mixed with depressants like alcohol or opioids.

It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this substances. These include volumetric liquid dosing.

Dependence and abuse potential

This toxicity and harm potential section is a stub. As such, it may contain incomplete or even dangerously wrong information. You can help by expanding or correcting it. We also recommend that you conduct independent research and use harm reduction practices when using this substance.

Temazepam is extremely physically and psychologically addictive. Temazepam is considered to be significantly more addictive than other benzodiazepines.

Tolerance will develop to the sedative-hypnotic effects within a couple of days of continuous use. After cessation, the tolerance returns to baseline in 7-14 days. However, in certain cases this may take significantly longer in a manner which is proportional to the duration and intensity of one's long-term usage.

Withdrawal symptoms or rebound symptoms may occur after ceasing usage abruptly following a few weeks or longer of steady dosing, and may necessitate a gradual dose reduction. For more information on tapering from benzodiazepines in a controlled manner, please see this guide.

Benzodiazepine discontinuation is notoriously difficult; it is potentially life-threatening for individuals using regularly to discontinue use without tapering their dose over a period of weeks. There is an increased risk of hypertension, seizures, and death. Drugs which lower the seizure threshold such as tramadol should be avoided during withdrawal.

Temazepam presents cross-tolerance with all benzodiazepines, meaning that after its consumption all benzodiazepines will have a reduced effect. Temazepam also has cross-tolerance with all barbiturates, meaning that after consumption, all barbiturates will have a diminished effect.

Overdose

Benzodiazepine overdose may occur when a benzodiazepine is taken in extremely heavy quantities or concurrently with other depressants. This is particularly dangerous with other GABAergic depressants such as barbiturates and alcohol since they work in a similar fashion, but bind to distinct allosteric sites on the GABA_A receptor, thus their effects potentiate one another. Benzodiazepines increase the frequency in which the chlorine ion pore opens on the GABA_A receptor while barbiturates increase the duration in which they are open, meaning when both are consumed, the ion pore will open more frequently and stay open longer. Benzodiazepine overdose is a medical emergency that may lead to a coma, permanent brain injury or death if not treated promptly and properly.

Symptoms of a benzodiazepine overdose may include severe thought deceleration, slurred speech, confusion, delusions, respiratory depression, coma or death. Benzodiazepine overdoses may be treated effectively in a hospital environment, with generally favorable outcomes. Benzodiazepine overdoses are sometimes treated with flumazenil, a GABA_A antagonist, however care is primarily supportive in nature.

Dangerous interactions

Although many drugs are safe on their own, they can become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with other substances. The list below contains some common potentially dangerous combinations, but may not include all of them. Certain combinations may be safe in low doses of each but still increase the potential risk of death. Independent research should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption.

• Depressants (1,4-Butanediol, 2-methyl-2-butanol, alcohol, barbiturates, GHB/GBL, methaqualone, opioids) - This combination can result in dangerous or even fatal levels of respiratory depression. These substances potentiate the muscle relaxation, sedation and amnesia caused by one another and can lead to unexpected loss of consciousness at high doses. There is also an increased risk of vomiting during unconsciousness and death from the resulting suffocation. If this occurs, users should attempt to fall asleep in the recovery position or have a friend move them into it.
• Dissociatives - This combination can result in an increased risk of vomiting during unconsciousness and death from the resulting suffocation. If this occurs, users should attempt to fall asleep in the recovery position or have a friend move them into it.
• Stimulants - It is dangerous to combine benzodiazepines with stimulants due to the risk of excessive intoxication. Stimulants decrease the sedative effect of benzodiazepines, which is the main factor most people consider when determining their level of intoxication. Once the stimulant wears off, the effects of benzodiazepines will be significantly increased, leading to intensified disinhibition as well as other effects. If combined, one should strictly limit themselves to only dosing a certain amount of benzodiazepines per hour. This combination can also potentially result in severe dehydration if hydration is not monitored.

Legal status

Internationally, Temazepam is included under the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances as a Schedule IV substance.

• Australia: Temazepam is listed in Schedule 4, making it a prescription only medicine.
• Austria: Temazepam is legal for medical use under the AMG (Arzneimittelgesetz Österreich) and illegal when sold or possessed without a prescription under the SMG (Suchtmittelgesetz Österreich).
• Canada: Temazepam is listed on the CSDA in Schedule IV. It requires a prescription.
• Germany: Temazepam is controlled under Anlage III BtMG (Narcotics Act, Schedule III) as of August 1, 1986. It can only be prescribed on a narcotic prescription form, except preparations which contain up to 20 mg temazepam in each dosage form.
• Hong Kong: Temazepam is listed in Schedule 1.
• Ireland: Temazepam is listed in Schedule 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 as of November 22, 1993.
• The Netherlands: In the Netherlands, temazepam is a List 2 substance of the Opium Law and is available with a prescription.
• Portugal: Temazepam is a Schedule IV controlled substance.
• Russia: Temazepam is a Schedule III controlled substance since 2013.
• South Africa: Temazepam is a Schedule 5 controlled substance.
• Sweden: Temazepam is a prescription drug in List IV (Schedule 4) under the Narcotics Drugs Act (1968).
• Switzerland: Temazepam is a controlled substance specifically named under Verzeichnis B. Medicinal use is permitted.
• Thailand: Temazepam is listed in Schedule II of the Psychotropic Substances Act.
• United Kingdom: Temazepam is a Class C controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.. Medical professions must follow specific instructions for the prescribing and disposal of temazepam.
• United States: Temazepam is a prescription medication assigned to Schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act by the DEA. Many states in the United States require that individuals have specially encoded prescriptions for temazepam.

See also

• Responsible use
• Psychoactive substance index
• Entactogens
• Alcohol
• Benzodiazepines
• Depressants

External links

• Temazepam (Wikipedia)
• Temazepam (Erowid Vault)
• Temazepam (Isomer Design)