See Supplemental Patient Information
- Symptomatic treatment of insomnia should be initiated following a careful evaluation of the patient because sleep disturbances may be the presenting feature of a physical and/or psychiatric disorder. Failure of insomnia to remit after 7-10 days of therapy may indicate the presence of a primary psychiatric and/or medical illness that should be evaluated
- Worsening of insomnia or the emergence of new thinking or behavior abnormalities may be the consequence of an unrecognized psychiatric or physical disorder
- Use the lowest effective dose, particularly in the elderly patients, because certain important adverse effects of flurazepam appear to be dose related
- Complex behaviors including sleep-driving, preparing and eating food, making phone calls, or having sex may occur with the use of the drug at therapeutic doses. Concomitant use of alcohol or other CNS depressants with flurazepam may increase the risk of such behaviors; discontinue the drug if such events occur
- Angioedema involving the tongue, glottis or larynx and additional adverse events such as dyspnea, throat closing, or nausea and vomiting that suggest anaphylaxis may occur after taking the first or subsequent doses of flurazepam and could be fatal; do not re-challenge with the drug in patients who develop angioedema during therapy
- Patients should avoid engaging in hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness such as driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery during therapy, because of its CNS depressant effects
- Withdrawal signs and symptoms may occur following rapid reduction or abrupt discontinuation. If treatment is to be discontinued or the dose reduced after prolonged therapy, gradually taper the dose
- Use lowest effective dose in elderly and/or debilitated patients
Cautions: Use cautiously in
- Hepatic impairment
- Renal impairment
- History of alcohol or drug abuse
- Pulmonary impairment
- Severe depression
- History of seizure
- Porphyria
- CNS depression
- Sleep apnea
Supplemental Patient Information
- Caution patients that an additive effect may occur with alcohol consumption during the day following flurazepam use for nighttime sedation
- Instruct patients of childbearing potential to discontinue flurazepam prior to becoming pregnant; warn them about the potential risks to the fetus if there is a chance of the patient getting pregnant during therapy
Pregnancy Category:X
Breastfeeding: No information is available regarding flurazepam use during breastfeeding. Due to its long duration of action, an alternate hypnotic drug may be preferred while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. This information is based upon LactMed database (available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed 10 May 2011).
US Trade Name(s)
US Availability
flurazepam (generic)
Dalmane
Canadian Trade Name(s)
- Dalmane
- Novo-Flupam
- Som Pam
- Somnol
Canadian Availability
flurazepam (generic)
Dalmane, Novo-Flupam, Som Pam
Somnol
UK Trade Name(s)
UK Availability
Dalmane
Australian Trade Name(s)
Australian Availability
[Outline]
Pricing data from www.DrugStore.com in U.S.A.
- Flurazepam HCl 15 MG CAPS [Bottle] (MYLAN)
30 mg = $12.99
60 mg = $18.97 - Flurazepam HCl 30 MG CAPS [Bottle] (MYLAN)
30 mg = $13.99
60 mg = $19.97
Warning: This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.
