Temazepam

Temazepam

Clinical data
Trade names	Restoril, Normison, Nortem
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
MedlinePlus	a684003
Pregnancy category	AU: C US: X (Contraindicated)
Dependence liability	High
Routes of administration	Oral
ATC code	N05CD07 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	AU: S4 (Prescription only) CA: Schedule IV DE: Anlage III (Prescription only) UK: Class C US: Schedule IV UN: Psychotropic Schedule IV
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	96%
Metabolism	Hepatic
Biological half-life	8–20 hours
Excretion	Renal
Identifiers
IUPAC name 7-Chloro-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-1-methyl-5-phenyl-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one
CAS Number	846-50-4 Y
PubChem CID	5391
IUPHAR/BPS	7300
DrugBank	DB00231 N
ChemSpider	5198 Y
UNII	CHB1QD2QSS
KEGG	D00370 Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL967 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.011.535
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C16H13ClN2O2
Molar mass	300.7 g/mol
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
SMILES CN1C2=C(C(C3=CC=CC=C3)=NC(O)C1=O)C=C(Cl)C=C2
InChI InChI=1S/C16H13ClN2O2/c1-19-13-8-7-11(17)9-12(13)14(18-15(20)16(19)21)10-5-3-2-4-6-10/h2-9,15,20H,1H3 Y Key:SEQDDYPDSLOBDC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
NY (what is this?)

Temazepam (brand names Restoril and Normison, among others) is an intermediate-acting 3-hydroxy hypnotic of the benzodiazepine class of psychoactive drugs. It is the 3-hydroxy analogue of diazepam, and one of diazepam's primary active metabolites. Temazepam is approved for the short-term treatment of insomnia. In addition, temazepam has anxiolytic (antianxiety), anticonvulsant, and skeletal muscle relaxant properties.

Temazepam was patented in 1965 and went on sale in the United States in 1981.

In sleep laboratory studies, temazepam significantly decreased the number of nightly awakenings, but has the drawback of distorting the normal sleep pattern. It is officially indicated for severe insomnia and other severe or disabling sleep disorders. The prescribing guidelines in the UK limit the prescribing of hypnotics to two to four weeks due to concerns of tolerance and dependence.

The United States Air Force uses temazepam as one of the hypnotics approved as a "no-go pill" to help aviators and special-duty personnel sleep in support of mission readiness. "Ground tests" are necessary prior to required authorization being issued to use the medication in an operational situation, and a 12-hour restriction is imposed on subsequent flight operation. The other hypnotics used as "no-go pills" are zaleplon and zolpidem, which have shorter mandatory recovery periods.

Use of temazepam should be avoided, when possible, in individuals with these conditions: