thoughtscape NP Psychiatry · Patient education
Flurazepam
Former US brand: Dalmane
A sleep medicine with effects that can last well beyond bedtime. A clear review and stopping plan matters.
Draft for review · Clinical content has not been revalidated for this website.
Take only your prescribed bedtime dose. Never add a second dose during the night.
What it is used for
Flurazepam can help with falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early. Short-term treatment is usually enough; ongoing use needs regular review.
For continuing insomnia, ask about CBT-I: structured therapy for sleep-related thoughts and habits. Sleep tips alone are not the same treatment.
How it works
It strengthens GABA, a brain chemical that slows nerve signals. This can promote sleep, but also affects memory, thinking, and balance.
An active breakdown product stays in the body for a long time. It can build up with nightly use and cause impairment for days after stopping.
What to expect over time
FIRST NIGHTS
Benefit may be clearer on nights two or three.
OVER THE WEEK
Watch for increasing grogginess or unsteadiness.
BY 7-10 DAYS
Call if sleep is no better; call sooner if worse.
Taking your medication
Take it right before bed, only when you can stay in bed for seven to eight hours before activity. Use exactly the dose on your prescription.
Do not take extra capsules or another sleep aid because you are still awake. Ask your pharmacist before opening a capsule or changing how you take it.
Do not stop or reduce regular use suddenly. Ask for a written stop or taper plan and contact your team before running out. Never share capsules.
When to get help
Call 911: slow or difficult breathing, collapse, inability to wake, a seizure, or tongue/throat swelling with trouble breathing.
Contact your team immediately: sleep-driving, sleepwalking, or other activities you cannot remember. Get advice before the next dose; regular use may need a supervised stop plan.
Get urgent help: suicidal thoughts, severe confusion, hallucinations, or chest pain. Call 911 for immediate danger. Report yellow skin/eyes or fever with a severe sore throat promptly.
Early side effects
Drowsiness, dizziness, morning grogginess, headache, stomach upset, weakness, and poor coordination can occur.
Other effects to discuss
Report falls, memory gaps, unusual agitation, or worsening daytime function. Do not drive or do hazardous work while impaired.
What to keep track of
Keep a sleep and next-day alertness record. Watch for effects that build over several nights. Some people need blood counts or liver tests because of their health history or other medicines. Keep follow-up visits even if sleep improves.
Before you start
Tell your team about sleepwalking or sleep-driving, loud snoring, or breathing pauses, lung disease, falls, memory problems, glaucoma, liver or kidney disease, depression, and prior withdrawal. Share all medicines, supplements, alcohol, and other substance use. Discuss pregnancy or breastfeeding promptly: late exposure can affect a newborn, and breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment. Do not abruptly stop regular use yourself.
Medicines & interactions
Alcohol & opioids
Avoid alcohol. Opioids can dangerously add to breathing suppression. Ask about naloxone if opioids are involved; it does not reverse flurazepam itself. Do not stop methadone or buprenorphine yourself.
Sleep & allergy aids
Other sleep medicines, sedating allergy remedies, muscle relaxants, and some seizure medicines add impairment. Check all OTC sleep and cold products before taking them.
Other medicines
Cimetidine may slow clearance. Check supplements, including kava, and tell your pharmacist before starting or stopping any prescription or nonprescription medicine.
After the last dose
Interactions and impairment may persist for several days. Do not assume alcohol, driving, or a new sedative is safe just because you stopped flurazepam.
Everyday tips
Ask about CBT-I for recurring insomnia.
Keep a consistent wake time and calming routine.
Review caffeine, naps, and nighttime distractions.
Address snoring, pain, restless legs, or mood symptoms.
Your questions, answered
What if I miss bedtime?
Take a missed bedtime dose only if your prescription allows it and a full seven to eight hours remain for sleep. Otherwise skip it. Never double or add a second dose overnight.
Why am I groggier after several nights?
The active breakdown product builds up. Contact your team rather than changing doses yourself. Feeling used to sleepiness does not mean your memory or coordination are unaffected.
Does dependence mean addiction?
No. Physical dependence means your body has adapted; it can happen during prescribed use. Addiction is a different pattern, such as loss of control or use despite harm. Both deserve care without blame.
Can stopping suddenly cause problems?
Yes. Withdrawal can include severe anxiety, shaking, confusion, or seizures. A gradual plan is safer after regular use. Symptoms can last longer than a few nights; keep your team informed.
Storage & safety
Keep capsules in their original tightly closed container at room temperature, away from light and moisture and secure from children, pets, and others. Use a medicine take-back program. For overdose, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222; call 911 for collapse, seizures, breathing trouble, or inability to wake.
About this information
For general information only; not a substitute for individualized medical advice. This sheet does not cover every risk or interaction. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist before changing how you take this medication.
Sources
Educational inclusion does not mean this medication or its indications are treated at this practice. Review the guide for your exact product with your prescriber or pharmacist.