Pharmacology Guide
Sleep
Date Created
Date Modified
Temazepam (Restoril) |
Triazolam (Halcion) |
Zolpidem (Ambien)
Temazepam |
Restoril |
Mechanism of Action |
Like other benzodiazepines such as diazepam it enhances the inhibitory action of GABA. |
Therapeutic Use |
Treatment of insomnia (disturbed sleep). |
Absorption |
Peak effect, 2-4 hours. Well absorbed. |
Metabolism |
Metabolized by conjugation with glucuronic acid in the liver. |
Half-life |
11 Hours. |
Average Daily Dose (adult) |
15 mg before retiring. |
Adverse Effects |
Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, fatigue, dependence and loss of memory. |
Drug Interaction |
Can cause excessive sedation when combined with other CNS depressants. |
Contraindication |
Pregnancy. Use with caution in severely depressed individuals. |
Triazolam |
Halcion |
Mechanism of Action |
Like other benzodiazepines such as diazepam it enhances the inhibitory action of GABA. |
Therapeutic Use |
Short term treatment of insomnia (disturbed sleep). |
Absorption |
Well absorbed. Time for Peak effect, .5-2 hours following oral administration. |
Metabolism |
Metabolized in the liver by P-450 enzymes. |
Half-life |
1.5-5.5 hours. |
Average Daily Dose (adult) |
0.125-0.25 mg before retiring. |
Adverse Effects |
Rebound insomnia, amnesia (loss of memory), headache, ataxia (muscular incoordination) and dependence. |
Drug Interaction |
Triazolam produces additive CNS depressant effects when coadministered with other CNS depressants Should not be taken with other drugs that inhibit CYP 3A such as; ketoconazole, itraconazole and nefazodone. |
Contraindication |
Pregnancy. Hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines. |
Zolpidem |
Ambien |
Mechanism of Action |
Binds to the benzodiazepine receptor and enhances the inhibitory action of GABA. |
Therapeutic Use |
Short term treatment of insomnia (disturbed sleep). |
Absorption |
Rapid absorption from the GI tract. Peak effect, 1.6 hours. |
Metabolism |
Metabolized in the liver and metabolites are eliminated in the urine. |
Half-life |
1.4-3.8 hours. |
Average Daily Dose (adult) |
10 mg before bedtime. |
Adverse Effects |
Headache, daytime drowsiness, lethargy and dizziness. |
Drug Interaction |
Use with caution in patients using other CNS depressants. No significant drug interactions have been observed. |
Contraindication |
Use with caution in patients with liver disease. |
These brief pharmaceutical summaries do not include all information important for patient use and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult the prescribing doctor and read package inserts before using these or any other medications or supplements.
CDER
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
Zafonte, R., Mann, N., & Fichtenberg, N. (1996). Sleep disturbance in traumatic brain injury: pharmacologic options. Neurorehabilitation . 7(3), 189-196.
