Effects, Precautions, and Interaction
- 15 September, 22
Flurazepam, Dalmane’s generic name, is a short-acting sedative. Doctors use it to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders.
Dalmane drug is a controlled substance, meaning it is available on prescription only. The Dalmane brand name has been discontinued in the US, but generic forms of the drug are still available on prescription. Still, it is one of the most commonly chosen medications for the treatment of sleep disturbances in adults.
Want to know more about this medicine, its precautions, side effects, and interactions? Read on to know!
The medication for insomnia is chosen individually based on the patient’s symptoms and health history. Consult with a doctor today.
How Does Dalmane Work?
Flurazepam belongs to the benzodiazepine class of drugs. It binds to receptors in the brain that help with sleep and anxiety. When these receptors get activated, they send signals to the body’s central nervous system, causing relaxation and calmness.
When taken at bedtime, Dalmane helps people fall asleep faster and for a long time. Dalmane has a half-life of about 2.5 hours, but patients will feel its effect within 15 minutes, and it will last for about 6 hours.
Doctors can also recommend Dalmane for people who wake up too early or suffer from conditions requiring them to get restful sleep. Sleep laboratory studies have determined that Dalmane is effective for at least 28 nights consecutively when used correctly.
Using Dalmane Medication
Dalmane is available in the form of capsules that should be taken by mouth. Adults can take between 15-30 mg per day, while older people should not take more than 15 mg of flurazepam before bed.
One should follow their doctor’s guidelines and the instructions provided on the label when using Flurazepam (Dalmane). The bottle contains all the contraindications, precautions, and warnings, so patients can review them before they start taking the medication.
Patients must not adjust or use the dosage for a shorter or longer period than prescribed. Inappropriate use may result in dependency, overdose, or even death. For further information, patients should consult their healthcare provider. Still, although one should not use the drug for more than two weeks, consulting with a doctor before stopping the medication is mandatory.
Side Effects of Dalmane
If a patient takes Dalmane (flurazepam), they may experience some of these side effects:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Memory loss
- Anxiety
- Slurred speech
The following side effects rarely occur, but if a patient experiences them, they should seek medical attention immediately:
- Chest pain
- Hives
- Blood disorders
- Decreased inhibitions
- Hallucinations
- Stomach upset
- Breathing difficulty
This is not a complete list of side effects patients can experience from flurazepam Dalmane. Some side effects generally disappear after a few days. But if they persist, the patient should discontinue medication and consult their doctor immediately.
Whenever you experience side effects when using Dalamane, contact your prescriber to adjust the dosage or change the drug.
Warnings
Patients should refrain from operating heavy machinery or engaging in activities requiring concentration after taking Dalmane until they become fully alert.
Also, note that flurazepam can cause addiction if a patient doesn’t use it as prescribed, so they may suffer from withdrawal symptoms.
Precautions
The following groups of people should exercise caution when using Dalmane:
Pregnant Women
Pregnant women should not take the Dalmane medicine as it may cause fetal malformation. It can even affect the fetus 10 days before delivery, so pregnant women should avoid it entirely.
Elderly
The elderly will likely experience more severe dizziness, disorientation, unsteadiness, and excessive sleepiness.
People With Allergies
Patients should avoid Dalmane if they are allergic to flurazepam or its ingredients.
Children
Doctors have not established if Dalmane is safe for children under 15, so you should not let children below this age take the medication.
MEDvidi doctors take all the aspects of your health history and current routines into account when choosing the medication for long term insomnia treatment.
Dalmane Interactions
Food and other drugs interaction will affect how flurazepam Dalmane works for a patient in the following ways:
Food Interaction
Patients can take flurazepam dosage with or without food, but they must avoid alcohol. The effects of using alcoholic drinks with flurazepam could be fatal and addictive.
Drug Interaction
Patients should inform their doctors if they are on other medications. This is crucial since taking multiple medicines concurrently might enhance or reduce the effects of the individual drugs. Here are some of the drugs interactions:
- Sodium oxybate, a drug used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness, is contraindicated to take along with Dalmane.
- Medications that alter the function of the brain and nerves, such as sleeping pills, and other similar substances, can enhance the effects of Dalmane.
- Pain relieving tablets, antihistamines, and antidepressants also affect flurazepam use.
- Mixing it with CNS depressants, such as Valium and Xanax, is dangerous.
- Drinking alcohol with Dalmane can potentiate the nervous system’s side effects.
However, doctors might prescribe Dalmane with other medications such as zolpidem (Ambien) and temazepam (Restoril).
Flurazepam Cost
The price of Dalmane will vary depending on the pharmacy you buy it from since each company uses different compositions when preparing the pills. Generally, flurazepam costs about $0.71 for each 15 mg pill and $1.35 for a 30 mg tablet, according to drugs.com.
Final Word
Dalmane is an essential drug for patients with insomnia or those who wake up too early. Since it may cause some side effects, it’s essential for the doctor to weigh the risks and benefits of prescribing this medicine. Use the drug as prescribed by your doctor to avoid addiction, and contact a prescriber whenever you have concerns about the drug’s effect.
Expert Help for Mental Health Issues. Get the best medications from certified prescribers.
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