What is Estazolam?

Estazolam is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). Estazolam affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause sleep problems (insomnia).
Estazolam is used to treat insomnia symptoms, such as trouble falling or staying asleep.
Estazolam may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Estazolam?

Estazolam may cause a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking estazolam and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Take estazolam only when you are getting ready for several hours of sleep. You may fall asleep very quickly after taking the medicine.
Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity. If this happens to you, stop taking estazolam and talk with your doctor about another treatment for your sleep disorder.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to estazolam or to other benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), temazepam (Restoril), or triazolam (Halcion).
This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby, or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Do not use estazolam if you are pregnant.
Estazolam may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for.Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Estazolam?

Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity. If this happens to you, stop taking estazolam and talk with your doctor about another treatment for your sleep disorder.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to estazolam or to other benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), temazepam (Restoril), or triazolam (Halcion).
Before taking estazolam, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathing problems (also tell your doctor if you smoke)
• glaucoma
• kidney or liver disease
• myasthenia gravis
• a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior; or
• a history of drug or alcohol addiction

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use estazolam, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
Estazolam can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. It may also cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes estazolam late in pregnancy. Do not use estazolam if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.
Estazolam may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
The sedative effects of flurazepam may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are taking flurazepam.
Do not give this medication to anyone under 18 years old.

Estazolam Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Estazolam?

Estazolam may cause a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking estazolam and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using estazolam and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• weak or shallow breathing
• fast or pounding heartbeats
• confusion, slurred speech, unusual thoughts or behavior
• hallucinations, agitation, aggression
• thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself
• restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
• problems with urination; or
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Less serious side effects may include:

• daytime drowsiness (or during hours when you are not normally sleeping)
• amnesia or forgetfulness
• muscle weakness, lack of balance or coordination
• numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling
• headache, blurred vision, depressed mood
• feeling nervous, excited, or irritable
• nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort; or
• dry mouth, increased thirst

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Estazolam Interactions

What other drugs affect Estazolam?

Before taking estazolam, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Tiazac)
• antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab), isoniazid, itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater)
• antidepressants such as fluvoxamine (Luvox) or nefazodone (Serzone)
• a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton)
• an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)
• medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), mesoridazine (Serentil), pimozide (Orap), or thioridazine (Mellaril); or
• seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin)

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with estazolam. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Estazolam?

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking estazolam. It can increase some of the side effects, and could possibly cause a fatal overdose.
Estazolam can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by estazolam.

Estazolam Dosage

How should I take Estazolam?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take estazolam only when you are getting ready for several hours of sleep. You may fall asleep very quickly after taking the medicine.
Contact your doctor if estazolam seems to stop working as well in helping you fall asleep and stay asleep.
Estazolam should be used for only a short time to treat insomnia. After 7 to 10 nights of use, talk with your doctor about whether or not you should keep taking estazolam. Do not take this medication for longer than 12 weeks without your doctor’s advice.
Your insomnia symptoms may return when you stop using estazolam after using it over a long period of time. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
Estazolam may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Estazolam should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Store estazolam at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of how many tablets have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Benzodiazepines are drugs of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.

What happens if I overdose on Estazolam?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of estazolam can be fatal, especially if taken with alcohol.
Symptoms of an estazolam overdose may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, muscle weakness, slurred speech, tremors, a slow heartbeat, shallow breathing, feeling light-headed, fainting, seizure (black-out or convulsions), or coma.

What happens if I miss a dose of Estazolam?

Since estazolam is taken as needed, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule. Take estazolam only when you have time for several hours of sleep.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com