Temazepam and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• 36...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 15, 2013

Temazepam for Insomnia "I have taken 30mg for several years now. Worked well at first. Slept well with only slight sleepy 'hangover'. As time went by, less and less effective. Before bed, I currently take 30mg of Restoril, an antidepressant that is supposed to make me tired (Lamictal), 0.5mg of clonazepam or 5mg of Valium, and 2 Benadryl, and I still lay in bed awake for 2 to 4 hours before falling asleep. Sometimes I have to call in sick to work because it is 4 am and I haven't fallen asleep yet and know I can't get up in 2 hours and function for work. Restoril is great for about a year but I would plan on switching to something else after that!"

• Gas...
• December 6, 2019

For Insomnia "I have been taking temazepam 1x30mg per evening for 5 years and 2 months for an 'anxiety' disorder, but in my second brain - my gut. My stomach would prohibit me from falling asleep. I would have brain zaps, feelings of falling, etc., many evenings per week. I would stay up all night, unable to work the next day. Then, one random evening at the ER, the ER doc gave me temazepam, and for the first time in a decade, I slept well. Yes, I was nervous. Yes, it knocked me out for 8 hours. Yes, I was a little groggy for the first half hour until I got out of the shower and then 100% awake. That lasted about 40 days (the grogginess and hardcore blackout). After the 40 days, the falling asleep period is more natural, and the waking up period is seamless. I have never felt like I have built up a tolerance to it and have never needed more. I don't feel addicted to it and have never felt any withdrawals from it from taking it for years."

• Gor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 8, 2019

For Insomnia "Temazepam has been my savior. I have PTSD, and the act of falling asleep is a massive trigger for horrific flashbacks. So, it's a vicious cycle that lasts all night. 20 mg of temazepam breaks that cycle. It makes me fall asleep very quickly, and that seems to bypass the trauma center in my brain. I can get about 5 or 6 hours of good sleep. Lately, I've used it with prazosin and Seroquel and get 6 or 7 hours. Advice for anyone starting temazepam: it's very strong, so if you react strongly to sedatives, you'll likely have drowsiness and memory issues. This passes though as your body gets used to it. It gives me serious munchies too. As far as addiction goes, I've been on and off it fairly regularly with no problems. (Lexapro withdrawal was a horror show). Good luck to anyone thinking of using temazepam. I feel your anguish, insomnia is a cruel affliction."

• hun...
• December 12, 2013

For Insomnia "I have been taking temazepam for approximately 20 years with great results. The key is to take it sparingly, and no more than one time per week. I usually take it approximately one time every 10-14 days, and it works wonderfully. I normally go to sleep within 10 minutes and sleep 6-8 hours uninterrupted and wake totally clear-headed and no grogginess."

• Mid...
• May 29, 2013

For Insomnia "I have had restless leg syndrome all my life. Nighttime was awful, kicking my legs, rocking, and only fell asleep because I was exhausted. Been taking 15 mg nightly. Wake up once and fall right back to sleep. Never in my life have I been able to sleep like that. I am 65 years old, once in a while feel groggy. Also helps with restless leg syndrome during the day. Feel more calm as well. My husband says I don't even move at night and no more black-and-blue marks on my legs."

• Swa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 20, 2016

For Insomnia "I took 30 mg temazepam every night for several years. It really worked for me. I had a long history of sleeping only a few hours, then waking up and not falling back to sleep. This drug put me pleasantly to sleep, and I would sleep 7-9 hours. Sometimes I was groggy in the morning for a while. Then my MD took me off the medication because it is meant for only short-term use. I was able to get off with no withdrawal in three weeks. Now, I am back to waking up after several hours of sleep and staying awake for several hours before falling back to sleep. I limit my use of this drug to twice a week now. It still works, but I won't take it every night. I don't think my MD will write another RX for it, so I'm rationing what I have left."

• At ...
• September 23, 2022

For Insomnia "I have been taking temazepam 15 mg for over 15 years. It is a very gentle sleep aid that doesn’t leave me groggy or give me horrible, vivid dreams, etc. Before it was reclassified, I could get the normal 90-day refills, but now I have to wait till the very last day of the 30-day refill to get a new MD order and hope it doesn’t fall on a weekend. I have had insomnia for decades now and use multiple modalities for sleep, i.e., aromatherapy, acupuncture, Alpha-Stim, herbal teas, etc., but still need the base of temazepam to help me sleep more than 2-3 hours a night. It also helps calm my restless leg syndrome in conjunction with gabapentin and Mirapex. One thing alone does not do it, but I wouldn’t be successful without it."

• Nan...
• February 1, 2016

For Insomnia "Like others, I just simply stopped sleeping. Bang, out of the blue insomnia hit me. No traumatic emotional experiences, no depression. My mind will not shut off. But, the doctor still insisted I try antidepressants. I tried several with no help. Then on to the sleeping pills, Trazodone was a nightmare, Ambien, Lunesta, Xanax, no help whatsoever. Then finally, finally, I found a new 'old' school doctor who actually listened to me. He prescribed Temazepam at 15 mg. That didn't work, but 30 mg did. I fall asleep quickly, however, I only get 5-6 hours of sleep. And, I'm extremely groggy all day... So I've just seen the commercial about Belsomra that I'm going to ask about."

• Bar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2019

For Insomnia "Been using temazepam for years. Works! Very slightly groggy in the morning. It’s time-released, so like most sleep aids, never know when it’s going to hit. I have crazy dreams all the time, so ...."

• Nys...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 7, 2017

For Insomnia "I have narcolepsy, so I have periods where I sleep for days without being able to wake up and periods of severe insomnia. I've used various meds for the insomnia, most don't work or stop working in 3-4 months. I've been taking 30 mg temazepam for a year, and it is just starting to be less effective. It kicks in quickly. I will wake up to go to the bathroom after about 4-5 hours (sleeping that long at once is VERY unusual for me!), but I can get back to sleep easily. It also doesn't leave me dopey, make me talk in my sleep, or give me funky dreams. The doctor will cycle me to something else soon, but I really hope to come back to temazepam because it is by far the best I've used."

• ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 2, 2013

For Insomnia "I have been taking temazepam off and on for years. Tried Ambien too. Ambien knocks me out right away, but I can only sleep for about 4 hours on it. Temazepam takes a little longer, maybe an hour, and I need to stay relaxed. Makes me feel a little dopey, but I sleep all night. No ill effects the next day. No rebound effects the next day. Only take twice a week at most for the best results. Take a couple of months' vacation from it every few months."

• Jud...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 15, 2016

For Insomnia "I have had sleep problems for years. Temazepam is a tremendous help to me. Lack of sleep causes far worse side effects for me than this drug does. My doctor prescribed 15 mg temazepam after other, apparently more preferred medications failed to work. I empty about a third of the capsule, as 10 mg seems adequate for me but is unavailable in generic. I generally have no trouble falling to sleep but wake, wide awake, between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m. That is when I take temazepam, and I fall back to sleep within 20 minutes. For me, it becomes less effective after about 2 weeks of use, so I skip a night, and then it is once again effective. My only side effect is some morning grogginess, but it subsides after my one cup of coffee."

• San...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 27, 2017

For Insomnia "I developed chronic insomnia after a stressful life experience in 2006. I asked my general practitioner to prescribe temazepam (Normisom) on the advice of a friend who had used it, and it is a godsend! I took it every night for 5 years and found it non-addictive, worked consistently, and I did not experience any side effects except for a little drowsiness the next day sometimes. I was able to give up taking it every night when my stress levels and sleep improved, but recently I have had to start using it regularly again (I take half a tablet) every night; I just wish 1 tablet would deliver a solid 8 hours of sleep instead of 5-6. My only concern is that I have heard (anecdotally) that it may contribute to dementia in some people."

• Anonymous
• October 17, 2012

For Insomnia "I LOVE temazepam! It is the only thing that works consistently for me. I only take it 1-3 times a week, but it is a godsend for those nights when I know I won't be able to fall asleep. I'm usually asleep within 20 minutes of taking it and usually sleep straight through until the morning. I also have very little problem with feeling groggy the next day. Usually, I am relaxed enough that I want to keep sleeping past my alarm if I could, but since sleep is difficult for me, it's better to have more than less! I don't really have any negatives."

• Lin...
• November 15, 2016

For Insomnia "My doctor prescribed me 10 mg temazepam to help with my sleep. I have been taking mirtazapine for just over a year, which helps with my depression, anxiety, sleep, and eating. I recently upped my dose of mirtazapine to 45 mg but noticed the effects were not as good (sleeping and eating nonexistent again!). I have now gone back down to 30 mg of mirtazapine and have 14 days' worth of temazepam. The first time I was previously prescribed temazepam, it worked absolute wonders for my sleep! Last night I took my first one from this prescription, and I slept amazingly. No grogginess the next day and even boosts my appetite. This medication really needs to be taken at bedtime, if you want to be asleep by 10 pm, take your medication at 9:30."

• ean...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 12, 2017

For Insomnia "I have had insomnia in some form for my entire life, even remember not sleeping as a child/teen. Severe insomnia started in the late 90s, and I have been through every over-the-counter med and then to all the prescription sleeping meds. I went to a psychiatrist to be diagnosed with anxiety and insomnia. I take 30 mg of Restoril at bedtime and get 4-5 hours of sleep, I can take 15 mg if I wake like that and get another 2-3 hours. I can make it on 6 hours a day, but sometimes I need that second dose in the middle of the night. I have been taking this for years and do not have side effects, drowsiness, sleepwalking, etc. It is the only thing that works. I have tried to do without it and do not sleep at all. I will start to doze, but the anxiety kicks in."

• asl...
• May 11, 2009

For Insomnia "I haven't been on this medicine long, but it seems to do exactly what it was prescribed for. I have been on it for a week now and no real side effects to speak about (other than the couple of hours the next morning of being a little groggy). Otherwise, it does what it is supposed to. Sweet dreams all, I think I'll go to bed now. See, it works."

• sle...
• September 12, 2009

For Insomnia "Great for insomnia, and I can now sleep for 7-8 hours. First week I took it, I had the grogginess for the 1st hour after waking up, but that has gone away. I only take it 2-3 nights a week, and it gives me all of the rest and sleep I need. I am also a sleep apnea patient and sleep with a CPAP machine as often as I can. This medicine helps me to keep the CPAP mask on all night. I have COPD and mild depression also. I do not think I would take it every night. I am on 15 mg."

• Car...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 12, 2021

For Insomnia "I have never reviewed a medication before, but temazepam is just that amazing that I felt obligated to spread the good word! I went through a really bad insomniac patch where I truly just couldn't sleep. Not a wink. I tried a bunch of natural remedies and sleeping pills that didn't work (magnesium, melatonin, quetiapine, meditation, etc.). I took zopiclones initially (3-4 weeks), they were doing the trick but I couldn't get more than 3 1/2 hours of sleep with it. They also made me groggy, depressive, and affected my appetite. Then I tried temazepam. I haven't looked back since! I only need 10 mg (occasionally 20 mg if I'm feeling particularly anxious). I sleep 8 hours easily, and it works like a charm every time! I've been having it approximately 3-4 nights a week for almost a year and haven't had any issues. In fact, (probably due to getting regular adequate sleep) my general anxiety has decreased tenfold! I am so grateful for temazepam. Sleep is so important for good health."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2018

For Insomnia "I have had a terrible sleep pattern for years and finally decided to take this tablet. Well, I had the best sleep I have had in years, I slept 11.5 hours! I have had a terrible sleep pattern for ages. I felt a little groggy all day, but if I only have to take this tablet once a week to get at least one great sleep a week, then that will do me. I can highly recommend this particular sleep remedy for anyone who sleeps badly."

• Mef...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 31, 2022

For Insomnia "Been taking temazepam 20 mg for years now, and at first it works great, and I never felt groggy the next day. However, these days I would have to take a few 10 mg pills to even feel it work. When I do take my 20 mg dose, I sleep maybe an hour and wake up and head straight to the kitchen, usually for chocolate, but anything to binge eat on, and I've gained so much weight this way. I have asked to be switched onto another sleeping pill, the doctor said he would look into what other one may help me get a full night. I’m up and down whole night, almost every hour. Has anyone had any other sleeping med that works for them?"

• Sle...
• March 12, 2015

For Insomnia "I have been an insomniac for about 20 years now (no joke). I have been to sleep studies (gosh, you don't go to sleep!), tried every relaxation technique (HA!) and was on Ambien (did crazy things I have NO memory of) and Lunesta. Lunesta didn't seem to give me the crazy night wanderings but drove my blood pressure way up. So now it's Restoril. It worked very well for about 2 months. Now 15 mg does nothing but make me drowsy. Still no sleep! I guess I am going to have to ask for some alternative, but dreading trying yet something else."

• Boo...
• February 5, 2016

For Insomnia "I've had problems falling asleep and staying asleep for the past couple of years. I could not sleep more than 2 hrs without waking, assuming I fell asleep at all. The first couple of nights on Restoril were disappointing. I stuck with it, though, and am now sleeping much better through the night. The only thing is that this medication has no immediate effect on me. I take it 2-3 hours before bedtime, but do sleep much better through the night. I do wake up groggy, though."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 26, 2018

For Insomnia "Take for two nights as directed, then a break for two nights, and then repeat. Takes about an hour to work, sleep for a solid 5 to 6 hours, then wake up. Sometimes can get back to sleep, and other times wide awake. Feel good the next day and not drowsy or lethargic."

• rig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2019

For Insomnia "I must be quite sensitive to this drug. I took less than half of a 10 mg dose (tried to halve the pill, which broke unevenly, so I took the smaller section). Although I did get to sleep and slept through the night, it was hard to get up in the morning, and I felt dopey all day. It was as though I had not woken up fully. Now it is 11 pm, 24 hours since I took the (very small) dose, and it still hasn't worn off completely. I will see my doctor and ask to try something else."