ABUSE SECTION.


Abuse and Dependence. Withdrawal symptoms, similar in character to those noted with barbiturates and alcohol (convulsions, tremor, abdominal, and muscle cramps, vomiting, and sweating), have occurred following abrupt discontinuance of benzodiazepines. The more severe withdrawal symptoms have usually been limited to those patients who received excessive doses over an extended period of time. Generally milder withdrawal symptoms (e.g., dysphoria and insomnia) have been reported following abrupt discontinuance of benzodiazepines taken continuously at therapeutic levels for several months. Consequently, after extended therapy at doses higher than 15 mg, abrupt discontinuation should generally be avoided and gradual dosage tapering schedule followed. As with any hypnotic, caution must be exercised in administering temazepam to individuals known to be addiction-prone or to those whose history suggests they may increase the dosage on their own initiative. It is desirable to limit repeated prescriptions without adequate medical supervision.

ADVERSE REACTIONS SECTION.


ADVERSE REACTIONS. During controlled clinical studies in which 1076 patients received temazepam at bedtime, the drug was well tolerated. Side effects were usually mild and transient. Adverse reactions occurring in 1% or more of patients are presented in the following table: Temazepam% Incidence(n=1076) Placebo% Incidence(n=783)Drowsiness9.15.6Headache8.59.1Fatigue4.84.7Nervousness4.68.2Lethargy4.53.4Dizziness4.53.3Nausea3.13.8Hangover2.51.1Anxiety2.01.5Depression1.71.8Dry Mouth1.72.2Diarrhea1.71.1Abdominal Discomfort1.51.9Euphoria1.50.4Weakness1.40.9Confusion1.30.5Blurred Vision1.31.3Nightmares1.21.7Vertigo1.20.8The following adverse events have been reported less frequently (0.5% to 0.9%):Central Nervous System anorexia, ataxia, equilibrium loss, tremor, increased dreaming Cardiovascular dyspnea, palpitations Gastrointestinal vomiting Musculoskeletal backache Special Senses hyperhidrosis, burning eyesAmnesia, hallucinations, horizontal nystagmus, and paradoxical reactions including restlessness, overstimulation and agitation were rare (less than 0.5%).

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY SECTION.


CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGYPharmacokinetics. In single and multiple dose absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) study, using 3H labeled drug, temazepam was well absorbed and found to have minimal (8%) first pass metabolism. There were no active metabolites formed and the only significant metabolite present in blood was the O-conjugate. The unchanged drug was 96% bound to plasma proteins. The blood level decline of the parent drug was biphasic with the short half-life ranging from 0.4 to 0.6 hours and the terminal half-life from 3.5 to 18.4 hours (mean 8.8 hours), depending on the study population and method of determination. Metabolites were formed with half-life of 10 hours and excreted with half-life of approximately hours. Thus, formation of the major metabolite is the rate limiting step in the biodisposition of temazepam. There is no accumulation of metabolites. dose-proportional relationship has been established for the area under the plasma concentration/time curve over the 15 to 30 mg dose range.Temazepam was completely metabolized through conjugation prior to excretion; 80% to 90% of the dose appeared in the urine. The major metabolite was the O-conjugate of temazepam (90%); the O-conjugate of N-desmethyl temazepam was minor metabolite (7%).

CONTRAINDICATIONS SECTION.


CONTRAINDICATIONS. Benzodiazepines may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant woman. An increased risk of congenital malformations associated with the use of diazepam and chlordiazepoxide during the first trimester of pregnancy has been suggested in several studies. Transplacental distribution has resulted in neonatal CNS depression following the ingestion of therapeutic doses of benzodiazepine hypnotic during the last weeks of pregnancy.Reproduction studies in animals with temazepam were performed in rats and rabbits. In perinatal-postnatal study in rats, oral doses of 60 mg/kg/day resulted in increasing nursling mortality. Teratology studies in rats demonstrated increased fetal resorptions at doses of 30 and 120 mg/kg in one study and increased occurrence of rudimentary ribs, which are considered skeletal variants, in second study at doses of 240 mg/kg or higher. In rabbits, occasional abnormalities such as exencephaly and fusion or asymmetry of ribs were reported without dose relationship. Although these abnormalities were not found in the concurrent control group, they have been reported to occur randomly in historical controls. At doses of 40 mg/kg or higher, there was an increased incidence of the 13th rib variant when compared to the incidence in concurrent and historical controls.Temazepam is contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus. Patients should be instructed to discontinue the drug prior to becoming pregnant. The possibility that woman of childbearing potential may be pregnant at the time of institution of therapy should be considered.

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE SECTION.


Controlled Substance. Temazepam is controlled substance in Schedule IV.

DESCRIPTION SECTION.


DESCRIPTION. Temazepam is benzodiazepine hypnotic agent. The chemical name is 7-chloro--1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-1-methyl-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one, and the structural formula is: C16H13ClN2O2MW 300.74Temazepam is white, crystalline substance, very slightly soluble in water and sparingly soluble in alcohol USP.Temazepam Capsules, USP, 7.5 mg, 15 mg, 22.5 mg and 30 mg, are for oral administration. 7.5 mg, 15 mg, 22.5 mg and 30 mg Capsules Active Ingredient: temazepam USP 7.5 mg Capsules Inactive Ingredients: Corn starch, lactose anhydrous, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate, FD&C Red 40 and titanium dioxide.May also include: sodium lauryl sulfate. Imprinting ink may contain ammonium hydroxide, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butanol, shellac, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, and black iron oxide. 15 mg Capsules Inactive Ingredients: Corn starch, lactose anhydrous, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate, FD&C Blue 1, FD&C yellow 6, gelatin and titanium dioxide.May also include: sodium lauryl sulfate. Imprinting ink may contain ammonium hydroxide, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butanol, shellac, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, and black iron oxide. 22.5 mg Capsules Inactive Ingredients: Corn starch, lactose anhydrous, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate, FD&C Blue 1, FD&C Red 40, gelatin and titanium dioxide.May also include: sodium lauryl sulfate. Imprinting ink may contain ammonium hydroxide, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butanol, shellac, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, and black iron oxide. 30 mg Capsules Inactive Ingredients: Corn starch, lactose anhydrous, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate, gelatin and titanium dioxide.May also include: sodium lauryl sulfate. Imprinting ink may contain ammonium hydroxide, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butanol, shellac, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, and black iron oxide.

DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION SECTION.


DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION. While the recommended usual adult dose is 15 mg before retiring, 7.5 mg may be sufficient for some patients, and others may need 30 mg. In transient insomnia, 7.5 mg dose may be sufficient to improve sleep latency. In elderly or debilitated patients, it is recommended that therapy be initiated with 7.5 mg until individual responses are determined.

DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE SECTION.


DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE. Abuse and addiction are separate and distinct from physical dependence and tolerance. Abuse is characterized by misuse of the drug for non-medical purposes, often in combination with other psychoactive substances. Physical dependence is state of adaptation that is manifested by specific withdrawal syndrome that can be produced by abrupt cessation, rapid dose reduction, decreasing blood level of the drug and/or administration of an antagonist. Tolerance is state of adaptation in which exposure to drug induces changes that result in diminution of one or more of the drugs effects over time. Tolerance may occur to both the desired and undesired effects of drugs and may develop at different rates for different effects.Addiction is primary, chronic, neurobiological disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. It is characterized by behaviors that include one or more of the following: impaired control over drug use, compulsive use, continued use despite harm, and craving. Drug addiction is treatable disease, utilizing multidisciplinary approach, but relapse is common.. Controlled Substance. Temazepam is controlled substance in Schedule IV.. Abuse and Dependence. Withdrawal symptoms, similar in character to those noted with barbiturates and alcohol (convulsions, tremor, abdominal, and muscle cramps, vomiting, and sweating), have occurred following abrupt discontinuance of benzodiazepines. The more severe withdrawal symptoms have usually been limited to those patients who received excessive doses over an extended period of time. Generally milder withdrawal symptoms (e.g., dysphoria and insomnia) have been reported following abrupt discontinuance of benzodiazepines taken continuously at therapeutic levels for several months. Consequently, after extended therapy at doses higher than 15 mg, abrupt discontinuation should generally be avoided and gradual dosage tapering schedule followed. As with any hypnotic, caution must be exercised in administering temazepam to individuals known to be addiction-prone or to those whose history suggests they may increase the dosage on their own initiative. It is desirable to limit repeated prescriptions without adequate medical supervision.

GENERAL PRECAUTIONS SECTION.


General. Since the risk of the development of oversedation, dizziness, confusion, and/or ataxia increases substantially with larger doses of benzodiazepines in elderly and debilitated patients, 7.5 mg of temazepam is recommended as the initial dosage for such patients.Temazepam should be administered with caution in severely depressed patients or those in whom there is any evidence of latent depression; it should be recognized that suicidal tendencies may be present and protective measures may be necessary.The usual precautions should be observed in patients with impaired renal or hepatic function and in patients with chronic pulmonary insufficiency.If temazepam is to be combined with other drugs having known hypnotic properties or CNS-depressant effects, consideration should be given to potential additive effects.The possibility of synergistic effect exists with the co-administration of temazepam and diphenhydramine. One case of stillbirth at term has been reported hours after pregnant patient received temazepam and diphenhydramine. cause and effect relationship has not yet been determined (see CONTRAINDICATIONS).

HOW SUPPLIED SECTION.


HOW SUPPLIED. Temazepam Capsules USP7.5 mgPink opaque cap and white opaque body, imprinted 7.5 mg on cap and Novel 120 on the body in black ink. Bottle of 30..........NDC 40032-120-20Bottle of 100........NDC 40032-120-24Bottle of 500........NDC 40032-120-2615 mgBlue opaque cap and white opaque body, imprinted 15 mg on cap and Novel 121 on the body in black ink.Bottle of 100........NDC 40032-121-24Bottle of 500........NDC 40032-121-2622.5 mgLight blue opaque cap and white opaque body, imprinted 22.5 mg on cap and Novel 122 on the body in black ink. Bottle of 30..........NDC 40032-122-20Bottle of 100........NDC 40032-122-24Bottle of 500........NDC 40032-122-2630 mgWhite opaque cap and body, imprinted 30 mg on cap and Novel 123 on the body in black ink. Bottle of 100........NDC 40032-123-24Bottle of 500........NDC 40032-123-26Dispense in well-closed, light-resistant container with child-resistant closure.Storage: Store at 20 to 25C (68 to 77F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].Romazicon is the registered trademark of Hoffman-LaRoche Inc. Trademark of Medical Economics Company, Inc.Manufactured by:Novel Laboratories, Inc.Somerset, NJ 08873.

INDICATIONS & USAGE SECTION.


INDICATIONS AND USAGE. Temazepam Capsules, USP are indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia (generally to 10 days).For patients with short-term insomnia, instructions in the prescription should indicate that Temazepam Capsules, USP should be used for short periods of time (7 to 10 days).The clinical trials performed in support of efficacy were weeks in duration with the final formal assessment of sleep latency performed at the end of treatment.

OVERDOSAGE SECTION.


OVERDOSAGE. Manifestations of acute overdosage of temazepam can be expected to reflect the CNS effects of the drug and include somnolence, confusion, and coma, with reduced or absent reflexes, respiratory depression, and hypotension. The oral LD50 of temazepam was 1963 mg/kg in mice, 1833 mg/kg in rats, and >2400 mg/kg in rabbits.

PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL.


PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL. Figure 1Figure 2Figure 3Figure 4. C:\Documents and Settings\spolina\desktop\tem-spl\STRUCTURE.JPG. C:\Documents and Settings\spolina\desktop\tem-spl\7.5mg-100.JPG. C:\Documents and Settings\spolina\desktop\tem-spl\15mg-100.JPG. C:\Documents and Settings\spolina\desktop\tem-spl\22.5mg-100.JPG. C:\Documents and Settings\spolina\desktop\tem-spl\30mg-100.JPG.

PRECAUTIONS SECTION.


PRECAUTIONS. General. Since the risk of the development of oversedation, dizziness, confusion, and/or ataxia increases substantially with larger doses of benzodiazepines in elderly and debilitated patients, 7.5 mg of temazepam is recommended as the initial dosage for such patients.Temazepam should be administered with caution in severely depressed patients or those in whom there is any evidence of latent depression; it should be recognized that suicidal tendencies may be present and protective measures may be necessary.The usual precautions should be observed in patients with impaired renal or hepatic function and in patients with chronic pulmonary insufficiency.If temazepam is to be combined with other drugs having known hypnotic properties or CNS-depressant effects, consideration should be given to potential additive effects.The possibility of synergistic effect exists with the co-administration of temazepam and diphenhydramine. One case of stillbirth at term has been reported hours after pregnant patient received temazepam and diphenhydramine. cause and effect relationship has not yet been determined (see CONTRAINDICATIONS).. Information for Patients. The text of patient Medication Guide is printed at the end of this insert. To assure safe and effective use of temazepam, the information and instructions provided in this patient Medication Guide should be discussed with patients.

SPL MEDGUIDE SECTION.


Medguide. TEMAZEPAM Capsules, USP C-IV(temazepam)Read the Medication Guide that comes with TEMAZEPAM before you start taking it and each time you get refill. There may be new information. This Medication Guide does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your medical condition or treatment.What is the most important information should know about TEMAZEPAMAfter taking TEMAZEPAM, you may get up out of bed while not being fully awake and do an activity that you do not know you are doing. The next morning, you may not remember that you did anything during the night. You have higher chance for doing these activities if you drink alcohol or take other medicines that make you sleepy with TEMAZEPAM. Reported activities include:driving car (sleep-driving)making and eating foodtalking on the phonehaving sexsleep-walkingCall your doctor right away if you find out that you have done any of the above activities after taking TEMAZEPAM.Important:Take TEMAZEPAM exactly as prescribedDo not take more TEMAZEPAM than prescribed.Take TEMAZEPAM right before you get in bed, not sooner. Do not take TEMAZEPAM if you:drink alcoholtake other medicines that can make you sleepy. Talk to your doctor about all of your medicines. Your doctor will tell you if you can take TEMAZEPAM with your other medicinescannot get full nights sleep What is TEMAZEPAMTEMAZEPAM is sedative-hypnotic (sleep) medicine. TEMAZEPAM is used in adults for the short-term (usually to 10 days) treatment of sleep problem called insomnia. Symptoms of insomnia include:trouble falling asleepwaking up often during the nightTEMAZEPAM is not for children.TEMAZEPAM is federally controlled substance (C-IV) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep TEMAZEPAM in safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away TEMAZEPAM may harm others, and is against the law. Tell your doctor if you have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines or street drugs.Who should not take TEMAZEPAMDo not take TEMAZEPAM if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. TEMAZEPAM may cause birth defects or harm fetus (unborn baby).TEMAZEPAM may not be right for you. Before starting TEMAZEPAM, tell your doctor about all of your health conditions, including if you:have history of depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughtshave history of drug or alcohol abuse or addictionhave kidney or liver diseasehave lung disease or breathing problemsare breastfeedingTell your doctor about all of the medicines you take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Medicines can interact with each other, sometimes causing serious side effects. Do not take TEMAZEPAM with other medicines that can make you sleepy.Know the medicines you take. Keep list of your medicines with you to show your doctor and pharmacist each time you get new medicine.How should take TEMAZEPAMTake TEMAZEPAM exactly as prescribed. Do not take more TEMAZEPAM than prescribed for you.Take TEMAZEPAM right before you get into bed.Do not take TEMAZEPAM unless you are able to get full nights sleep before you must be active again.Call your doctor if your insomnia worsens or is not better within to 10 days. This may mean that there is another condition causing your sleep problems.If you take too much TEMAZEPAM or overdose, call your doctor or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.What are the possible side effects of TEMAZEPAMPossible serious side effects of TEMAZEPAM include:getting out of bed while not being fully awake and do an activity that you do not know you are doing. (See What is the most important information should know about TEMAZEPAM)abnormal thoughts and behavior. Symptoms include more outgoing or aggressive behavior than normal, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, worsening of depression, and suicidal thoughts.memory lossanxietysevere allergic reactions. Symptoms include swelling of the tongue or throat, trouble breathing, and nausea and vomiting. Get emergency medical help if you get these symptoms after taking TEMAZEPAM.Call your doctor right away if you have any of the above side effects or any other side effects that worry you while using TEMAZEPAM.The most common side effects of TEMAZEPAM are:drowsinessheadachetirednessnervousnessdizzinessnauseahangover feeling the day after taking TEMAZEPAMYou may still feel drowsy the next day after taking TEMAZEPAM. Do not drive or do other dangerous activities after taking TEMAZEPAM until you feel fully awake.You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking TEMAZEPAM suddenly. Withdrawal symptoms can be serious and include seizures. Mild withdrawal symptoms include depressed mood and trouble sleeping. Talk to your doctor to check if you need to stop TEMAZEPAM slowly.These are not all the side effects of TEMAZEPAM. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.How should store TEMAZEPAMStore TEMAZEPAM at room temperature, 68 to 77F (20 to 25C).Keep TEMAZEPAM and all medicines out of reach of children.General Information about TEMAZEPAMMedicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in Medication Guide.Do not use TEMAZEPAM for condition for which it was not prescribed.Do not share TEMAZEPAM with other people, even if you think they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them and it is against the law.This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about TEMAZEPAM. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about TEMAZEPAM that is written for healthcare professionals.What are the ingredients in TEMAZEPAM7.5mg, 15mg, 22.5mg and 30mg CapsulesActive Ingredient: temazepam USP7.5 mg CapsulesInactive Ingredients: Corn starch, lactose anhydrous, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate, FD&C Red 40 and titanium dioxide.May also include: sodium lauryl sulfate. Imprinting ink may contain ammonium hydroxide, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butanol, shellac, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, and black iron oxide.15 mg CapsulesInactive Ingredients: Corn starch, lactose anhydrous, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate, FD&C Blue 1, FD&C yellow 6, gelatin and titanium dioxide.May also include: sodium lauryl sulfate. Imprinting ink may contain ammonium hydroxide, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butanol, shellac, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, and black iron oxide.22.5 mg CapsulesInactive Ingredients: Corn starch, lactose anhydrous, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate, FD&C Blue 1, FD&C Red 40, gelatin and titanium dioxide.May also include: sodium lauryl sulfate. Imprinting ink may contain ammonium hydroxide, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butanol, shellac, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, and black iron oxide.30 mg CapsulesInactive Ingredients: Corn starch, lactose anhydrous, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate, gelatin and titanium dioxide.May also include: sodium lauryl sulfate. Imprinting ink may contain ammonium hydroxide, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butanol, shellac, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, and black iron oxide.Manufactured by:Novel Laboratories, IncSomerset, NJ 08873NIN-123-04Rev: 04/12. driving car (sleep-driving). making and eating food. talking on the phone. having sex. sleep-walking. Take TEMAZEPAM exactly as prescribed. Do not take more TEMAZEPAM than prescribed.. Take TEMAZEPAM right before you get in bed, not sooner. Do not take TEMAZEPAM if you:. drink alcohol. take other medicines that can make you sleepy. Talk to your doctor about all of your medicines. Your doctor will tell you if you can take TEMAZEPAM with your other medicines. cannot get full nights sleep trouble falling asleep. waking up often during the night. have history of depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts. have history of drug or alcohol abuse or addiction. have kidney or liver disease. have lung disease or breathing problems. are breastfeeding. Take TEMAZEPAM exactly as prescribed. Do not take more TEMAZEPAM than prescribed for you.. Take TEMAZEPAM right before you get into bed.. Do not take TEMAZEPAM unless you are able to get full nights sleep before you must be active again.. Call your doctor if your insomnia worsens or is not better within to 10 days. This may mean that there is another condition causing your sleep problems.. If you take too much TEMAZEPAM or overdose, call your doctor or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.. getting out of bed while not being fully awake and do an activity that you do not know you are doing. (See What is the most important information should know about TEMAZEPAM). abnormal thoughts and behavior. Symptoms include more outgoing or aggressive behavior than normal, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, worsening of depression, and suicidal thoughts.. memory loss. anxiety. severe allergic reactions. Symptoms include swelling of the tongue or throat, trouble breathing, and nausea and vomiting. Get emergency medical help if you get these symptoms after taking TEMAZEPAM.. drowsiness. headache. tiredness. nervousness. dizziness. nausea. hangover feeling the day after taking TEMAZEPAM. You may still feel drowsy the next day after taking TEMAZEPAM. Do not drive or do other dangerous activities after taking TEMAZEPAM until you feel fully awake.. You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking TEMAZEPAM suddenly. Withdrawal symptoms can be serious and include seizures. Mild withdrawal symptoms include depressed mood and trouble sleeping. Talk to your doctor to check if you need to stop TEMAZEPAM slowly.. Store TEMAZEPAM at room temperature, 68 to 77F (20 to 25C).. Keep TEMAZEPAM and all medicines out of reach of children.. Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in Medication Guide.. Do not use TEMAZEPAM for condition for which it was not prescribed.. Do not share TEMAZEPAM with other people, even if you think they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them and it is against the law.

SPL UNCLASSIFIED SECTION.


Bioavailability, Induction, and Plasma Levels. Following ingestion of 30 mg temazepam capsule, measurable plasma concentrations were achieved 10 to 20 minutes after dosing with peak plasma levels ranging from 666 to 982 ng/mL (mean 865 ng/mL) occurring approximately 1.2 to 1.6 hours (mean 1.5 hours) after dosing.In 7 day study, in which subjects were given 30 mg temazepam capsule hour before retiring, steady-state (as measured by the attainment of maximal trough concentrations) was achieved by the third dose. Mean plasma levels of temazepam (for days to 7) were 260+-210 ng/mL at hours and 75+-80 ng/mL at 24 hours after dosing. slight trend toward declining 24 hour plasma levels was seen after day in the study, however, the 24 hour plasma levels were quite variable.At dose of 30 mg once-a-day for weeks, no evidence of enzyme induction was found in man.

WARNINGS SECTION.


WARNINGS. Sleep disturbance may be the presenting manifestation of an underlying physical and/or psychiatric disorder. Consequently, decision to initiate symptomatic treatment of insomnia should only be made after the patient has been carefully evaluated. The failure of insomnia to remit after to 10 days of treatment may indicate the presence of primary psychiatric and/or medical illness that should be evaluated. Worsening of insomnia may be the consequence of an unrecognized psychiatric or physical disorder as may the emergence of new abnormalities of thinking or behavior. Such abnormalities have also been reported to occur in association with the use of drugs with central nervous system depressant activity, including those of the benzodiazepine class. Because some of the worrisome adverse effects of benzodiazepines, including temazepam, appear to be dose related (see PRECAUTIONS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION), it is important to use the lowest possible effective dose. Elderly patients are especially at risk.Some of these changes may be characterized by decreased inhibition, e.g., aggressiveness and extroversion that seem out of character, similar to that seen with alcohol. Other kinds of behavioral changes can also occur, for example, bizarre behavior, agitation, hallucinations, and depersonalization. Complex behaviors such as sleep-driving (i.e., driving while not fully awake after ingestion of sedative-hypnotic, with amnesia for the event) have been reported. These events can occur in sedative-hypnotic-naive as well as in sedative-hypnotic-experienced persons. Although behaviors such as sleep-driving may occur with temazepam alone at therapeutic doses, the use of alcohol and other CNS depressants with temazepam appears to increase the risk of such behaviors, as does the use of temazepam at doses exceeding the maximum recommended dose. Due to the risk to the patient and the community, discontinuation of temazepam should be strongly considered for patients who report sleep-driving episode. Other complex behaviors (e.g., preparing and eating food, making phone calls, or having sex) have been reported in patients who are not fully awake after taking sedative-hypnotic. As with sleep-driving, patients usually do not remember these events. Amnesia and other neuro-psychiatric symptoms may occur unpredictably. In primarily depressed patients, worsening of depression, including suicidal thinking has been reported in association with the use of sedative/hypnotics.It can rarely be determined with certainty whether particular instance of the abnormal behaviors listed above is drug induced, spontaneous in origin, or result of an underlying psychiatric or physical disorder. Nonetheless, the emergence of any new behavioral sign or symptom of concern requires careful and immediate evaluation.Withdrawal symptoms (of the barbiturate type) have occurred after the abrupt discontinuation of benzodiazepines (see DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE).