Quazepam Drug Information
Generic name: QUAZEPAM
Benzodiazepine [EPC]
Uses of Quazepam
Quazepam Tablets are indicated for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty in falling asleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings, and/or early morning awakenings. The effectiveness of Quazepam Tablets has been established in placebo-controlled clinical studies of 5 nights duration in acute and chronic insomnia. The sustained effectiveness of Quazepam Tablets has been established in chronic insomnia in a sleep lab (polysomnographic) study of 28 nights duration.
Because insomnia is often transient and intermittent, the prolonged administration of Quazepam Tablets is generally not necessary or recommended. Since insomnia may be a symptom of several other disorders, the possibility that the complaint may be related to a condition for which there is a more specific treatment should be considered. Quazepam Tablets, a gamma-aminobutyric (GABAA) agonist, is indicated for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty falling asleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings, and/or early morning awakenings.
Dosage & Administration of Quazepam
Dosage Recommendations Use the lowest dose effective for the patient, as important
adverse effects of Quazepam Tablets are dose related. The recommended initial dose is 7.5 mg. The 7.5 mg dose can be increased to 15 mg if necessary for efficacy.
The 7.5 mg dose can be achieved by splitting the 15 mg tablet along the score line.
Discontinuation or Dosage Reduction of Quazepam Tablets To reduce the risk of
withdrawal reactions, use a gradual taper to discontinue Quazepam Tablets or reduce the dosage. If a patient develops withdrawal reactions, consider pausing the taper or increasing the dosage to the previous tapered dosage level. Subsequently decrease the dosage more slowly .
Side Effects of Quazepam
Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The table shows adverse reactions occurring at an incidence of 1% or greater in relatively short-duration, placebo-controlled clinical trials of Quazepam Tablets. Quazepam Tablets 15 mg PLACEBO NUMBER OF PATIENTS 267 268 % OF PATIENTS REPORTING Central Nervous System Daytime Drowsiness 12 3 Headache 5 2 Fatigue 2 0 Dizziness 2 <1 Autonomic Nervous System Dry Mouth 2 <1 Gastrointestinal System Dyspepsia 1 <1 A double-blind, controlled sleep laboratory study (N=30) in elderly patients compared the effects of Quazepam Tablets 7.5 mg and 15 mg to that of placebo over a period of 7 days.
Both the 7.5 mg and 15 mg doses appeared to be well tolerated. Caution must be used in interpreting this data due to the small size of the study.
Warnings & Cautions for Quazepam
Risks from
Concomitant Use with Opioids Concomitant use of benzodiazepines, including Quazepam Tablets, and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Because of these risks, reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Observational studies have demonstrated that concomitant use of opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines increases the risk of drug-related mortality compared to use of opioids alone.
If a decision is made to prescribe Quazepam Tablets concomitantly with opioids, prescribe the lowest effective dosages and minimum durations of concomitant use, and follow patients closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation. In patients already receiving an opioid analgesic, prescribe a lower initial dose of Quazepam Tablets than indicated in the absence of an opioid and titrate based on clinical response. If an opioid is initiated in a patient already taking Quazepam Tablets, prescribe a lower initial dose of the opioid and titrate based upon clinical response.
Advise both patients and caregivers about the risks of respiratory depression and sedation when Quazepam Tablets is used with opioids. Advise patients not to drive or operate heavy machinery until the effects of concomitant use with the opioid have been determined. .
Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction
The use of benzodiazepines, including Quazepam Tablets, exposes users to the risks of abuse, misuse, and addiction, which can lead to overdose or death. Abuse and misuse of benzodiazepines often (but not always) involve the use of doses greater than the maximum recommended dosage and commonly involve concomitant use of other medications, alcohol, and/or illicit substances, which is associated with an increased frequency of serious adverse outcomes, including respiratory depression, overdose, or death . Before prescribing Quazepam Tablets and throughout treatment, assess each patient’s risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction (e.g., using a standardized screening tool). Use of Quazepam Tablets, particularly in patients at elevated risk, necessitates counseling about the risks and proper use of Quazepam Tablets along with monitoring for signs and symptoms of abuse, misuse, and addiction. Prescribe the lowest effective dosage; avoid or minimize concomitant use of CNS depressants and other substances associated with abuse, misuse, and addiction (e.g., opioid analgesics, stimulants); and advise patients on the proper disposal of unused drug.
If a substance use disorder is suspected, evaluate the patient and institute (or refer them for) early treatment, as appropriate.
Dependence and Withdrawal Reactions To reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions, use
a gradual taper to discontinue Quazepam Tablets or reduce the dosage (a patient-specific plan should be used to taper the dose) . Patients at an increased risk of withdrawal adverse reactions after benzodiazepine discontinuation or rapid dosage reduction include those who take higher dosages, and those who have had longer durations of use. Acute Withdrawal Reactions The continued use of benzodiazepines, including Quazepam Tablets, may lead to clinically significant physical dependence. Abrupt discontinuation or rapid dosage reduction of Quazepam Tablets after continued use, or administration of flumazenil (a benzodiazepine antagonist) may precipitate acute withdrawal reactions, which can be life-threatening (e.g., seizures) . Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome In some cases, benzodiazepine users have developed a protracted withdrawal syndrome with withdrawal symptoms lasting weeks to more than 12 months .
CNS-Depressant Effects and Daytime Impairment Quazepam Tablet is a central nervous system
(CNS) depressant and can impair daytime function in some patients even when used as prescribed. Prescribers should monitor for excess depressant effects, but impairment can occur in the absence of subjective symptoms, and may not be reliably detected by ordinary clinical exam (i.e. less than formal psychomotor testing). While pharmacodynamics tolerance or adaptation to some adverse depressant effects of Quazepam Tablets may develop, patients using Quazepam Tablets should be cautioned against driving or engaging in other hazardous activities or activities requiring complete mental alertness. Additive effects occur with concomitant use of other CNS depressants (e.g., other benzodiazepines, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, alcohol), including daytime use.
Downward dose adjustment of Quazepam Tablets and concomitant CNS depressants should be considered. The potential for adverse drug interactions continues for several days following discontinuation of Quazepam Tablets, until serum levels of both active parent drug and psychoactive metabolites decline. Use of Quazepam Tablets with other sedative-hypnotics is not recommended.
Alcohol generally should not be used during treatment with Quazepam Tablets. The risk of next-day psychomotor impairment is increased if Quazepam Tablets is taken with less than a full night of sleep remaining (7 to 8 hours); if higher than the recommended dose is taken; if co-administered with other CNS depressants . Because Quazepam Tablets can cause drowsiness and a decreased level of consciousness, patients particularly the elderly, are at higher risk of falls.
Need to Evaluate for Co-morbid Diagnoses
Because sleep disturbances may be the presenting manifestation of a physical and/or psychiatric disorder, symptomatic treatment of insomnia should be initiated only after a careful evaluation of the patient. The failure of insomnia to remit after 7 to 10 days of treatment may indicate the presence of a primary psychiatric and/or medical illness that should be evaluated. Worsening of insomnia or the emergence of new thinking or behavior abnormalities may be the consequence of an unrecognized psychiatric or physical disorder.
Such findings have emerged during the course of treatment with sedative-hypnotic drugs.
Severe Anaphylactic and Anaphylactoid Reactions Rare cases of angioedema involving the tongue
glottis or larynx have been reported in patients after taking the first or subsequent doses of sedative-hypnotics, including Quazepam Tablets. Some patients have had additional symptoms such as dyspnea, throat closing, or nausea and vomiting that suggest anaphylaxis. Some patients have required medical therapy in the emergency department.
If angioedema involves the tongue, glottis or larynx, airway obstruction may occur and be fatal. Patients who develop angioedema after treatment with Quazepam Tablets should not be rechallenged with the drug.
Abnormal Thinking and Behavior Changes Abnormal thinking and behavior changes have been
reported in patients treated with sedative-hypnotics including Quazepam Tablets. Some of these changes include decreased inhibition (e.g., aggressiveness and extroversion that seemed out of character), bizarre behavior, and depersonalization. Visual and auditory hallucinations have also been reported.
Amnesia, and other neuro-psychiatric symptoms may occur. Paradoxical reactions such as stimulation, agitation, increased muscle spasticity, and sleep disturbances may occur unpredictably. Complex behaviors such as "sleep-driving" (i.e., driving while not fully awake, with amnesia for the event) have been reported with use of sedative-hypnotics.
These behaviors can occur with initial treatment or in patients previously tolerant of Quazepam Tablets or other sedative-hypnotics. Although these behaviors can occur with use at therapeutic doses, risk is increased by higher doses or concomitant use of alcohol or other CNS depressants. Due to risk to the patient and community, Quazepam Tablets should be discontinued if "sleep-driving" occurs.
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 a sedative-hypnotic. As with sleep-driving, patients usually do not remember these events.
Worsening of Depression Benzodiazepines may worsen depression. Consequently, appropriate precautions (e.g., limiting
the total prescription size and increased monitoring for suicidal ideation) should be considered.
Neonatal Sedation and Withdrawal Syndrome Use of Quazepam Tablets late in pregnancy
can result in sedation (respiratory depression, lethargy, hypotonia) and/or withdrawal symptoms (hyperreflexia, irritability, restlessness, tremors, inconsolable crying, and feeding difficulties) in the neonate . Monitor neonates exposed to Quazepam Tablets during pregnancy or labor for signs of sedation and monitor neonates exposed to Quazepam Tablets during pregnancy for signs of withdrawal; manage these infants accordingly.
Drug Interactions with Quazepam
The concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids increases the risk of respiratory depression because of actions at different receptor sites in the CNS that control respiration. Benzodiazepines interact at GABAA sites and opioids interact primarily at mu receptors. When benzodiazepines and opioids are combined, the potential for benzodiazepines to significantly worsen opioid-related respiratory depression exists.
Limit dosage and duration of concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids, and monitor patients closely for respiratory depression and sedation. Benzodiazepines, including Quazepam Tablets, produce additive CNS depressant effects when co-administered with ethanol or other CNS depressants (e.g. psychotropic medications, anticonvulsants, antihistamines). Downward dose adjustment of Quazepam Tablets and/or concomitant CNS depressants may be necessary because of additive effects. CNS Depressants: downward dose adjustment may be necessary due to additive effects
Pregnancy Safety for Quazepam
Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to psychiatric medications, including Quazepam Tablets, during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications at 1-866-961-2388 or visiting on line at https://womensmentalhealth.org/pregnancyregistry/. Risk Summary Infants born to mothers using benzodiazepines late in pregnancy have been reported to experience symptoms of sedation and/or neonatal withdrawal . Available data from published observational studies of pregnant women exposed to benzodiazepines do not report a clear association with benzodiazepines and major birth defects (see Data). The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes.
In the U.S. general population, the estimated risk of major birth defects and of miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions Benzodiazepines cross the placenta and may produce respiratory depression, hypotonia, and sedation in neonates. Monitor neonates exposed to Quazepam Tablets during pregnancy or labor for signs of sedation, respiratory depression, hypotonia, and feeding problems.
Monitor neonates exposed to Quazepam Tablets during pregnancy for signs of withdrawal. Manage these neonates accordingly . Data Human Data Published data from observational studies on the use of benzodiazepines during pregnancy do not report a clear association with benzodiazepines and major birth defects. Although early studies reported an increased risk of congenital malformations with diazepam and chlordiazepoxide, there was no consistent pattern noted.
In addition, the majority of more recent case-control and cohort studies of benzodiazepine use during pregnancy, which were adjusted for confounding exposures to alcohol, tobacco and other medications, have not confirmed these findings. Animal Data Developmental toxicity studies of Quazepam Tablets in mice at doses up to 400 times the human dose (15 mg) revealed no major drug-related malformations. Minor fetal skeletal variations that occurred were delayed ossification of the sternum, vertebrae, distal phalanges and supraoccipital bones, at doses approximately 70 and 400 times the human dose.
A developmental toxicity study of Quazepam Tablets in New Zealand rabbits at doses up to approximately 130 times the human dose demonstrated no effect on fetal morphology or development of offspring.
Pediatric Use of Quazepam
Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
Contraindications for Quazepam
Quazepam Tablets are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to quazepam or other benzodiazepines. Rare cases of angioedema involving the tongue, glottis or larynx have been reported in patients after taking the first or subsequent doses of Quazepam Tablets. Some patients have had additional symptoms such as dyspnea, throat closing, or nausea and vomiting that suggest anaphylaxis.
Patients who develop such reactions should not be rechallenged with Quazepam Tablets. Contraindicated in patients with established or suspected sleep apnea, or with pulmonary insufficiency. Hypersensitivity to Quazepam Tablets or other benzodiazepines Established or suspected sleep apnea, or chronic pulmonary insufficiency
Overdosage Information for Quazepam
Overdosage of benzodiazepines is characterized by central nervous system depression ranging from drowsiness to coma. In mild to moderate cases, symptoms can include drowsiness, confusion, dysarthia, lethargy, hypnotic state, diminished reflexes, ataxia, and hypotonia. Rarely, paradoxical or disinhibitory reactions (including agitation, irritability, impulsivity, violent behavior, confusion, restlessness, excitement, and talkativeness) may occur.
In severe overdosage cases, patients may develop respiratory depression and coma. Overdosage of benzodiazepines in combination with other CNS depressants (including alcohol and opioids) may be fatal . Markedly abnormal (lowered or elevated) blood pressure, heart rate, or respiratory rate raise the concern that additional drugs and/or alcohol are involved in the overdosage. In managing benzodiazepine overdosage, employ general supportive measures, including intravenous fluids and airway management.
Flumazenil, a specific benzodiazepine receptor antagonist indicated for the complete or partial reversal of the sedative effects of benzodiazepines in the management of benzodiazepine overdosage, can lead to withdrawal and adverse reactions, including seizures, particularly in the context of mixed overdosage with drugs that increase seizure risk (e.g., tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants) and in patients with long-term benzodiazepine use and physical dependency. The risk of withdrawal seizures with flumazenil use may be increased in patients with epilepsy. Flumazenil is contraindicated in patients who have received a benzodiazepine for control of a potentially life-threatening condition (e.g., status epilepticus). If the decision is made to use flumazenil, it should be used as an adjunct to, not as a substitute for, supportive management of benzodiazepine overdosage.
See the flumazenil injection Prescribing Information. Consider contacting a poison center (1-800-222-1222) or medical toxicologist for additional overdosage management recommendations.
Clinical Studies of Quazepam
The effectiveness of Quazepam Tablets was established in placebo-controlled clinical studies of 5 nights duration in acute and chronic insomnia. The sustained effectiveness of Quazepam Tablets was established in chronic insomnia in a sleep laboratory (polysomnographic) study of 28 nights duration. In the sleep laboratory study, Quazepam Tablets significantly decreased sleep latency and total wake time, and significantly increased total sleep time and percent sleep time, for one or more nights.
Quazepam Tablets 15 mg was effective on the first night of administration. Sleep latency, total wake time and wake time after sleep onset were still decreased and percent sleep time was still increased for several nights after the drug was discontinued. Percent slow wave sleep was decreased, and REM sleep was essentially unchanged.
No transient sleep disturbance, such as “rebound insomnia,” was observed after withdrawal of the drug in sleep laboratory studies in 12 patients using 15 mg doses. A double-blind, controlled sleep laboratory study (N=30) in elderly patients compared the effects of Quazepam Tablets 7.5 mg and 15 mg to that of placebo over a period of 7 days. Both the 7.5 mg and 15 mg doses appeared to be effective.
Caution must be used in interpreting this data due to the small size of the study.
Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.
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