Prosom (Estazolam) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Prosom

Insomnia Treatment (Sleep Aids and Stimulants) »

What is insomnia and what causes it?

Insomnia is difficulty in falling or staying asleep, the absence of restful sleep, or poor quality of sleep. Insomnia is a symptom and not a disease. The most common causes of insomnia are:

medications,
psychological conditions (for example, depression, anxiety),
environmental changes (travel, jet lag, or altitude changes), and
stressful events or a stressful lifestyle.

Insomnia can also be caused by poor sleeping habits such as excessive daytime naps or caffeine consumption and poor sleep hygiene.

The National Center for Sleep Disorders Research at the National Institutes of Health estimates 30%-40% of adults report some symptoms of insomnia each year, and about 10%-15% report they have chronic insomnia.

Insomnia may be classified by how long the symptoms are present.

Transient insomnia usually i...

Read the Insomnia Treatment (Sleep Aids and Stimulants) article »

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Prosom Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking estazolam (Prosom)?

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.

How should I take estazolam (Prosom)?

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.

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