Flurazepam (Dalmane) Pharmacology:mentalhealth.com:"Flurazepam, a benzodiazepine derivative, is a hypnotic agent which does not appear to decrease dream time as measured by rapid eye movements (REM).Furthermore, it decreases sleep latency and number of awakenings for a consequent increase in total sleep time. In controlled sleep laboratory studies of 20 human insomniac subjects utilizing all night electroencephalograph (EEG), electromyograph (EMG), and electro-oculograph (EOG) recordings, flurazepam usually induced sleep within 22 minutes and usually provided 7 to 8 hours of sleep. Flurazepam is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and is rapidly metabolized. Both hydroxyethyl flurazepam (the major metabolite) and N-desalkyl flurazepam are active. The N-desalkyl metabolite is slowly excreted in the urine as the conjugated form. Because of the long half-life of this metabolite (47 to 100 hours), peak hypnotic effect of flurazepam may be reached after 2 to 3 nights of use"
http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-d01.html#Head_1

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Possible side effects of Flurazepam (Dalmane):psyweb.com:"Common: Clumsiness / Sleepiness. Rare: Abdominal cramps, blurred vision, dry mouth, racing heartbeat / palpitations, shaking / slurred speech, urination problems, convulsions, hallucinations, memory loss, trouble breathing, staggering / trembling, headache or confusion. See physician always: Abdominal cramps, blurred vision, dry mouth, racing heartbeat / palpitations, shaking / slurred speech, urination problems, convulsions, hallucinations, memory loss, trouble breathing, staggering / trembling, headache or confusion. See physician if severe: Clumsiness / Sleepiness. Stop taking and see physician NOW: Convulsions, hallucinations, trouble breathing or staggering / trembling"
http://www.psyweb.com/Drughtm/dalmane.html

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Flurazepam (Dalmane) description and drug class:support4hope:"Flurazepam, a benzodiazepine derivative, is a hypnotic agent which does not appear to decrease dream time as measured by rapid eye movements (REM). Furthermore, it decreases sleep latency and number of awakenings for a consequent increase in total sleep time. In controlled sleep laboratory studies of 20 human insomniac subjects utilizing all night electroencephalograph (EEG), electromyograph (EMG), and electro-oculograph (EOG) recordings, flurazepam usually induced sleep within 22 minutes and usually provided 7 to 8 hours of sleep. Flurazepam is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and is rapidly metabolized. Both hydroxyethyl flurazepam (the major metabolite) and N-desalkyl flurazepam are active. The N-desalkyl metabolite is slowly excreted in the urine as the conjugated form. Because of the long half-life of this metabolite (47 to 100 hours), peak hypnotic effect of flurazepam may be reached after 2 to 3 nights of use. Insomnia, characterized by difficulty in falling asleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings and/or early morning awakening. For short-term and intermittent use in patients with recurring insomnia and poor sleeping habits; however, the safety and efficacy of long-term use has not been established"
http://support4hope.com/medications/index.htm

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Signs, symptoms and treatment of Flurazepam (Dalmane) overdose:healthyplace.com:"Symptoms of overdose may include confusion, slow reflexes, clumsiness, deep sleep, and loss of consciousness. Treatment If you or someone you know may have used more than the recommended dose of this medicine, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Respiration, pulse and blood pressure should be monitored as in all cases of drug overdosage. General supportive measures should be employed, along with immediate gastric lavage. Intravenous fluids should be administered and an adequate airway maintained. Hypotension and CNS depression may be combated by judicious use of appropriate therapeutic agents. The value of dialysis has not been determined. If excitation occurs in patients following flurazepam overdosage, barbiturates should not be used. As with the management of intentional overdosage with any drug, it should be kept in mind that multiple agents may have been ingested"
http://www.healthyplace.com/medications/flurazepam.htm

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Flurazepam (Dalmane) pregnancy precautions:health-center:"When Will My Medication Start to Work?: Usually, you should start feeling the effects of Dalmane within a half hour to one hour, although this medication should be taken for three to five nights to see if any beneficial effects will occur. It may take longer to experience the full effects of Dalmane, which depends on dosage and varies from person to person. Any Other Important Information?: If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, discuss the potential risks of this or any medication with your doctor. Avoid sudden discontinuation of this drug if it has been taken for over four weeks, as adverse withdrawal symptoms may occur with symptoms including depression, confusion, hallucinations, tremor, seizures, muscle cramping, sweating, and vomiting. This drug should not be given to anyone under twelve."
http://www2.health-center.com/pharmacy/antianxiety/dalmane.htm

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Flurazepam (Dalmane) recommended dosage and overdose information:healthsquare:"ADULTS The usual recommended dose is 30 milligrams at bedtime; however 15 milligrams may be all that is necessary. Your doctor will adjust the dose to your needs. CHILDREN Safety and effectiveness of Dalmane have not been established in children under 15 years of age. OLDER ADULTS Your doctor will limit the dosage to the smallest effective amount to avoid oversedation, dizziness, confusion, or lack of muscle coordination. The usual starting dose is 15 milligrams. Any medication taken in excess can cause symptoms of overdose. If you suspect an overdose of Dalmane, seek medical attention immediately. The symptoms of Dalmane overdose may include: Coma, confusion, low blood pressure, sleepiness"
HealthSquare.com
68 East Main St
Somerville, NJ 08876
E-mail: comments@healthsquare.com
http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/dal1113.htm

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Origin, use and short term effects of Flurazepam (Dalmane):boozeanddrugs.com:"Dalmane (flurazepam) is a barbiturate-like drug. When barbiturates were found to produce dependence, barbiturate-like drugs such as methaqualone and flurazepam were introduced as substitutes, but they too have been found to produce dependence. Short Term Effects: The activity of the central nervous system is slowed down. A small dose relieves tension. Large does produce staggering, blurred vision, impaired thinking, slurred speech, impaired perception of time and space, slowed reflexes and breathing, and reduced sensitivity to pain. Overdoses cause unconsciousness, coma and death. About a quarter of deaths due to drugs (excluding alcohol) in Canada are caused by barbiturates and barbiturate-like drugs. Accidental overdoses occur when children swallow pills or when adults with increased tolerance are unsure of how many to take. Use with alcohol can be very dangerous."
http://www.boozeanddrugs.com/BoozeAnddrugs/dalmane.html

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Flurazepam (Dalmane) withdrawel side effects:bipolar.about.com:"More Common: Irritability; nervousness; trouble in sleeping Less Common: Abdominal or stomach cramps; confusion; fast or pounding heartbeat; increased sense of hearing; increased sensitivity to touch and pain; increased sweating; loss of sense of reality; mental depression; muscle cramps; nausea or vomiting; sensitivity of eyes to light; tingling, burning, or prickly sensations; trembling or shaking Rare: Confusion as to time, place, or person; convulsions (seizures); feelings of suspicion or distrust; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)"
http://bipolar.about.com/library/sfx/bl-flurazepam.htm

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Flurazepam (Dalmane) indications and dosage:rxlist:"Flurazepam hydrochloride is a hypnotic agent useful for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty in failing asleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings, and/or early morning awakening. Flurazepam hydrochloride can be used effectively in patients with recurring insomnia or p.o. sleeping habits, and in acute or chronic medical situations requiring restful sleep. Sleep laboratory studies have objectively determined that flurazepam hydrochloride is effective for at least 28 consecutive nights of drug administration. Since insomnia is often transient and intermittent, short term use is usually sufficient. Prolonged use of hypnotics is usually not indicated and should only be undertaken concomitantly with appropriate evaluation of the patient. Dosage should be individualized for maximal beneficial effects. The usual adult dosage is 30 mg before retiring. In some patients, 15 mg may suffice. In elderly and/or debilitated patients, 15 mg is usually sufficient for a therapeutic response and it is therefore recommended that therapy be initiated with this dosage."
http://rxlist.com/cgi/generic2/fluraz_ids.htm



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