Estazolam tablets

What are estazolam tablets?

ESTAZOLAM is a medicine to help you sleep. Federal law prohibits the transfer of estazolam to any person other than the patient for whom it was prescribed. Do not share this medicine with anyone else. Generic estazolam tablets are available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• an alcohol or drug abuse problem

• bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis or other mental health condition

• glaucoma

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea or other breathing difficulties

• myasthenia gravis

• porphyria

• Parkinson's disease

• seizures or a history of seizures

• shortness of breath

• snoring

• suicidal thoughts

• an unusual or allergic reaction to estazolam, other benzodiazepines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take estazolam tablets by mouth. Use estazolam only at bedtime. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the capsules with a drink of water. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. It can take up to 2 hours for drowsiness to occur. Do not take double or extra doses, unless specifically told to by your prescriber or health care professional.

What drug(s) may interact with estazolam?

• alcohol

• bosentan

• caffeine

• cimetidine

• disulfiram

• female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills

• herbal or dietary supplements such as kava kava, melatonin, St. John's Wort or valerian

• imatinib, STI-571

• isoniazid

• medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam or triazolam

• medicines for depression, mental problems or psychiatric disturbances

• medicines for fungal infections (fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)

• medicines for HIV infection or AIDS

• nicardipine

• prescription pain medicines

• probenecid

• rifampin, rifapentine, or rifabutin

• some antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, troleandomycin)

• some medicines for colds, hay fever or other allergies

• some medicines for high blood pressure or heart-rhythm problems (amiodarone, diltiazem, verapamil)

• some medicines for seizures (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone)

• theophylline

• zafirlukast

• zileuton

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines that you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking estazolam?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Your body can become used to estazolam, ask your prescriber or health care professional if you still need to take it. Estazolam should be used only for short time periods. However, if you have been taking estazolam regularly for some time, do not suddenly stop taking it. You must gradually reduce the dose or you may get severe side effects. Ask your prescriber or health care professional for advice. Even after you stop taking estazolam it can still affect your body for several days.

Make sure to take estazolam on nights you know you will be able to get a full night of sleep; at least 8 hours. Sometimes the sleepy effects of estazolam may 'hangover' to the next morning. If this occurs, contact your prescriber or health care professional.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how estazolam affects you. Alcohol may increase dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drink any alcoholic drinks or use any other medicines that contain alcohol while taking estazolam.

Sleep medicines sometimes cause a type of memory loss, in which the person may not remember what has happened in the several hours after taking the medication. This type of memory loss is usually not a problem since this medicine is taken at bedtime; however there have been reports of driving or performing other activities while asleep after taking a sleep medicine. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you think you are having memory problems while on this medication.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds or allergies without asking your prescriber or health care professional for advice. Some ingredients can increase possible side effects.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking estazolam.

Women who may become pregnant should use appropriate birth control methods while taking estazolam. Estazolam may cause birth defects in the unborn child if taken during pregnancy.

What side effects may I notice from taking estazolam?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reaction (itchy, watery eyes, rash, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, tongue, or throat)

• confusion

• depression

• difficulty with movements or coordination

• lightheadedness, fainting, or falls

• mood changes, excitability or aggressive behavior

• restlessness

• sleepwalking or performing other activities while asleep

• weakness or tiredness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation or diarrhea

• dizziness, drowsiness, clumsiness, or unsteadiness; a 'hangover' effect

• headache

• heartburn

• increased dreaming or strange dreams

• stomach upset or pain

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.