• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info

What is this medicine?
ESTAZOLAM (es TA zoe lam) is a benzodiazepine. It is used to treat insomnia. This medicine helps you to fall asleep and sleep through the night.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 09/2009. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit www.drugstore.com. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.

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What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• confusion
• depression
• feeling faint, lightheaded
• mood changes, excitability or aggressive behavior
• muscle cramps
• problems with balance, speaking, walking
• tremors
• unusual activities while asleep like driving, eating, making phone calls
• unusually weak or tired

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

• dizziness, drowsiness
• headache
• increased dreaming
• nausea, vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. It is only for use at bedtime. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on the advice of your doctor or health care professional.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

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What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

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What may interact with this medicine?

• barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures, like phenobarbital
• herbal or dietary supplements, like kava kava, melatonin, or valerian
• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
• medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
• prescription pain medicines
• some medicines for colds, hay fever or other allergies
• some medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenytoin, or primidone

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to estazolam or any ingredient in the formulation.
• Pregnancy.
• Concomitant use of ketoconazole or itraconazole. (See Specific Drugs under Interactions.)

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What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. This medicine is for short term periods of use. If sleep medicine is taken every night for a long time it may no longer help you to sleep. Your body can become dependent on this medicine, ask your doctor or health care professional if you still need to take it. However, if you have been taking this medicine 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 doctor or health care professional for advice. Even after you stop taking this medicine it can still affect your body for several days.

Do not take this medicine unless you are able to get a full night's sleep before you must be active again. You may not be able to remember things that you do in the hours after you take this medicine. Some people have reported driving, making phone calls, or preparing and eating food while asleep after taking sleep medicine. Take this medicine right before going to sleep. Tell your doctor if you are have any problems with your memory.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds or allergies without asking your doctor or health care professional for advice.

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

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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
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• lung or breathing disease
• suicidal thoughts
• an unusual or allergic reaction to estazolam, other benzodiazepines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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