Temazepam Side Effects: What to Expect and When to Call Your Doctor

Temazepam (Restoril) is effective at helping people fall and stay asleep, but like all medications, it comes with a range of potential side effects. Most people tolerate it well when used short-term as directed. However, temazepam has some serious warnings that every patient should understand before starting treatment.

Common Side Effects of Temazepam

The following side effects are relatively common, especially when starting temazepam or adjusting the dose:

Drowsiness and daytime sleepiness: The most common complaint. Temazepam's effects can linger into the next morning, especially at higher doses or in older adults.

Hangover effect: Grogginess, slow reaction time, or mental fogginess the morning after taking temazepam. This is more common at the 30 mg dose.

Dizziness and lightheadedness: Particularly common in elderly patients. Can increase fall risk.

Headache: A relatively common complaint with benzodiazepines.

Lethargy and fatigue: A general sense of tiredness beyond the drowsiness associated with sleep.

Nervousness or anxiety: Paradoxically, some patients experience increased anxiety, particularly as the medication wears off.

Cognitive impairment: Memory problems, confusion, and impaired concentration can occur, especially with prolonged use.

Serious Side Effects — Call Your Doctor

The following side effects are less common but require medical attention:

Respiratory depression: Slowed or difficult breathing. Risk is significantly increased when combined with opioids or alcohol. Seek emergency care immediately if breathing difficulties occur.

Complex sleep behaviors: Sleepwalking, sleep-driving, making phone calls, or eating while asleep with no memory of the event afterward. Stop temazepam and call your doctor immediately.

Hallucinations: Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren't there. Can occur at normal doses in some patients.

Suicidal thoughts or severe depression: Temazepam may worsen depression in some patients. Call your doctor immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

Severe allergic reaction: Hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat. Call 911 immediately.

Falls and injuries: Particularly in adults 65 and older. Temazepam significantly impairs balance and coordination, increasing the risk of falls and hip fractures.

Boxed Warnings: What the FDA Requires Patients to Know

Temazepam carries FDA boxed warnings — the agency's most serious warning level:

Risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction. Temazepam can be habit-forming. Using it for longer than prescribed or at higher doses increases addiction risk. Never share it with another person.

Risks from concomitant use with opioids. Combining temazepam with opioid pain medications (oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl, codeine) can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Tell every healthcare provider about all your medications.

Dependence and withdrawal risk. Physical dependence can develop even at therapeutic doses. Abruptly stopping temazepam can cause life-threatening withdrawal including seizures. Never stop without medical supervision.

Special Populations: Extra Caution Needed

Elderly patients (65+): The American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria recommends avoiding benzodiazepines in older adults due to elevated risk of delirium, falls, fractures, and cognitive decline. If used, start at 7.5 mg.

Pregnant women: Temazepam is not recommended during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown adverse effects on fetal development. Use of benzodiazepines near delivery can cause neonatal sedation and floppy infant syndrome.

Patients with sleep apnea: Temazepam can worsen sleep-disordered breathing. Use with extreme caution if sleep apnea is present.

How to Reduce Side Effect Risk

Take the lowest effective dose (often 7.5 mg or 15 mg is sufficient)

Only take immediately before bed when you have a full 7–8 hours to sleep

Avoid alcohol completely while on temazepam

Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how temazepam affects you the following morning

Limit use to 7–10 days as prescribed; talk to your doctor before continuing longer

For a detailed look at drug interactions with temazepam, see our guide: Temazepam Drug Interactions: What to Avoid and What to Tell Your Doctor. And if you're still searching for your prescription, medfinder can help you find temazepam in stock near you.