Comprehensive medication guide to Temazepam including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$15 copay for generic temazepam on most commercial insurance plans; listed as Tier 1 or Tier 2 on most Medicare Part D formularies. Prior authorization is not typically required for the generic.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$25–$45 retail for generic temazepam (30-day supply); as low as $10–$11 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons. Brand-name Restoril can exceed $920 — always choose generic.
Medfinder Findability Score
72/100
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Temazepam is a prescription benzodiazepine medication sold under the brand name Restoril. It is FDA-approved for the short-term treatment of insomnia, including trouble falling asleep and trouble staying asleep through the night. Temazepam has been available as a generic medication for decades and is manufactured by multiple companies including Sandoz, Mylan, and Amneal.
Temazepam is taken orally as a capsule in strengths of 7.5 mg, 15 mg, 22.5 mg, and 30 mg. The standard adult dose is 15 mg at bedtime, with effects beginning within 30 minutes and lasting up to 8 hours. It is a DEA Schedule IV controlled substance due to its potential for physical dependence and abuse.
In 2021, temazepam was the 208th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States with more than 2 million prescriptions. While prescribing has declined since the widespread adoption of z-drugs like zolpidem, temazepam remains a clinically important option for severe insomnia cases.
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Temazepam is classified as a positive allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptors. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter — it slows down neural activity. Temazepam binds to the benzodiazepine site on GABA-A receptors and increases the frequency with which chloride ion channels open, enhancing the inhibitory effect of GABA throughout the central nervous system.
This mechanism produces widespread CNS depression, resulting in sedation, reduced anxiety, and skeletal muscle relaxation — all of which help initiate and maintain sleep. The drug's effects begin within 30 minutes of ingestion and can persist for up to 8 hours due to its half-life of approximately 8–15 hours.
Unlike z-drugs (zolpidem, eszopiclone) which selectively target the omega-1 GABA-A receptor subunit, temazepam binds to multiple subunit types, producing broader CNS effects including anxiolytic and muscle-relaxant properties in addition to its hypnotic effects.
7.5 mg — oral capsule
Starting dose for elderly patients (65+) and those with transient insomnia
15 mg — oral capsule
Most commonly prescribed standard adult dose; take at bedtime
22.5 mg — oral capsule
Intermediate dose; less commonly prescribed and may be harder to find at pharmacies
30 mg — oral capsule
Higher dose for patients who do not respond adequately to 15 mg
Temazepam is not currently on the FDA's official Drug Shortage Database, meaning there is no declared national supply crisis. However, patients frequently report difficulty filling prescriptions at their usual pharmacy — particularly at large chain locations.
The availability challenges stem from temazepam's DEA Schedule IV status, which limits pharmacy purchasing quantities. Additionally, as benzodiazepine prescribing has declined since 2010, many chains carry minimal inventory. Specific strengths (especially 30 mg and 22.5 mg) may be harder to find than the more common 15 mg capsules. Independent pharmacies generally maintain better stock than chain locations.
If you're struggling to fill your temazepam prescription, medfinder can call pharmacies near you to find which ones have it in stock, and text you the results — saving you hours of phone calls.
Temazepam is a DEA Schedule IV controlled substance, meaning any licensed prescriber with DEA registration authority can prescribe it. Unlike Schedule II drugs (such as amphetamines or opioids), Schedule IV substances carry fewer prescribing restrictions, making temazepam accessible through a wide range of healthcare providers.
Primary care physicians (family medicine, internal medicine)
Psychiatrists
Sleep medicine specialists
Neurologists
Nurse practitioners (NPs) — in most states with independent prescribing authority
Physician assistants (PAs) — with DEA registration
As of 2026, DEA telehealth prescribing flexibilities allow temazepam to be prescribed via video or telephone visit without an in-person appointment. Telehealth platforms including Teladoc, MDLive, and Brightside Health can connect patients with providers who manage insomnia and prescribe Schedule IV medications.
Yes. Temazepam is a DEA Schedule IV controlled substance in the United States. This reflects its accepted medical use combined with a recognized potential for physical dependence, abuse, and addiction. Schedule IV is the same classification as other commonly prescribed benzodiazepines (lorazepam, alprazolam, diazepam) and z-drugs (zolpidem, eszopiclone).
Practical implications for patients: A valid prescription from a DEA-registered provider is required. Most states allow up to 5 refills within 6 months for Schedule IV prescriptions. Prescription transfer to another pharmacy may be limited to once, and some states require prescriptions to go directly from prescriber to pharmacy electronically. Temazepam cannot be called in by phone in many states — it must be submitted electronically or via written prescription.
As of 2026, DEA telehealth prescribing flexibilities for Schedule IV controlled substances remain in effect, allowing providers to prescribe temazepam via video or phone visit without requiring an in-person appointment.
Drowsiness and next-day grogginess (hangover effect)
Dizziness and lightheadedness
Headache
Nervousness or anxiety (especially as medication wears off)
Lethargy and fatigue
Cognitive impairment and memory problems with prolonged use
Respiratory depression (slowed/labored breathing) — especially with opioids or alcohol
Complex sleep behaviors (sleepwalking, sleep-driving, eating while asleep)
Hallucinations (visual, auditory, tactile)
Suicidal thoughts or worsening depression
Severe allergic reaction (hives, facial swelling, difficulty breathing)
Falls and hip fractures (particularly in elderly patients 65+)
Physical dependence and life-threatening withdrawal (seizures, rebound insomnia)
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Zolpidem (Ambien)
Z-drug; most widely prescribed sleep medication in the US; Schedule IV; effective for sleep onset and maintenance; shorter half-life may mean less next-day grogginess
Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
Z-drug; the only FDA-approved sleep medication with no time-limit restriction; effective for long-term insomnia; Schedule IV
Trazodone (Desyrel)
Antidepressant used off-label for insomnia; non-controlled substance; no physical dependence risk; very affordable ($4-$15/month)
Suvorexant (Belsomra)
Orexin receptor antagonist; newer mechanism; Schedule IV; lower dependence risk than benzodiazepines; brand-only cost is high
Ramelteon (Rozerem)
Melatonin receptor agonist; non-controlled; no dependence risk; effective for sleep onset specifically
Prefer Temazepam? We can find it.
Opioids (oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, codeine)
majorMAJOR: Boxed FDA warning. Concomitant use can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Avoid unless medically necessary with close monitoring.
Alcohol
majorMAJOR: Additive CNS depression. Significantly increases sedation and respiratory depression risk. Avoid completely while taking temazepam.
Buprenorphine (Suboxone)
majorMAJOR: Increased risk of respiratory depression, coma, and death. Concomitant use requires careful medical supervision.
Other benzodiazepines (alprazolam, lorazepam, diazepam)
majorMODERATE to MAJOR: Additive CNS depression and respiratory risk. Avoid combining.
Other sleep medications (zolpidem, eszopiclone)
moderateMODERATE: Additive CNS depressant effects. Should not be combined.
Barbiturates (phenobarbital)
majorMAJOR: Extreme CNS depression when combined. Avoid.
Gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica)
moderateMODERATE: Additive CNS depression; increased risk of sedation and respiratory depression.
Antipsychotics (haloperidol, quetiapine)
moderateMODERATE: Additive sedation. Use with caution; monitor closely.
Caffeine / Green tea
minorMINOR: Caffeine component may reduce temazepam's sedative effects through pharmacodynamic antagonism.
Temazepam is a clinically proven, affordable benzodiazepine sleep medication that has been in use since 1969. As a generic, it is accessible to most patients and covered by the majority of insurance plans — typically at low or no copay. For severe, short-term insomnia unresponsive to non-pharmacological approaches, temazepam remains a valid option when prescribed and monitored appropriately.
The key considerations are its Schedule IV controlled substance status (requiring careful monitoring for dependence), its interaction risk with opioids and alcohol (carrying an FDA boxed warning), and its position in modern prescribing guidelines — it is generally not first-line but remains appropriate for specific clinical situations, particularly when z-drugs or non-controlled options are not tolerated or effective.
If you've been prescribed temazepam and need to find it in stock near you, medfinder can call pharmacies on your behalf and text you which ones can fill your prescription. No more pharmacy phone tag.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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