Estazolam Side Effects

Estazolam can cause a severe allergic reaction so stop taking this drug immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms such as:

difficulty breathing
hives
swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat

Serious side effects:

problems with urination
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness
hallucinations, agitation, aggression
weak or shallow breathing, with fast or pounding heartbeats
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) that implicate liver problems
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck
confusion, slurred speech, unusual thoughts or behavior, with suicidal thoughts

Less serious side effects:

dry mouth, increased thirst
headache, blurred vision, depressed mood
amnesia or forgetfulness
mild nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort
numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling
daytime drowsiness, or during the hours that you aren't normally sleeping
feeling nervous, excited, or irritable
muscle weakness, lack of balance or coordination

Warnings & Recalls for Estazolam

Warnings

Do not give this medication to anyone under 18.

Estazolam may cause a severe allergic reaction so be sure to contact your doctor if you get hives, have any difficulty breathing, or have any swelling on your face, lips, tongue, or throat. This medication can be habit-forming, so only take as prescribed.

The sedative effects of this drug may last longer in older adults so be aware of accidental falls which are common in the elderly who take benzodiazepines.

Don't take this medication if you are allergic to this drug or any other benzodiazepines that include but aren't limited to:

alprazolam (Xanax)
chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
clorazepate (Tranxene)
diazepam (Valium)
lorazepam (Ativan)
temazepam (Restoril)
triazolam (Halcion)

Be sure to tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other medications or if you have any of the following conditions because you may not be able to take estazolam or may need a dosage adjustment:

a history of drug or alcohol addiction
myasthenia gravis
smoke
glaucoma
a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior
chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or other breathing problems

Drugs that interact with estazolam

cimetidine (Tagamet)
diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Tiazac)
antibiotics like azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin), Ery-Tab), isoniazid, itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater)
antidepressants such as fluvoxamine (Luvox) or nefazodone (Serzone)
a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton)
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)
medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), mesoridazine (Serentil), pimozide (Orap), or thioridazine (Mellaril)
seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin).

Family planning

Estazolam can cause birth defects in an unborn baby, or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Do not use estazolam if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while on this medication.

Estazolam can pass into breastmilk and harm a nursing baby so be sure to tell your doctor before taking this drug if you are breastfeeding.

Estazolam Treatment and Use

What is Estazolam?

Estazolam is part of a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. It is used to treat insomnia symptoms, that include trouble falling or staying asleep, for a short time.

How does Estazolam work?

Estazolam alters unbalanced chemical levels in the brain that may cause sleep problems, insomnia.

Dosage information

Take medication only when you are ready for bed for several hours of sleep. You will become very sleepy after taking this medication. Store at room temperature.

The usual dose for an adult to treat insomnia is 1 mg orally at bedtime and can increase to a maximum dose of 2 mg orally at bedtime. The dosage for an older adult patient is 1 mg like the adult dose but the only difference is that it only increases by 0.5 mg increments if needed with a maximum dose of 2 mg only if necessary.

Other Names for Estazolam

Brand name

Prosom