Temazepam is a prescription sleeping medicine from the benzodiazepine family, used in the UK for short periods to treat severe insomnia. It works well in the short term, but it can cause dependence, so doctors prescribe it carefully and usually for no more than two to four weeks.

This guide explains what temazepam 10mg is, how to take it, its side effects, the risks of dependence and withdrawal, and how it compares with diazepam. It is general information for people who have been prescribed temazepam, or who are considering treatment with their doctor. It is not medical advice.

What is temazepam?

Temazepam is a benzodiazepine, a group of medicines that calm the brain and nervous system. It boosts the effect of GABA, a natural chemical that reduces brain activity and makes you feel relaxed and sleepy.

In the UK, temazepam comes as 10mg and 20mg tablets and as an oral liquid (10mg in 5ml). It is a short-acting benzodiazepine, so it works quickly and wears off by the morning for most people.

What is temazepam used for?

In the UK, temazepam is used:

• to treat insomnia that is severe, disabling or causing extreme distress, for a short time only
• before surgery or some medical procedures, to help you relax (premedication)

It is not a first-choice treatment for poor sleep. Doctors usually recommend sleep hygiene changes and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) first, because these work long term without the risk of dependence. [internal link: your sleep advice page]

Is temazepam a controlled drug?

Yes. In the UK, temazepam is a Schedule 3 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 and a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. This means:

• it can only be supplied against a valid prescription
• the prescription has extra legal requirements and is valid for only 28 days
• pharmacies must store it in a locked controlled drugs cabinet
• possessing it without a prescription, or supplying it to someone else, is a criminal offence

Temazepam is more tightly controlled than most other benzodiazepines because of its history of misuse.

Temazepam dosage

Your doctor will prescribe the lowest dose that works, for the shortest possible time. Always follow the dose on your prescription label.

Who	Usual temazepam dose for insomnia
Adults	10mg to 20mg once a day at bedtime
Older adults (65+) or people with liver or breathing problems	Usually 10mg at bedtime; a lower starting dose is common
Before surgery or procedures	A single dose decided by the anaesthetist or surgeon

Higher doses are used only in exceptional cases, under close medical supervision. Do not take more than your prescribed dose, even if it seems to stop working: taking more increases the risk of dependence and dangerous side effects.

How long can you take temazepam for?

The NHS advises that temazepam should not be taken for longer than four weeks, and this includes the time needed to reduce the dose before stopping. Many courses are shorter, sometimes only a few nights. If you still have sleep problems after this, your doctor will look at other treatments.

How to take temazepam 10mg tablets

• Take your dose just before you go to bed, when you are ready to sleep.
• Swallow the tablet with water. You can take it with or without food.
• Only take it when you can stay in bed for a full night’s sleep (7 to 8 hours), to reduce next-day drowsiness.
• If you forget a dose, skip it. Do not take it in the middle of the night or the next morning, and never take two doses together.

How long does temazepam take to work?

Temazepam usually starts to work within 30 to 60 minutes. Its effects wear off for most people by the morning, but some feel drowsy or slow the next day, especially older adults or those on higher doses.

Storing temazepam safely

Keep temazepam in its original pack, out of sight and reach of children, and somewhere only you can access it. Never share it: giving temazepam to someone else is illegal and could be dangerous for them. Return any unused tablets to a pharmacy for safe disposal.

Temazepam side effects

Like all medicines, temazepam can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. They are more likely in older adults and at higher doses.

Common side effects of temazepam

• Drowsiness or feeling “hungover” the next day
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Muscle weakness and poor coordination, which can lead to falls
• Confusion or forgetfulness
• Dry mouth
• Headache

Serious side effects: when to get help

Contact a doctor or call 111 straight away if you have:

• slow or shallow breathing, or you are very hard to wake
• memory loss for events after taking a dose
• unusual behaviour, such as agitation, aggression, hallucinations, nightmares or sleepwalking (these “paradoxical” reactions are rare)
• low mood or thoughts of harming yourself
• signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing (call 999)

You can report side effects through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

Is temazepam safe?

Temazepam is considered safe when it is taken at the prescribed dose for a short time, under medical supervision. Its main risks are next-day impairment, falls, dependence, and dangerous breathing problems when combined with other sedatives.

Temazepam and alcohol

Do not drink alcohol while taking temazepam. Alcohol strongly increases its sedative effect and can slow your breathing to a dangerous level.

Temazepam with opioids and other medicines

Taking temazepam with opioid painkillers (such as codeine, tramadol or morphine), other sleeping tablets, some antihistamines or certain antidepressants can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma and death. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine you take, including ones bought over the counter and herbal remedies.

Can you drive on temazepam?

Temazepam can affect your ability to drive, especially the next morning. In the UK it is one of the medicines covered by drug-driving law. It is illegal to drive if it impairs your driving. You also need to stay within the legal limit unless you are taking it as prescribed and your driving is not impaired. Do not drive or use machinery until you know how it affects you, and never if you feel drowsy.

Who should not take temazepam?

Temazepam may not be suitable if you:

• have severe breathing problems, sleep apnoea or myasthenia gravis
• have severe liver disease
• have a history of drug or alcohol misuse
• have depression or anxiety that is not being treated
• are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding: taking it late in pregnancy can cause withdrawal and breathing problems in newborn babies

Temazepam dependence and addiction

Temazepam can be addictive. Your body can get used to it within a few weeks. This is called tolerance, and it means the same dose stops working as well. You may also come to feel you can’t sleep without it.

The risk of dependence is higher if you take it for longer than four weeks, take higher doses, or have a history of alcohol or drug problems. Physical dependence can happen even when you take it exactly as prescribed, which is why courses are kept short.

Signs you may be becoming dependent on temazepam

• You need a higher dose to get the same effect.
• You feel anxious or unwell when a dose is late or missed.
• You take it for reasons other than sleep, such as to cope with stress.
• You find it hard to cut down or stop.
• You seek extra supplies from more than one source.

If any of these sound familiar, you are not alone, and help is available. Talk to your GP. You won’t get into trouble for asking for support.

Temazepam withdrawal

If you have been taking temazepam regularly for more than a couple of weeks, do not stop suddenly. Stopping abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms, and after long-term or high-dose use these can occasionally be serious.

Temazepam withdrawal symptoms

• Rebound insomnia (sleep that is worse than before treatment)
• Anxiety, irritability and restlessness
• Sweating, shaking and a fast heartbeat
• Nausea and headaches
• Low mood and difficulty concentrating
• Rarely, after long-term or high-dose use: confusion, hallucinations or seizures

How to stop temazepam safely

Your doctor will usually reduce your dose gradually, at a pace that suits you. Some people who have taken temazepam for a long time are switched to a longer-acting benzodiazepine such as diazepam, which is then reduced slowly. Never change your dose without medical advice.

Temazepam addiction treatment and help in the UK

If you or someone close to you is struggling with temazepam, these services can help:

• Your GP: the first step for most people. They can plan a safe reduction and refer you to local services.
• Local drug and alcohol services: free NHS-funded services, many of which you can contact directly without a GP referral.
• FRANK: free, confidential advice on drugs. Call 0300 123 6600, text 82111, or use live chat.
• NHS 111: urgent medical advice at any time.
• 999: if someone has taken too much and is very drowsy, hard to wake or breathing slowly.

Residential rehab is sometimes needed for long-term or complex dependence, and your GP or local drug service can advise on NHS-funded options. [internal link: your support services page]

Temazepam vs diazepam

Temazepam and diazepam are both benzodiazepines, but they are used differently because of how long they last in the body.

	Temazepam	Diazepam
How long it acts	Short-acting (wears off overnight for most people)	Long-acting (effects can last a day or more)
Main UK uses	Short-term insomnia; before surgery	Short-term severe anxiety, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal, seizures
UK controlled drug schedule	Schedule 3 (stricter storage rules)	Schedule 4
Tablet strengths	10mg, 20mg	2mg, 5mg, 10mg

Is temazepam stronger than diazepam? Not in a simple sense. They are measured differently: as a rough guide, 20mg of temazepam has a similar effect to about 10mg of diazepam. Because diazepam lasts longer, it is often used when someone needs to reduce their benzodiazepine dose slowly.

Temazepam FAQs

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Is temazepam addictive?

Yes, it can be. Tolerance and dependence can develop within a few weeks, which is why the NHS advises taking it for no longer than four weeks in total.

Can you take temazepam for anxiety?

Temazepam is used in the UK mainly for short-term insomnia and before medical procedures, not for daytime anxiety. If anxiety is affecting you, speak to your GP about treatments that are safer for long-term use, such as talking therapies.

Can you take more than 30mg of temazepam?

Only if your doctor has specifically prescribed it. Most adults take 10mg to 20mg, and higher doses are reserved for exceptional cases under close supervision. Taking more than prescribed increases the risk of dangerous side effects, especially with alcohol or opioids.

How long does temazepam stay in your system?

Temazepam has a half-life of roughly 8 to 10 hours, so most of it has left the body within two days. It can be detected in urine tests for longer, often several days, depending on the dose and how long you have taken it.

Can I buy temazepam online?

Only with a valid prescription, dispensed by a pharmacy registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Temazepam is a controlled drug, and any website selling it without a prescription is acting illegally. Tablets from these sites may be fake or contaminated and can be dangerous.

What were temazepam “eggs”?

Temazepam used to be sold as gel-filled capsules, nicknamed “eggs”, which were widely misused. They were withdrawn in the UK in the 1990s. Temazepam is now supplied only as tablets and oral liquid.