Dalmane Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Dalmane Capsule (flurazepam) is a benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. It helps people fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up less often during the night. Dalmane works by enhancing the calming effects of a brain chemical called GABA. It should be used exactly as prescribed, with care taken around alcohol use, pregnancy, and long-term use due to risks of dependence and withdrawal.

What is Dalmane Capsule

Dalmane is a benzodiazepine medicine used to treat insomnia, including trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. It comes as a capsule and contains the active ingredient flurazepam hydrochloride.

Dalmane Capsule uses

• Short-term treatment of insomnia, including trouble falling asleep, waking up often during the night, or waking too early
• Used in patients with recurring insomnia or poor sleeping habits, or in medical situations where restful sleep is needed

Benefits of Dalmane Capsule

• Helps you fall asleep faster
• Reduces the number of times you wake up during the night
• Increases total sleep time
• Shown to work for at least 28 nights in a row when used as directed

How Dalmane Capsule works

Dalmane attaches to certain brain receptors that respond to a calming brain chemical called GABA. This makes those receptors more sensitive, which slows down brain activity and produces a calming, sleep-inducing effect.

Dalmane Capsule dosage

Take exactly as directed by your doctor, right before getting into bed, not sooner. Only take this medicine when you are able to get a full night's sleep before you need to be active again. Do not take a double dose if you miss a dose at bedtime. If you forget your bedtime dose but are still able to get a full night's sleep, you may take it at that time; otherwise, skip the missed dose. Do not take more than prescribed or for longer than prescribed without talking to your doctor. Dalmane should not be used for more than about 7 to 10 days in a row without re-evaluation by your doctor. Elderly or debilitated patients should use the lowest effective dose. This medicine is not recommended for use in children or anyone under 15 to 18 years of age. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.

Available forms and strengths

• Capsules (15 mg and 30 mg)

Side effects of Dalmane Capsule

Common

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Light-headedness
• Loss of coordination
• Staggering or falling
• Blurred vision
• Headache
• Stomach pain, heartburn, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Nervousness, irritability, or excited feeling
• Increased sweating or flushing
• Itching or rash
• Dry mouth or unpleasant taste in the mouth

Serious

• Hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (allergic reaction)
• Confusion, thinking problems, agitation, or unusual thoughts or behavior
• New or worsening depression, including thoughts of suicide
• Hallucinations
• Memory loss or doing activities like driving, eating, or making phone calls with no memory of it afterward
• Severe daytime drowsiness
• Slow or stopped breathing, especially if combined with opioids or alcohol
• Chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeat, or fluttering in the chest
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, very stiff muscles, high fever, or tremors
• Withdrawal symptoms after stopping, such as unusual muscle movements, seizures, severe mood changes, or hallucinations

Warnings and precautions

• Dalmane should not be used during pregnancy. It can cause birth defects if used early in pregnancy and can cause breathing or feeding problems, or withdrawal symptoms, in a newborn if used near delivery.
• Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking Dalmane because the drug may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing infant.
• People with kidney problems should use Dalmane with caution, and periodic kidney function tests may be needed with repeated use.
• People with liver problems should use Dalmane with caution; it is not recommended for those with severe liver disease, and periodic liver function tests may be needed with repeated use.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking Dalmane. Combining alcohol with this medicine can cause dangerous sedation and even be life-threatening, and the risk can continue for several days after stopping the drug.
• Do not drive or operate machinery after taking Dalmane, including the day after, since it can impair alertness and coordination.
• People have gotten out of bed and done activities like driving, eating, or making phone calls while not fully awake, with no memory of it afterward. This is more likely with alcohol or other sedating drugs.
• Rare but severe allergic reactions can occur, including swelling of the tongue, throat, or voice box, which can block breathing and be fatal. Anyone who has this reaction should not take Dalmane again.
• Stopping Dalmane suddenly after long-term use can cause serious, even life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, so your doctor should guide you on tapering off gradually.
• Misusing this medicine can lead to addiction, overdose, or death.
• Dalmane can slow or stop breathing, especially if combined with opioids or alcohol.

Storage

• Store at controlled room temperature, around 25°C (77°F), with excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F to 86°F)
• Keep in a tightly closed, light-resistant container
• Keep out of the reach of children and pets

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away for signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing.
• Seek urgent medical attention if breathing becomes slow with long pauses, lips turn blue, or the person is very hard to wake up.
• Call your doctor right away if you experience confusion, agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior, severe daytime drowsiness, or new or worsening depression.
• Get medical help right away if you have withdrawal symptoms after stopping, such as unusual muscle movements, major mood or behavior changes, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, or thoughts of suicide.
• If you suspect an overdose, get emergency medical help right away, since combining this medicine with alcohol or other drugs that slow breathing can be fatal.

Alternatives

• Zaleplon
• Triazolam
• Temazepam