Quazepam(kwa’ ze pam)
Doral
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE C-IV
PREGNANCY CATEGORY X
Drug Classes
Benzodiazepine
Sedative-hypnotic
Therapeutic Actions
Exact mechanisms of action not understood; acts mainly at subcortical levels of the CNS, leaving the cortex relatively unaffected; main sites of action may be the limbic system and mesencephalic reticular formation; benzodiazepines potentiate the effects of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Indications
Insomnia characterized by difficulty in falling asleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings, or early morning awakening
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines, established or suspected sleep apnea, psychoses, acute narrow-angle glaucoma, shock, coma, acute alcoholic intoxication with depression of vital signs, pregnancy (congenital malformations, neonatal withdrawal syndrome), labor and delivery (“floppy infant” syndrome), lactation (infants become lethargic and lose weight).
Use cautiously with elderly patients, impaired liver or renal function, debilitation, depression, suicidal tendencies.
Available Forms
Tablets—15 mg
Dosages
Adults
Initially, 15 mg PO at bedtime. May reduce to 7.5 mg at bedtime in some patients.
Pediatric patients
Not for use in patients younger than 18 yr.
Geriatric patients or patients with debilitating disease
Initially, 7.5 mg PO; if not effective after 1 or 2 nights, increase to 15 mg. In some patients, the dosage may later be reduced to 7.5 mg.
Pharmacokinetics
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