Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Teva Temazepam. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Teva Temazepam with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Teva Temazepam. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• clumsiness or unsteadiness
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• lightheadedness

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• agitation
• anxiety
• behavioural changes, including:
• aggressiveness
• angry outbursts
• irritability
• confusion
• excitement
• hallucinations
• hyperactivity
• lack of memory (of events taking place after the medication was taken)
• signs of Depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)
• sleepwalking

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
• thoughts of death or self-harm

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Teva Temazepam.

Do not take Teva Temazepam if you:

• are allergic to temazepam or any ingredients of Teva Temazepam
• are allergic to other benzodiazepines (e.g., Diazepam, Lorazepam)
• have a history of paradoxical reactions (unusual excitement) to alcohol or sedatives
• have Myasthenia Gravis
• have Sleep Apnea

There may be an interaction between temazepam and any of the following:

• alcohol
• antihistamines (e.g., Chlorpheniramine, cetirizine, Diphenhydramine, Hydroxyzine)
• antipsychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• azelastine
• barbiturates (e.g., amobarbital, butalbital, Phenobarbital)
• benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, lorazepam)
• brimonidine
• Buprenorphine
• Buspirone
• cannabis
• chloral hydrate
• Clonidine
• Dantrolene
• diphenoxylate
• disulfiram
• efavirenz
• Entacapone
• Flunarizine
• Guanfacine
• kava kava
• melatonin
• Methadone
• Mirtazapine
• muscle relaxants (e.g., Baclofen, Cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, orphenadrine)
• Nabilone
• narcotic pain relievers (e.g., Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, Oxycodone)
• Pramipexole
• Ropinirole
• Rotigotine
• Rufinamide
• scopolamine
• seizure medications (e.g., Carbamazepine, Clobazam, Gabapentin, Levetiracetam, Phenytoin, Topiramate)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• Tapentadol
• Tetrabenazine
• thalidomide
• theophyllines (e.g., Aminophylline, Oxtriphylline, Theophylline)
• tolcapone
• Tramadol
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Desipramine, Nortriptyline)
• valerian
• Yohimbine
• Zolpidem
• Zopiclone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Teva Temazepam. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Teva Temazepam.

Addiction potential: Temazepam can become habit-forming. Withdrawal symptoms similar to those occurring with other benzodiazepines and alcohol, have been observed after stopping the medication suddenly after having taken it regularly over as little as 2 to 3 weeks. These symptoms of withdrawal include:

• abdominal cramps
• agitation
• confusion
• Diarrhea
• extreme anxiety
• headache
• irritability
• memory impairment
• muscle pain
• nervousness
• restlessness
• sleep problems
• tension
• tremors
• vomiting

If you have been taking Teva Temazepam for a while, it should be stopped gradually as directed by your doctor.

Anxiety or restlessness: An increase in daytime anxiety or restlessness has been observed during treatment with temazepam.

Complex sleep-related behaviours: Occasionally, people taking Teva Temazepam have experienced instances of driving, preparing food and eating, making phone calls and other activities while "sleeping". These events are generally not remembered. Taking temazepam along with other medications that cause drowsiness, including alcohol, appears to increase the risk for these behaviours. If you observe these behaviours in a family member who is taking Teva Temazepam, or become aware of them yourself, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Confusion: Teva Temazepam may affect mental efficiency (e.g., concentration, attention, and vigilance). The risk of confusion is greater for seniors and those with brain injury.

Depression or psychosis: Abnormal thinking and psychotic behavioral changes have been reported with benzodiazepines (e.g., aggressiveness). Particular caution is warranted in patients with a history of violent behaviour.

If you have a history of depression or other mental illness, this may be more likely to occur. If you experience symptoms of depression such as poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, or notice them in a family member who is taking Teva Temazepam, contact your doctor as soon as possible. You should be closely monitored by your doctor for emotional and behaviour changes while taking Teva Temazepam.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: You should not engage in hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness such as driving or operating machinery until the effects of Teva Temazepam have worn off. Using alcohol or other drugs that cause drowsiness or sedation is not recommended.

Kidney function: Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function may cause Teva Temazepam to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Teva Temazepam may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Teva Temazepam, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause Teva Temazepam to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Teva Temazepam may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Teva Temazepam, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking Teva Temazepam.

Memory disturbance: Amnesia of varying severity has been reported following normal doses Teva Temazepam. Seniors are at particular risk.

Pregnancy: Teva Temazepam may cause harm to a developing baby and should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Teva Temazepam, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if temazepam passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Teva Temazepam, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of temazepam have not been established for children below the age of 18 years.

Seniors: The sedative effects of temazepam may affect seniors more than others. Extra caution is needed, for example, when getting up during the night.