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Restoril vs. Ativan

Are Restoril and Ativan the Same Thing?

Restoril (temazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam) are benzodiazepines used to treat insomnia symptoms.

Ativan is also used for the management of anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and alcohol withdrawal.

Side effects of Restoril and Ativan that are similar include dizziness, amnesia or forgetfulness, muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination, headache, blurred vision, nausea, or vomiting.

Side effects of Restoril that are different from Ativan include daytime drowsiness (or during hours when you are not normally sleeping), depression, nervousness, excitability, irritability, stomach discomfort, dry mouth, increased thirst, or numbness, burning, pain, or, tingly feeling.

Side effects of Ativan that are different from Restoril include drowsiness, tiredness, sleep problems (insomnia), difficulty concentrating, constipation, changes in appetite, or skin rash.

Both Restoril and Ativan may interact with alcohol or other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety).

Restoril may also interact with itraconazole or ketoconazole.

Ativan may also interact with MAO inhibitors or medicines to treat psychiatric disorders.

Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop taking Restoril or Ativan.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Restoril?

Common side effects of Restoril include:

  • dizziness
  • daytime drowsiness (or during hours when you are not normally sleeping)
  • amnesia or forgetfulness
  • muscle weakness
  • loss of balance or coordination
  • headache
  • blurred vision
  • depression
  • nervousness
  • excitability
  • irritability
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • stomach discomfort
  • dry mouth
  • increased thirst, or
  • numbness
  • burning
  • pain, or
  • tingly feeling

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Restoril including weak or shallow breathing, fast or pounding heartbeats, confusion, slurred speech, unusual thoughts or behavior, hallucinations, agitation, aggression, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself, restless muscle movements (in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck), pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, problems with urination, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

What Are Possible Side Effects of Ativan?

Common side effects of Ativan include:

  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Tiredness
  • Muscle weakness
  • Headache
  • Blurred vision
  • Sleep problems (insomnia)
  • Loss of balance or coordination
  • Forgetfulness or amnesia
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Changes in appetite
  • Skin rash

What Is Restoril?

Restoril (temazepam) is a benzodiazepine sedative hypnotic used to treat insomnia symptoms, such as trouble falling or staying asleep. Restoril is available in generic form.

What Is Ativan?

Ativan (lorazepam) is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety or anxiety associated with depressive symptoms.

What Drugs Interact With Restoril?

Restoril may interact with fluvoxamine, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, or other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). Tell your doctor all medication you use. Restoril must not be used during pregnancy. Other medications in this class have caused birth defects when used in the first three months of pregnancy, and have also caused unusual drowsiness, feeding problems, and liver problems in newborns when used at or near the time of delivery, or withdrawal symptoms in newborns when used for a long time during pregnancy. Use birth control while taking this drug. This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Withdrawal symptoms (such as unusual depressed/anxious mood, stomach/muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, shakiness, seizures) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication.

What Drugs Interact With Ativan?

Benzodiazepines like Ativan produce increased CNS (central nervous system) depressant effects when administered with other CNS depressants such as alcohol, barbiturates, antipsychotics, sedative/hypnotics, anxiolytics, antidepressants, narcotic analgesics, sedative antihistamines, anticonvulsants, and anesthetics.

How Should Restoril Be Taken?

The recommended dose of Restoril is 40 to 320 mcg twice daily for adults and 40 to 80 mcg twice daily for children. If you are also using a bronchodilator, use it first before using the beclomethasone inhaler. There may be other drugs that can interact with Restoril.

How Should Ativan Be Taken?

Ativan can be taken with or without food. Ativan tablets should be swallowed with water.

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