Dalmane: Uses, Side Effects, and Risks

Dalmane (flurazepam) is the brand name for a benzodiazepine used to treat sleep disorders like insomnia. The brand has been discontinued, but generic versions of flurazepam are currently available. Due to the calming effects of benzodiazepine drugs, it helps people with sleep problems fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and avoid waking up throughout the night.

While Dalmane (flurazepam) can be useful for treating sleep disorders and other health conditions, it’s a powerful sedative drug that can have side effects and risks – including the potential for misuse and addiction.

Key Points

• Dalmane (flurazepam) is the brand name for a benzodiazepine that’s used to treat insomnia.
• Dalmane has been discontinued as a brand in the USA, but flurazepam is available in generic forms
• Like other benzodiazepines, Dalmane can have a calming effect on the brain but may have serious side effects.
• Dalmane has the potential for drug abuse and addiction, especially with misuse and abuse.

What Is Dalmane?

Dalmane is the brand name for flurazepam, a benzodiazepine drug used to treat sleep problems like difficulty falling or staying asleep. Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that increase the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical in the brain that reduces activity in the areas responsible for memory, reasoning, emotions, and breathing.

In addition to sleep problems, benzos like Dalmane may be used to treat anxiety, panic disorders, and panic attacks, as well as acute alcohol withdrawal.

Dalmane Side Effects

Dalmane has a calming effect that can help you sleep but also has side effects. The common side effects of Dalmane include:[1]

• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Loss of coordination
• Unusual drowsiness
• Falling

Dalmane can weaken your ability to focus, think, and react. These effects may still be present the morning after taking Dalmane.

There’s a risk of serious side effects, including:[2]

• Confusion
• Agitation
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Unusual or strange thoughts or behaviors
• Suicidal thoughts or behavior
• Seizures
• Severe daytime drowsiness
• Depression

Some people who have taken Dalmane have engaged in sleep-related behaviors like sleep-driving, walking, eating, making phone calls, or having sex without any memory of the activity. Tell your doctor if these effects occur.

In rare cases, serious allergic reactions may occur, causing nausea, vomiting, hives, swelling of the face, lips, or mouth, itching skin, and other symptoms. Seek emergency medical treatment if you have an unusual or allergic reaction.

Like other central nervous system depressants, Dalmane can slow or stop your breathing. This is a serious risk when Dalmane is combined with other drugs like alcohol, muscle relaxants, prescription pain medicine like opioids, or other CNS depressants.

Dalmane Risks

Though Dalmane (flurazepam) can be safe as a short-term treatment for insomnia when taken as directed, it has risks. A next-day “hangover” effect can occur with Dalmane, possibly causing drowsiness. It’s important to avoid activities that require you to be alert, such as driving a car, until you know how this medication affects you.[3]

Some people have reported behavioral and personality changes, such as lowered inhibitions, hallucinations, aggressiveness, hallucinations, sleep driving, and other unusual behaviors.[4] Tell your doctor immediately if these behaviors occur.

You shouldn’t use flurazepam if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Benzodiazepine use during pregnancy can cause the baby to be born with withdrawal symptoms, some of which may require medical intervention. More research is needed to determine infant risk.

Benzodiazepines like Dalmane can be habit-forming. Flurazepam and other benzos, such as Klonopin and lorazepam, are controlled medications because of their increased risk of addiction and misuse. Your body can become dependent on the medication even if you take it exactly as directed. Taking flurazepam for the shortest amount of time necessary can reduce the risks.

If you have a history of substance abuse, mental health problems, or suicidal thoughts or actions, discuss your medical history with your healthcare professional. You should discuss any health conditions you have, such as liver disease or kidney disease, and other medications you’re taking, as benzodiazepines can have drug interactions. This includes prescription medications like birth control and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Dalmane Withdrawal

Dalmane use can build physical dependence, which is when your body adjusts to the presence of a drug and needs it to function. Taking the lowest effective dose of Dalmane is important for the shortest period possible.

If you stop taking Dalmane suddenly, especially if you’ve used it for a long time or in high doses, potentially fatal withdrawal may occur.

Call your doctor if you want to stop taking Dalmane or reduce your dose. They can recommend a taper schedule to wean you your dosage and reduce withdrawal symptoms and complications. Don’t attempt to taper your dose on your own.

The withdrawal symptoms of Dalmane may include:[5]

• Headaches
• Restlessness
• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Depression
• Nausea
• Seizures

Withdrawal symptoms can last weeks or months. Some symptoms, such as seizures, can be fatal without medical intervention.

Dalmane Overdose

It’s possible to overdose on Dalmane if you take too high a dose or too frequent doses. An overdose of flurazepam can be fatal if you drink alcohol or take opioid medications or other drugs that cause drowsiness or trouble breathing.

Dalmane overdose symptoms may include:[6]

• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Slurred speech
• Weak or shallow breathing
• Coma

If you suspect someone is overdosing on flurazepam, call 911. Immediate medical attention is the only way to reverse a benzo overdose. Wait with the person until help arrives. If you think they’ve taken an opioid, you can administer naloxone. It won’t help the benzo overdose, but it can reverse the opioid overdose until emergency medical services arrive.

Dalmane Abuse and Addiction

Benzodiazepines like Dalmane have the potential for misuse, such as taking higher doses or more frequent doses than prescribed, and addiction. While the drug can cause physical dependence, this is not an addiction on its own.

A flurazepam addiction is classified as a sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The criteria for drug addiction involving sedative hypnotic drugs include:[7]

• Taking flurazepam in higher amounts or over a longer period than intended
• A persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control flurazepam use
• Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, or recovering from flurazepam use
• Craving flurazepam
• Failing to fulfill major obligations at work, home, or school because of flurazepam use
• Continued use despite persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused by flurazepam use
• Giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of flurazepam use
• Using flurazepam in situations where it may be dangerous
• Continuing flurazepam use despite interpersonal problems

Treating Dalmane Addiction

Addiction to benzodiazepines like Dalmane can be difficult to overcome, especially if you need them to treat a health condition. It is possible with help, however.

The first step in treating benzo addiction is medical detox. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can have life-threatening complications. Medical detox provides medical attention to monitor your health, manage withdrawal symptoms, and prevent complications. This often involves a taper schedule to reduce the severity of symptoms and may include other medicines to manage symptoms.

Detox can build a strong foundation for addiction recovery, but it’s not enough to treat addiction on its own. It’s best to enter a comprehensive addiction treatment program after detox, either on an inpatient or outpatient basis, to address the contributing factors of addiction. While treatment plans are individualized, they may include individual counseling, group therapy, behavioral therapies, and other modalities.

Get Help for Dalmane Addiction

Though Dalmane has been discontinued, generic versions of flurazepam are still available and widely used to treat sleep disorders. This drug is generally safe when taken as directed, but it can be habit-forming. If you misuse or become addicted to Dalmane, it’s crucial to seek professional addiction treatment to manage withdrawal and gain the tools to overcome addiction.