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Quazepam: Drug information

Quazepam: Drug information
(For additional information see "Quazepam: Patient drug information")

For abbreviations, symbols, and age group definitions used in Lexicomp (show table)
ALERT: US Boxed Warning
Concomitant use with opioids:

Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.

Abuse, misuse, and addiction:

The use of benzodiazepines, including quazepam, exposes users to risks of abuse, misuse, and addiction, which can lead to overdose or death. Abuse and misuse of benzodiazepines commonly involve concomitant use of other medications, alcohol, and/or illicit substances, which is associated with an increased frequency of serious adverse outcomes. Before prescribing quazepam and throughout treatment, assess each patient’s risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction.

Dependence and withdrawal reactions:

The continued use of benzodiazepines, including quazepam, may lead to clinically significant physical dependence. The risks of dependence and withdrawal increase with longer treatment duration and higher daily dose. Abrupt discontinuation or rapid dosage reduction of quazepam after continued use may precipitate acute withdrawal reactions, which can be life threatening. To reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions, use a gradual taper to discontinue quazepam or reduce the dosage.

Brand Names: US
  • Doral
Pharmacologic Category
  • Benzodiazepine
Dosing: Adult

Note: Reduce dose or avoid use in patients receiving opioids, with significant chronic disease (eg, respiratory compromise), or at increased risk for accumulation (eg, advanced cirrhosis). Use is contraindicated in cases of pulmonary insufficiency. Avoid use in patients with a history of substance use, misuse of medications, or depression (Craske 2022).

Insomnia, sleep onset or sleep maintenance

Insomnia, sleep onset or sleep maintenance (alternative agent):

Note: Due to risk of next day impairment, dependence, and habituation, benzodiazepines should be reserved for patients in whom alternative, safer therapies for insomnia have failed (Neubauer 2021). When used, limit long-term use (>4 weeks) to cases for which nonpharmacologic treatments are not available or not effective and benefits are felt to outweigh risks (ACP [Qaseem 2016]; ESRS [Riemann 2017]).

Oral: Initial: 7.5 mg once daily at bedtime, as needed; may increase daily dose to 15 mg at bedtime, if needed, based on response and tolerability.

Discontinuation of therapy: When prescribing benzodiazepines for insomnia, reduce by 7.5 mg every 1 to 2 weeks until lowest available dose is reached, then discontinue. Patients on long-term therapy or in whom discontinuation has previously failed may benefit from a slower taper in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (Bélanger 2009).

Dosage adjustment for concomitant therapy: Significant drug interactions exist, requiring dose/frequency adjustment or avoidance. Consult drug interactions database for more information.

Dosing: Kidney Impairment: Adult

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.

Dosing: Hepatic Impairment: Adult

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.

Dosing: Older Adult

Dosing should be cautious; begin at lower end of dosing range (ie, 7.5 mg once daily, as needed at bedtime). Avoid use (Beers Criteria [AGS 2019]).

Discontinuation of therapy: Refer to adult dosing.

Dosage Forms: US

Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.

Tablet, Oral:

Doral: 15 mg [scored; contains corn starch, fd&c yellow #6(sunset yellow)alumin lake]

Generic: 15 mg

Generic Equivalent Available: US

Yes

Controlled Substance

C-IV

Medication Guide and/or Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)

An FDA-approved patient medication guide, which is available with the product information and at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/018708s025lbl.pdf#page=12, must be dispensed with this medication.

Use: Labeled Indications

Insomnia, sleep onset or sleep maintenance: For the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty in falling asleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings, and/or early morning.

Medication Safety Issues
Sound-alike/look-alike issues:

Quazepam may be confused with oxazepam

Older Adult: High-risk medication:

Beers Criteria: Quazepam is identified in the Beers Criteria as a potentially inappropriate medication to be avoided in patients 65 years and older due to an increased risk of impaired cognition, delirium, falls, fractures, and motor vehicle accidents with benzodiazepine use. Older adults also have slower metabolism of long-acting benzodiazepines (eg, quazepam). However, quazepam may be appropriate in older adults when used for seizure disorders, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorders, benzodiazepine or ethanol withdrawal, severe generalized anxiety disorder, or periprocedural anesthesia (Beers Criteria [AGS 2019]).

Adverse Reactions

The following adverse drug reactions and incidences are derived from product labeling unless otherwise specified.

>10%: Nervous system: Daytime sedation (12%)

1% to 10%:

Gastrointestinal: Dyspepsia (1%), xerostomia (2%)

Nervous system: Dizziness (2%), fatigue (2%), headache (5%)

Frequency not defined:

Nervous system: Central nervous system depression, drug abuse, drug dependence, drug withdrawal

Miscellaneous: Drug overdose

Postmarketing:

Hypersensitivity: Anaphylaxis, angioedema

Nervous system: Abnormality in thinking, amnesia, auditory hallucinations, behavioral changes (including bizarre behavior), complex sleep-related disorder, depersonalization, disinhibition (including aggressive behavior, extroversion), psychiatric signs and symptoms, visual hallucinations

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to quazepam, other benzodiazepines, or any component of the formulation; established or suspected sleep apnea; pulmonary insufficiency

Warnings/Precautions

Concerns related to adverse effects:

• Anterograde amnesia: Benzodiazepines have been associated with anterograde amnesia (Nelson 1999).

• CNS depression: May cause CNS depression, which may impair physical or mental abilities; patients must be cautioned about performing tasks that require mental alertness (eg, operating machinery, driving).

• Hypersensitivity reactions: Postmarketing studies have indicated that the use of hypnotic/sedative agents for sleep has been associated with hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis as well as angioedema. Patients that have developed angioedema should not be rechallenged with quazepam.

• Paradoxical reactions: Paradoxical reactions, including hyperactive or aggressive behavior, have been reported with benzodiazepines; risk may be increased in adolescent/pediatric patients, geriatric patients, or patients with a history of alcohol use disorder or psychiatric/personality disorders (Mancuso 2004).

• Psychomotor impairment: Increased risk of psychomotor impairment if usual dose is exceeded, used with concomitant CNS depressants, or a full night of sleep (>7 to 8 hours) is not possible.

• Sleep-related activities: Hazardous sleep-related activities such as sleep-driving, cooking and eating food, and making phone calls while asleep have been noted with benzodiazepines (Dolder 2008).

Disease-related concerns:

• Depression: Avoid use in patients with depression because of concerns about worsening mood symptoms, particularly if suicidal risk may be present, except for acute or emergency situations (eg, acute agitation, status epilepticus) (Craske 2022).

• Respiratory disease: Benzodiazepines may cause significant respiratory depression. Use of quazepam is contraindicated in cases of pulmonary insufficiency.

Concurrent drug therapy issues:

• Concomitant use with opioids: [US Boxed Warning]: Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.

Special populations:

• Debilitated patients: Use with caution in debilitated patients.

• Older adult patients: Older adult patients may be more sensitive to benzodiazepines; quazepam may cause confusion and oversedation. Use with caution. Older adult patients may be at an increased risk of death with use; risk has been found highest within the first 4 months of use in older adult dementia patients (Jennum 2015; Saarelainen 2018).

• Fall risk: Use with extreme caution in patients who are at risk of falls; benzodiazepines have been associated with falls and traumatic injury (Nelson 1999).

Other warnings/precautions:

• Abuse, misuse, and addiction: [US Boxed warning]: The use of benzodiazepines, including quazepam, exposes users to risks of abuse, misuse, and addiction, which can lead to overdose or death. Abuse and misuse of benzodiazepines commonly involve concomitant use of other medications, alcohol, and/or illicit substances, which is associated with an increased frequency of serious adverse outcomes. Assess each patient’s risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction prior to and throughout treatment; counsel patients at increased risk on proper use and monitoring for signs and symptoms of abuse, misuse, and addiction. Institute early treatment or refer patients in whom substance use disorder is suspected. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.

• Appropriate use: Should be used only after evaluation of potential causes of sleep disturbance. Failure of sleep disturbance to resolve after 7 to 10 days may indicate psychiatric or medical illness. A worsening of insomnia or the emergence of new abnormalities of thought or behavior may represent unrecognized psychiatric or medical illness and requires immediate and careful evaluation. Does not have analgesic, antidepressant, or antipsychotic properties. Use lowest effective dose; adverse reactions of quazepam are dose related.

• Dependence and withdrawal reactions: [US Boxed warning]: The continued use of benzodiazepines, including quazepam, may lead to clinically significant physical dependence. The risks of dependence and withdrawal increase with longer treatment duration and higher daily dose. Abrupt discontinuation or rapid dosage reduction of quazepam after continued use may precipitate acute withdrawal reactions, which can be life threatening. To reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions, use a gradual taper to discontinue quazepam or reduce the dosage. Some patients may develop a protracted withdrawal syndrome lasting >12 months; may be difficult to differentiate withdrawal symptoms from reemergence or continuation of symptoms for which benzodiazepines were prescribed. Flumazenil may cause withdrawal in patients receiving long-term benzodiazepine therapy.

• Rebound insomnia: Following withdrawal of therapy, transient insomnia may recur accompanied by other reactions, including restlessness, anxiety, and mood changes (Bélanger 2009).

• Tolerance: Quazepam is a long half-life benzodiazepine. Duration of action after a single dose is determined by redistribution rather than metabolism. Tolerance develops to the hypnotic effects (Vinkers 2012). Chronic use of this agent may increase the perioperative benzodiazepine dose needed to achieve desired effect.

• Withdrawal: A longer sleep-onset latency and increased awakenings during sleep may occur for 1 to 2 days following the discontinuation of GABA-mediated (GABAergic) medications. A more severe withdrawal syndrome may rarely occur following abrupt discontinuation or large decreases in dose after sustained use (>10 days), and is characterized by new-onset agitation, ataxia, depersonalization, dizziness, dysphoria, fatigue, headache, hypersensitivity to stimuli, irritability, muscle cramps or pain, nausea, sweating, twitching, vomiting, and weakness. This withdrawal syndrome generally resolves within weeks or upon reinitiation of the GABAergic medication. Intermittent dosing may reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms (BAP [Wilson 2019]).

Metabolism/Transport Effects

Substrate of CYP2C19 (minor), CYP2C9 (minor), CYP3A4 (minor); Note: Assignment of Major/Minor substrate status based on clinically relevant drug interaction potential

Drug Interactions

Note: Interacting drugs may not be individually listed below if they are part of a group interaction (eg, individual drugs within “CYP3A4 Inducers [Strong]” are NOT listed). For a complete list of drug interactions by individual drug name and detailed management recommendations, use the Lexicomp drug interactions program by clicking on the “Launch drug interactions program” link above.

Alcohol (Ethyl): CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Alcohol (Ethyl). Risk C: Monitor therapy

Alizapride: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Azelastine (Nasal): May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk X: Avoid combination

Blonanserin: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Blonanserin. Management: Use caution if coadministering blonanserin and CNS depressants; dose reduction of the other CNS depressant may be required. Strong CNS depressants should not be coadministered with blonanserin. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Brexanolone: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Brexanolone. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Brimonidine (Topical): May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Bromopride: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Bromperidol: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk X: Avoid combination

Buprenorphine: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Buprenorphine. Management: Consider reduced doses of other CNS depressants, and avoiding such drugs in patients at high risk of buprenorphine overuse/self-injection. Initiate buprenorphine at lower doses in patients already receiving CNS depressants. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Cannabinoid-Containing Products: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Cannabinoid-Containing Products. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Chlormethiazole: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Management: Monitor closely for evidence of excessive CNS depression. The chlormethiazole labeling states that an appropriately reduced dose should be used if such a combination must be used. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Chlorphenesin Carbamate: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of CNS Depressants. Risk C: Monitor therapy

CloZAPine: Benzodiazepines may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of CloZAPine. Management: Consider decreasing the dose of (or possibly discontinuing) benzodiazepines prior to initiating clozapine. Monitor for respiratory depression, hypotension, and other toxicities if these agents are combined. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

CNS Depressants: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of other CNS Depressants. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Daridorexant: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Management: Dose reduction of daridorexant and/or any other CNS depressant may be necessary. Use of daridorexant with alcohol is not recommended, and the use of daridorexant with any other drug to treat insomnia is not recommended. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

DexmedeTOMIDine: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of DexmedeTOMIDine. Management: Monitor for increased CNS depression during coadministration of dexmedetomidine and CNS depressants, and consider dose reductions of either agent to avoid excessive CNS depression. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Difelikefalin: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Dimethindene (Topical): May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Doxylamine: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Management: The manufacturer of Diclegis (doxylamine/pyridoxine), intended for use in pregnancy, specifically states that use with other CNS depressants is not recommended. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Droperidol: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Management: Consider dose reductions of droperidol or of other CNS agents (eg, opioids, barbiturates) with concomitant use. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Esketamine: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Flunarizine: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Flunarizine. Risk X: Avoid combination

Flunitrazepam: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Flunitrazepam. Management: Reduce the dose of CNS depressants when combined with flunitrazepam and monitor patients for evidence of CNS depression (eg, sedation, respiratory depression). Use non-CNS depressant alternatives when available. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

HydrOXYzine: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Management: Consider a decrease in the CNS depressant dose, as appropriate, when used together with hydroxyzine. Increase monitoring of signs/symptoms of CNS depression in any patient receiving hydroxyzine together with another CNS depressant. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Kava Kava: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Kratom: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk X: Avoid combination

Lemborexant: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Management: Dosage adjustments of lemborexant and of concomitant CNS depressants may be necessary when administered together because of potentially additive CNS depressant effects. Close monitoring for CNS depressant effects is necessary. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Lisuride: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Lofexidine: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Magnesium Sulfate: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Melatonin: May enhance the sedative effect of Benzodiazepines. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Methadone: Benzodiazepines may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Methadone. Management: Clinicians should generally avoid concurrent use of methadone and benzodiazepines when possible; any combined use should be undertaken with extra caution. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Methotrimeprazine: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Methotrimeprazine. Methotrimeprazine may enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Management: Reduce the usual dose of CNS depressants by 50% if starting methotrimeprazine until the dose of methotrimeprazine is stable. Monitor patient closely for evidence of CNS depression. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Metoclopramide: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk C: Monitor therapy

MetyroSINE: CNS Depressants may enhance the sedative effect of MetyroSINE. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Minocycline (Systemic): May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk C: Monitor therapy

OLANZapine: Benzodiazepines may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of OLANZapine. Management: Monitor closely for hypotension, respiratory or central nervous system depression, and bradycardia if olanzapine is combined with benzodiazepines. Use of parenteral benzodiazepines with IM olanzapine is not recommended. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Olopatadine (Nasal): May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk X: Avoid combination

Opioid Agonists: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Opioid Agonists. Management: Avoid concomitant use of opioid agonists and benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants when possible. These agents should only be combined if alternative treatment options are inadequate. If combined, limit the dosages and duration of each drug. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Orphenadrine: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Orphenadrine. Risk X: Avoid combination

Oxomemazine: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk X: Avoid combination

Oxybate Salt Products: Benzodiazepines may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Oxybate Salt Products. Risk X: Avoid combination

OxyCODONE: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of OxyCODONE. Management: Avoid concomitant use of oxycodone and benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants when possible. These agents should only be combined if alternative treatment options are inadequate. If combined, limit the dosages and duration of each drug. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Paraldehyde: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Paraldehyde. Risk X: Avoid combination

Perampanel: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Piribedil: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Piribedil. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Pramipexole: CNS Depressants may enhance the sedative effect of Pramipexole. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Procarbazine: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b: CNS Depressants may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b. Specifically, the risk of neuropsychiatric adverse effects may be increased. Management: Avoid coadministration of ropeginterferon alfa-2b and other CNS depressants. If this combination cannot be avoided, monitor patients for neuropsychiatric adverse effects (eg, depression, suicidal ideation, aggression, mania). Risk D: Consider therapy modification

ROPINIRole: CNS Depressants may enhance the sedative effect of ROPINIRole. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Rotigotine: CNS Depressants may enhance the sedative effect of Rotigotine. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Rufinamide: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of CNS Depressants. Specifically, sleepiness and dizziness may be enhanced. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Suvorexant: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Suvorexant. Management: Dose reduction of suvorexant and/or any other CNS depressant may be necessary. Use of suvorexant with alcohol is not recommended, and the use of suvorexant with any other drug to treat insomnia is not recommended. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Teduglutide: May increase the serum concentration of Benzodiazepines. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Thalidomide: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Thalidomide. Risk X: Avoid combination

Theophylline Derivatives: May diminish the therapeutic effect of Benzodiazepines. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Trimeprazine: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Valerian: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Yohimbine: May diminish the therapeutic effect of Antianxiety Agents. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Zolpidem: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Zolpidem. Management: Reduce the Intermezzo brand sublingual zolpidem adult dose to 1.75 mg for men who are also receiving other CNS depressants. No such dose change is recommended for women. Avoid use with other CNS depressants at bedtime; avoid use with alcohol. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Pregnancy Considerations

Although information specific to the use of quazepam has not been located, all benzodiazepines are assumed to cross the placenta. Teratogenic effects have been observed with some benzodiazepines; hypoglycemia and respiratory problems in the neonate may occur following exposure late in pregnancy. Maternal use of quazepam later in pregnancy may also be associated with difficulty feeding, hypothermia, hypotonia, and respiratory depression in neonates. Neonatal withdrawal symptoms may occur within days to weeks after birth and “floppy infant syndrome” (which also includes withdrawal symptoms) has been reported with some benzodiazepines (Bergman 1992; Iqbal 2002; Wikner 2007).

Breastfeeding Considerations

Quazepam and the active metabolites 2-oxoquazepam and N-desalkyl-2-oxoquazepam are present in breast milk.

Data related to the presence of quazepam in breast milk are available from a study of four lactating women (postpartum age not stated). Maternal plasma and breast milk were sampled prior to and at intervals for 48 hours following a single dose of quazepam 15 mg. Maximum breast milk concentrations of quazepam and 2-oxoquazepam were reached 3 hours (range 2 to 4 hours) and maximum breast milk concentrations of N-desalkyl-2-oxoquazepam were observed 7 hours (range 4 to 12 hours) after the dose. The mean breast milk concentrations of quazepam, 2-oxoquazepam, and N-desalkyl-2-oxoquazepam were 95.8 ng/mL (range 25.9 to 216 ng/mL), 26.1 ng/mL (range 15.5 to 44 ng/mL), and 2 ng/mL (range 0.9 to 2.9 ng/mL), respectively. Over the 48-hour testing period, ~0.1% of the maternal dose was found in breast milk. Authors of the study estimated a 3.5 kg breastfed infant would ingest ~2.3% of the adult dose. Following multiple doses, the authors estimated the amount of quazepam and metabolites in breast milk would increase to 0.19% of the dose. Infants in this study were not breastfed (Hilbert 1984). Drowsiness, lethargy, or weight loss in breastfeeding infants have been observed in case reports following maternal use of some benzodiazepines (Iqbal 2002). The manufacturer recommends that caution be exercised when administering quazepam to patients who are breastfeeding.

Monitoring Parameters

Respiratory and mental status (as clinically indicated); liver function (baseline, as clinically indicated)

Mechanism of Action

Binds to stereospecific benzodiazepine receptors on the postsynaptic GABA neuron at several sites within the central nervous system, including the limbic system, reticular formation. Enhancement of the inhibitory effect of GABA on neuronal excitability results by increased neuronal membrane permeability to chloride ions. This shift in chloride ions results in hyperpolarization (a less excitable state) and stabilization. Benzodiazepine receptors and effects appear to be linked to the GABA-A receptors. Benzodiazepines do not bind to GABA-B receptors (Vinkers 2012).

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapid

Distribution: Vc/F: 5 to 8.6 L/kg (Ankier 1988)

Protein binding: >95%

Metabolism: Hepatic via CYP3A4, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 (Fukasawa 2004; Kato 2003); forms metabolites (active) 2-oxoquazepam and N-desalkyl-2-oxoquazepam

Half-life elimination, serum: Quazepam, 2-oxoquazepam: 39 hours; N-desalkyl-2-oxoquazepam: 73 hours

Time to peak, plasma: ~2 hours

Excretion: Urine (31%, only trace amounts as unchanged drug); feces (23%)

Pharmacokinetics: Additional Considerations

Older adult: Elimination half-life of N-desalkyl-2-oxoquazepam is increased 2-fold compared with younger adults.

Pricing: US

Tablets (Doral Oral)

15 mg (per each): $34.00

Tablets (Quazepam Oral)

15 mg (per each): $27.00

Disclaimer: A representative AWP (Average Wholesale Price) price or price range is provided as reference price only. A range is provided when more than one manufacturer's AWP price is available and uses the low and high price reported by the manufacturers to determine the range. The pricing data should be used for benchmarking purposes only, and as such should not be used alone to set or adjudicate any prices for reimbursement or purchasing functions or considered to be an exact price for a single product and/or manufacturer. Medi-Span expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind or nature, whether express or implied, and assumes no liability with respect to accuracy of price or price range data published in its solutions. In no event shall Medi-Span be liable for special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of price or price range data. Pricing data is updated monthly.

Brand Names: International
  • Dorme (ZA);
  • Prosedar (PT);
  • Quiedorm (ES)


For country code abbreviations (show table)
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