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Brand: DALMANE
Published 2026-02-16 · Last reviewed 2026-02-23 · 5 references
Content sourced from FDA labeling (DailyMed) and peer-reviewed literature.
Flurazepam is a benzodiazepine hypnotic indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia (label; product-dependent). It can improve sleep onset and maintenance but is not a long-term insomnia strategy.
Flurazepam is “long acting” mainly due to a long-lived active metabolite (desalkyl-flurazepam). Accumulation over days is a key reason for next-day impairment and is one reason flurazepam is often avoided in older adults (label).
Long half-life can reduce late-night rebound but increases morning grogginess, falls, and impaired driving risk; total sedative burden and alcohol use amplify harm (label/class).
Boxed warning: Concomitant use with opioids can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death; avoid co-prescribing when possible (label).
The flurazepam compare view, flurazepam evidence feed, and flurazepam print page can support counseling about safer alternatives and carryover impairment.
Flurazepam’s major safety limiter is accumulation: the active metabolite can persist for days, producing daytime impairment even when night-time sleep improves. When used, teams often pair it with quantity limits, a follow-up date, and a taper/stop plan, and avoid it in patients with high fall risk or cognitive vulnerability.
View labelExactRefer to the Glossary entry on Neurotransmitters for background on receptor systems involved in serious mental illness.
Positive allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptors, producing hypnotic effects via increased inhibitory neurotransmission.
Sedation scales with dose and co-administered CNS depressants; “stacking” sedatives is a major driver of harm.
Tolerance can develop with repeated nightly use, and abrupt discontinuation can trigger rebound insomnia and withdrawal symptoms.
Sources: FDA/DailyMed label; insomnia guideline context; benzodiazepine safety guidance.