Quazepam

DEA Class;  Rx

Common Brand Names; Doral

Documented hypersensitivity

Acute alcohol intoxication

Myasthenia gravis (allowable in limited circumstances)

Narrow angle glaucoma (questionable)

Severe respiratory depression

Depressed neuroses, psychotic reactions

IV use in shock, coma, depressed respiration, patients who recently received other respiratory depressants

• Drowsiness (12%)
• Dizziness
• Xerostomia
• Dyspepsia
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Hangover

Use caution in COPD, sleep apnea, renal/hepatic disease, impaired gag reflex, respiratory disease, open-angle glaucoma (questionable), depression, suicide ideation

Anterograde amnesia reported with benzodiazepine use

May impair ability to perform hazardous tasks

Patients particularly the elderly, are at higher risk of falls; therapy can cause drowsiness and decrease level of consciousness

Paradoxical reactions, including yperactive or aggressive behavior reported

Sleep-related activities, including sleep-driving, cooking and eating, and making phone calls while asleep may occur; discontinue therapy in these patients

Use caution in patients with history of drug abuse or acute alcoholism; tolerance, psychological and physical dependence may occur with prolonged use

Observational studies have demonstrated that concomitant use of opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines increases risk of drug-related mortality compared to use of opioids alone

If a decision is made to prescribe a benzodiazepine concomitantly with opioids, prescribe the lowest effective dosages and minimum durations of concomitant use, and follow patients closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation; in patients already receiving an opioid analgesic, prescribe a lower initial dose than indicated in the absence of an opioid and titrate based on clinical response

If an opioid is initiated in a patient already taking a benzodiazepine, prescribe a lower initial dose of the opioid and titrate based upon clinical response

Pregnancy Category: D

Lactation: Avoid if breastfeeding