Temazepam is a benzodiazepine that's generally used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. However, it can also be used to relieve anxiety, as an anticonvulsant and as a muscle relaxant.
Although Temazepam is useful in reducing the number of waking episodes in people who have trouble sleeping deeply, it also interferes with normal sleep patterns.
It shouldn't be used with patients who suffer from ataxia, hypoventilation, some forms of glaucoma, people with liver or kidney problems, those with sleep apnea, those with clinical depression, people intoxicated with alcohol or narcotics and patients with myasthenia gravis. There are also patients who are allergic to drugs in the benzodiazepine class. It should be completely avoided for those who are, or might be, pregnant. It also poses a very high risk of dependence and abuse as tolerance to the drug develops rapidly. It's one of the most abused drugs in the United States.
Side effects are similar to other benzodiazepines, such as sedation. It can have a severe medicine interaction with alcohol, which could result in death.