What Causes Impairment Inspite Of Having Temazepam For 27 Years?

Posted on Mon, 9 Jun 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 9 Jun 2014 Answered on

Mon, 30 Jun 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : yes i take both at bed time a 15mg temazepam and a 50 mg amitriptyline would a person be inpaired say 4pm the next day been taking for 27 years

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (-5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Unlikely..

Detailed Answer:
Temazepam is a benzodiazepine drug and Amitriptyline is a TCA drug. You have been taking the drug since last 27 years so most likely you might have developed tolerance to the side effects of the drug. Further as the half life of the drugs is about 10-20 hours, so it is unlikely that there will be impairment next day at 4 pm after the night dose.

Usually benzodiazepines are not advisable in elderly as they cause impairment in cognitive functions. Since you are 73 years of age, please discuss about the need for temazepam use.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad