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    Temazepam molecular structure

    Temazepam Stats & Data

    Depressant Benzodiazepine
    Eggs Tems Temaze Jellies Mazzies restoril
    Chemical Class Benzodiazepine
    Psychoactive Class Depressant
    Half-Life 8-22 hours (mean roughly 10–12 h)

    Pharmacology

    DrugBank
    State Solid

    Description

    Temazepam, like many other similar and related benzodiazepines, acts as a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) modulator and is capable of eliciting a variety of actions including sedation, hypnosis, skeletal muscle relaxation, anticonvulsant activity, and anxiolytic action . Although the chemical synthesis of temazepam was established by 1965 , mainstream contemporary use of the medication did not occur until it's legitimate use as treatment for insomnia was accepted and approved later on. In particular, before temazepam saw regular prescription use in civilians it was - and still is - employed by the US military as a sedative-hypnotic medication to be taken by soldiers, pilots, etc. to obtain the necessary rest required for medical recovery or scheduled maneuvers and operations . Regardless, temazepam has become one of the most frequently prescribed medications internationally and sees millions of prescriptions every year. Unfortunately, however, given its frequent use and the inherent nature of its pharmacological effects, temazepam - like many other benzodiazepines - possesses a high potential for misuse and is genuinely capable of developing drug tolerance, physical dependence, and addiction in users.

    Mechanism of Action

    Gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is considered the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human body . When GABA binds to GABA(a) receptors found in neuron synapses, chloride ions are conducted across neuron cell membranes via an ion channel in the receptors . With enough chloride ions conducted, the local, associated neuron membrane potentials are hyperpolarized - making it more difficult or less likely for action potentials to fire, ultimately resulting in less excitation of the neurons . Subsequently, benzodiazepines like temazepam can bind to benzodiazepine receptors that are components of various varieties of GABA(a) receptors . This binding acts to enhance the effects of GABA by increasing GABA affinity for the GABA(a) receptor, which ultimately enhances GABA ligand binding at the receptors . This enhanced ligand binding of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA to the receptors increases the aforementioned chloride ion conduction (perhaps reportedly via an increase in the frequency of the chloride channel opening), resulting in a hyperpolarized cell membrane that prevents further excitation of the associated neuron cells .

    Pharmacodynamics

    Temazepam is a benzodiazepine used as a hypnotic agent in the management of insomnia . Temazepam produces CNS depression at limbic, thalamic, and hypothalamic levels of the CNS . Temazepam increases the affinity of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) for GABA receptors by binding to benzodiazepine receptors . Results are sedation, hypnosis, skeletal muscle relaxation, anticonvulsant activity, and anxiolytic action . In sleep laboratory studies, the effect of temazepam was compared to placebo during a two week period . The studies demonstrated a linear dose-response improvement in total sleep time and sleep latency with substantial drug-placebo differences apparent for total sleep time and for sleep latency at higher doses of temazepam . Regardless, REM sleep was ultimately unchanged but slow wave sleep was decreased . Moreover, a transient syndrome, known as "rebound insomnia", wherein the symptoms that led to treatment with temazepam in the first place recur in an enhanced form, may happen on withdrawal of temazepam treatment .

    Metabolism

    First-pass metabolism of temazepam is minimal at approximately 5-8% of an administered dose . Nevertheless, temazepam is principally metabolized in the liver where most of the unchanged drug is directly conjugated to glucuronide and excreted in the urine . In particular, the primary metabolite present in the blood is the O-conjugate of temazepam FDA Label, F3718, L5539. Less than 5% of the drug is demethylated to oxazepam and subsequently eliminated as the glucuronide . Regardless, the glucuronides of temazepam have no demonstrable CNS activity and it is believed that no active metabolites are formed in general FDA Label, F3718, L5539. Since temazepam mainly undergoes Phase II conjugation reactions, it is proposed that it is devoid of CYP450 interactions.

    Absorption

    Studies demonstrate that between 90 to 100% of an orally administered temazepam dose is absorbed, making the medication very well absorbed . The oral administration of 15 to 45 mg temazepam resulted in rapid absorption with significant blood levels achieved in 30 minutes and peak levels at 2-3 hours . In particular, direct studies following the oral ingestion of 30 mg of temazepam revealed measurable plasma concentrations were obtained 10-20 minutes after dosing with peak plasma levels ranging between 666-982 ng/mL (with a mean of 865 ng/mL) presenting approximately 1.2-1.6 hours (with a mean of 1.5 hours) after the dosing . Finally, a dose-proportional relationship was established for the area under the plasma concentration/time curve over the 15 to 30 mg dose range .

    Toxicity

    Manifestations of acute overdosage of temazepam, as with other benzodiazepines, can be expected to reflect the increasing CNS effects of the drug and include somnolence, confusion, and coma, with reduced or absent reflexes . With large overdoses, respiratory depression, hypotension, and finally coma can occur . Benzodiazepines like temazepam might cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Transplacental distribution has in the past resulted in neonatal CNS depression following the ingestion of therapeutic doses of related benzodiazepine hypnotics like diazepam during the last weeks of pregnancy . It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk . Caution should, therefore, be exercised when temazepam is administered to a nursing woman . Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established . Lower doses of temazepam, like 7.5 mg is recommended as the initial dosage for patients aged 65 and over since the risk of the development of oversedation, dizziness, confusion, ataxia and/or falls increases substantially with larger doses of benzodiazepines in elderly and debilitated patients .

    Indication

    Temazepam is specifically indicated only for the short-term management of insomnia , . Furthermore, such management is generally predominantly associated with the symptomatic relief of transient and short-term insomnia characterized by difficulty in falling asleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings and/or early morning awakenings . In particular, the official prescribing information for temazepam typically specifies that the instructions issued for dispensed prescriptions of the medication should indicate specifically that patients are only expected to use the therapy for short periods of time - usually 7-10 days in general FDA Label, F3718. Subsequently, treatment with temazepam should usually not exceed 7 to 10 consecutive days and nor should it be prescribed in quantities exceeding a one-month supply . Some regional prescribing information also notes that temazepam may be used for premedication prior to minor surgery or other related procedures .

    Half-life

    The terminal half-life determined for temazepam is recorded as being between 3.5-18 hours, with a mean of 9 hours .

    Protein Binding

    It has been recorded that about 96% of unchanged temazepam is bound to plasma proteins .

    Elimination

    Following a single dose, 80-90% of the dose appears in the urine, predominantly as the O-conjugate metabolite, and 3-13% of the dose appears in the faeces . Less than 2% of the dose is excreted unchanged or as N-desmethyltemazepam in the urine .

    Volume of Distribution

    The volume of distribution documented for temazepam is 1.3-1.5 L/kg body weight - and in particular, 43-68 L/kg for the unbound fraction .

    Clearance

    Studies regarding the clearance of temazepam have recorded the values of 1.03 ml/min/kg and 31 ml/min/kg for the clearance of total temazepam and the clearance of unbound temazepam, respectively .

    Receptor Profile

    Receptor Actions

    Modulators
    GABA-A receptor positive allosteric modulator (benzodiazepine site)

    Receptor Binding

    Translocator protein modulator

    History & Culture

    1962–1981

    Temazepam was patented in 1962, with its chemical synthesis established by the mid-1960s. While the compound entered medical use in 1969, its specific application as a treatment for insomnia was not fully recognized until 1981. By the late 1980s, temazepam had become one of the most popular and widely prescribed hypnotics on the market. As of 2021, it remained the 208th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with over 2 million prescriptions issued annually.

    Before temazepam saw regular prescription use among civilians, it was employed by the United States military as a sedative-hypnotic medication for service members requiring rest for medical recovery or scheduled operations. The United States Air Force continues to use temazepam as one of the approved "no-go pills" to help aviators and special-duty personnel obtain sleep in support of mission readiness. Personnel must complete ground tests before receiving authorization to use the medication in operational situations, and a twelve-hour restriction is imposed on subsequent flight operations.

    1987–2004

    By 1987, temazepam had become the most widely abused legal prescription drug in the United Kingdom. Its use among street-drug users was typically part of a polydrug abuse pattern, though many individuals entering treatment facilities reported temazepam as their primary substance of concern. The practice of combining heroin with other substances—most frequently temazepam, diazepam, and alcohol—contributed significantly to increases in drug-related deaths in Glasgow and Edinburgh between 1990 and 1992. The severity of the temazepam abuse epidemic received considerable public attention. The BBC series Panorama produced an episode titled "Temazepam Wars" documenting the crisis in Paisley, Scotland, and its associated criminal activity. The phenomenon was also referenced in popular culture through the 1995 Black Grape song "Temazi Party." In response to widespread intravenous abuse of gel-filled capsule formulations, several countries implemented regulatory changes. Australia withdrew temazepam capsules from the market in March 2004, leaving only tablet formulations available. Finland similarly removed the Normison brand from shelves after the liquid contained within gelatin capsules was linked to a significant increase in intravenous use, and temazepam remains more tightly controlled in Finland than other benzodiazepines.

    Temazepam has accumulated numerous street names reflecting its widespread recreational use across different regions. Common terms include "jellies," "eggs," "green eggs," "mazzies," "tems," "beans," "king kong pills," "Edinburgh eccies," "norries," "rugby balls," "terminators," "knockouts," "green devils," "blackout," and "vitamin T." Regional variations exist, with "oranges" being a common term in Australia and New Zealand, while "resties" is used in North America. The term "king kong pills" was formerly applied to barbiturates before becoming more commonly associated with temazepam.

    Effect Profile

    Curated + 32 Reports
    Benzodiazepine 8.0

    Strong anxiolysis, cognitive impairment, euphoria, and sedation

    Anxiolysis×3
    10
    Sedation / Relaxation×2
    84.7
    Motor / Cognitive Impairment×1
    104.6
    Euphoria / Mood Lift×1
    104.7
    Catalog Erowid
    Based on reports from:
    Erowid Experience Reports PsychonautWiki Temazepam

    Tolerance & Pharmacokinetics

    drugs.wiki
    Half-Life
    8-22 hours (mean roughly 10–12 h)
    Addiction Potential
    Moderate to high. Dependence can develop within weeks with daily/nightly use; abrupt discontinuation after prolonged use may cause severe withdrawal including seizures.

    Tolerance Decay

    Full tolerance 14d Half tolerance 42d Baseline ~84d

    Benzodiazepine tolerance develops relatively quickly with daily/nightly use; cross‑tolerance is strong across GABA-A benzodiazepines and partial with other GABAergic sedatives. Estimates are based on clinical switching experience and user reports rather than controlled trials; recovery of receptor function typically takes weeks. Data quality: medium/anecdotal.

    Cross-Tolerances

    Other benzodiazepines
    90% ●●○
    Barbiturates
    50% ●○○
    Alcohol (partial)
    30% ●○○

    Experience Report Analysis

    Erowid
    32 Reports
    2000–2024 Date Range
    14 With Age Data
    16 Effects Detected

    Demographics

    Gender Distribution

    Age Distribution

    Reports Over Time

    Effect Analysis

    Erowid

    Effects aggregated from 32 experience reports (32 Erowid)

    32 Reports
    16 Effects Detected
    9 Positive
    4 Adverse
    3 Neutral

    Effect Sentiment Distribution

    Confidence Distribution

    Positive Effects 9

    Stimulation 34.4% 70%
    Euphoria 31.2% 70%
    Sedation 31.2% 70%
    Anxiety Suppression 31.2% 70%
    Empathy 18.8% 70%
    Music Enhancement 12.5% 70%
    Introspection 9.4% 70%
    Color Enhancement 9.4% 70%
    Tactile Enhancement 9.4% 70%

    Adverse Effects 4

    Motor Impairment 21.9% 70%
    Confusion 15.6% 70%
    Nausea 12.5% 70%
    Memory Suppression 9.4% 70%

    Dosage Distribution

    Dose distribution from experience reports

    Median: 40.0 mg IQR: 30.0–60.0 mg n=15

    Real-World Dose Distribution

    62K Doses

    From 45 individual dose entries

    Oral (n=28)

    Median: 40.0mg 25th: 30.0mg 75th: 60.0mg 90th: 64.5mg
    mg/kg median: 0.618 mg/kg 75th: 1.003

    Insufflated (n=6)

    Median: 10.0mg 25th: 10.0mg 75th: 25.0mg 90th: 35.0mg
    mg/kg median: 0.152 mg/kg 75th: 0.367

    Form / Preparation

    Most common forms and preparations reported

    Body-Weight Dosing

    Dose relative to body weight from reports with weight data

    Median: 0.602 mg/kg IQR: 0.276–0.912 mg/kg n=15

    Redose Patterns

    Redosing behavior across 27 reports

    14.8% Redosed
    1.2 Avg Doses
    50m Median Interval

    Benzodiazepine Equivalence

    20.0 mg Temazepam = 10.0 mg Diazepam
    Potency ratio 0.5
    Bioavailability Oral 96%

    Temazepam - 20mg ~=10mg Diazepam.

    ⚠ All other CNS depressants.
    Read full reports on Erowid →

    Legal Status

    UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971 (Schedule IV)
    Country Status Notes
    Australia Schedule 4 Designated as a prescription-only medicine under Australian scheduling regulations. Cannot be legally obtained without a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner.
    Austria Prescription only (AMG/SMG) Permitted for medical use under the Arzneimittelgesetz (Medicines Act). Possession or sale without a valid prescription constitutes an offense under the Suchtmittelgesetz (Addictive Substances Act).
    Canada Schedule IV (CDSA) Controlled under Schedule IV of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Requires a prescription for lawful possession. Available in various generic and brand formulations through licensed pharmacies.
    Germany Anlage III BtMG Listed in Anlage III of the Betäubungsmittelgesetz (Narcotics Act) since August 1, 1986. Prescriptions must be written on special narcotic prescription forms, except for preparations containing 20 mg or less per dosage unit.
    Hong Kong Schedule 1 Classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance. Subject to strict regulatory controls on possession, prescribing, and dispensing.
    Ireland Schedule 3 Added to Schedule 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 on November 22, 1993. Possession without authorization and unauthorized supply are criminal offenses.
    Netherlands List 2 (Opiumwet) Controlled under List II of the Opium Law. Available through prescription for approved medical indications. Preparation, possession, delivery, and transport without authorization are prohibited, though possession of small quantities for personal use is typically not prosecuted.
    Portugal Schedule IV Classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance under national drug legislation. Available for medical use with appropriate prescription.
    Russia Schedule III Designated as a Schedule III controlled substance since 2013. Subject to regulatory controls on medical prescribing and distribution.
    South Africa Schedule 5 Listed as a Schedule 5 controlled substance. Possession and supply are regulated under national pharmaceutical and narcotics legislation.
    Sweden Schedule IV (List IV) Classified as a prescription medication under List IV (Schedule 4) of the Narcotics Drugs Act of 1968. Legal only with valid medical prescription.
    Switzerland Verzeichnis B Specifically listed under Verzeichnis B (Schedule B) of controlled substances regulations. Medicinal use is permitted with appropriate prescription from authorized practitioners.
    Thailand Schedule II (Psychotropic Substances Act) Listed in Schedule II of the Psychotropic Substances Act. Subject to controls on importation, manufacture, possession, and distribution.
    United Kingdom Class C Controlled as a Class C substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Possession without prescription carries a maximum penalty of 2 years imprisonment and/or a fine. Unauthorized supply is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and/or a fine. Medical professionals must follow specific protocols for prescribing and disposal.
    United States Schedule IV Assigned to Schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act by the DEA, indicating accepted medical use with lower abuse potential compared to Schedule III substances. Possession without valid prescription and unlicensed sale are federal offenses. Several states require specially encoded prescriptions due to historical misuse concerns.

    Harm Reduction

    drugs.wiki

    - Combining temazepam with alcohol, opioids, or GHB/GBL greatly increases the risk of unpredictable deep sedation, respiratory depression, aspiration, and fatal overdose; multiple harm‑reduction teams flag benzodiazepine + depressant combos as particularly high risk. Keep clear separation and avoid co‑use; if opioids are involved, ensure naloxone availability and avoid using alone.

    - Avoid injecting or snorting. Former gel‑filled capsules (“jellies”) led to injection attempts; reports note this formulation was withdrawn in many places due to harms. Temazepam is very poorly water‑soluble (~0.164 mg/mL), so solutions are prone to precipitation and excipient emboli, raising risks of vascular injury, abscess, and tissue necrosis. Oral use is the safer route.

    - Expect amnesia and blackouts at higher doses or with redosing. To reduce harm: pre‑measure a single dose; secure the remainder; avoid online purchases/activities, driving, cooking, or important decisions while under the influence. Next‑day impairment is common; do not drive or operate machinery until fully alert.

    - Tolerance builds quickly with nightly use (often within 2–4 weeks). Dependence and medically significant withdrawal (including seizures) can occur; any long‑term user should taper gradually under medical supervision rather than stopping abruptly.

    - People with respiratory disease, sleep apnoea, or when combined with other sedatives are at higher risk of hypoventilation/airway obstruction; the primary serious risk with benzodiazepines is respiratory depression in vulnerable contexts or polydrug use. Use the lowest effective dose, avoid co‑depressants, and do not use alone.

    - In pregnancy and breastfeeding, prescribed benzodiazepines may be used only when clinically justified; misuse/polydrug use increases risks (e.g., infant sedation/apnoea). Discuss with a clinician; avoid non‑medical use.

    - Drug testing: urine immunoassays typically detect temazepam for ~1–2 days (longer after injecting); hair tests may reflect longer‑term use. Be aware that various benzos and metabolites can cross‑react.

    - Street names for temazepam include “duck eggs” and “jellies”; be wary of non‑pharmaceutical sources due to mislabeling and unknown potency. Prefer known pharmaceutical tablets/capsules if prescribed.

    References

    Data Sources

    Cited References

    Drugs.wiki References

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