Patient/caregiver was educated on the precautions to be observed while taking restoril as follows:
- Individuals on restoril for long period of time can present with severe withdrawal symptoms, if restoril were discontinued abruptly. Individuals can present with shakiness and nervousness, anxiety, aggression, mood disturbances, restlessness, and rebound insomnia, as part of the withdrawal syndrome. Reduce the dose of restoril gradually over a period of time to avoid the withdrawal symptoms.
- Restoril, as part of depression of the CNS for inducing sleep, can also cause depression of the respiratory center in the brain. This induces slowing down of respirations, reduce gas exchange, and the breathing pattern can become irregular. Individuals with history of asthma and COPD should be extra careful in this regard. Keep a close watch on respiratory patterns and any increase in difficulty breathing should be appropriately reported.
- A lot of other nonprescription products and prescription medications can also influence the activity of restoril in the body. So, be sure to mention your physician and pharmacist regarding your history with restoril and check with them regarding safety, in the event you are being started on any new medications.
- Patients are at risk to experience hallucinations and mood disturbances, such as, exacerbation of anxiety and depressive symptoms, with restoril use. Any changes in the mood and behavior following restoril intake must be reported to the physician, for any change in plan of care to be considered.
