Dalmane, treats sleep disorders

Dalmane is used for:

Treating sleep disorders. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Dalmane is a benzodiazepine. It works by depressing the central nervous system (brain), causing drowsiness to aid in falling asleep.

Do NOT use Dalmane if:

* you are allergic to any ingredient in Dalmane

* you are pregnant

* you have acute narrow-angle glaucoma, severe liver disease, or a mental state in which contact with reality is lost (psychosis)

* you are taking an HIV protease inhibitor (eg, ritonavir) or sodium oxybate (GHB)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Dalmane . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

* if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

* if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

* if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

* if you have glaucoma or a predisposition for glaucoma, kidney or liver problems, lung problems or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), muscle problems, poor health, depression, suicidal tendencies, the blood disorder porphyria, or a history of substance abuse or dependence

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Dalmane . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

* Aprepitant, clozapine, disulfiram, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), kava, nefazodone, omeprazole, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), sodium oxybate (GHB), or valproic acid because they may increase the risk of Dalmane 's side effects * Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) or rifampin because they may decrease Dalmane 's effectiveness

* Clozapine, digoxin, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), or nondepolarizing muscle relaxants (eg, vecuronium) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Dalmane

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Dalmane may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Use Dalmane as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

* Take Dalmane by mouth with or without food.

* Take Dalmane at bedtime with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL).

* If you miss a dose of Dalmane , take it when you remember if you are still able to get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep. If you are no longer able to get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep when you remember, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Dalmane .

* Dalmane may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Dalmane with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

* Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Dalmane ; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.

* If your symptoms do not get better within 7 to 10 days or if they get worse, check with your doctor.

* Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Dalmane before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.

* Some patients taking Dalmane have performed certain activities while they were not fully awake. These have included sleep driving, making and eating food, making phone calls, and having sex. Patients often do not remember these events after they happen. Such an event may be more likely to occur if you use a high dose of Dalmane . It may also be more likely if you drink alcohol or take other medicines that may cause drowsiness while you use Dalmane . Tell your doctor right away if such an event happens to you.

* Use Dalmane with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially confusion, daytime drowsiness, dizziness, falling, and staggering.

* Dalmane should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 15 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.

* PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Dalmane if you are pregnant. Avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Dalmane is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Dalmane .

When sleep medicines are used every night for more than a few weeks, they may lose their effectiveness to help you sleep. This is known as TOLERANCE. Sleep medicines should usually be used only for short periods of time, such as a few days and generally no longer than 1 or 2 weeks. If your sleep problems continue, contact your doctor.

When used for longer than a few weeks or at high doses, some people develop a need to continue taking Dalmane . This is known as DEPENDENCE or addiction.

If you stop taking Dalmane suddenly, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. This may include unpleasant feelings. In more severe cases, you may have stomach and muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, and shakiness. Seizures may rarely occur. If you take Dalmane for more than 1 to 2 weeks, do not stop taking it without talking to your doctor.

Store Dalmane at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Dalmane out of the reach of children and away from pets.