Doral

Doral is a prescription medicine commonly used to treat insomnia. By enhancing the effects of a naturally calming brain chemical, the drug can help relax muscles and cause sleepiness. Doral comes in tablet form and is generally taken once a day at bedtime. Commonly reported side effects include headache, fatigue, dizziness, and daytime drowsiness.

 

What Is Doral?

Doral® (quazepam) is a prescription sleep medication approved for the treatment of insomnia. It is generally recommended for short-term use, although occasional long-term use may be appropriate.
 
(Click Doral Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes It?

Doral is currently made by Questcor Pharmaceuticals.
 

How Does Doral Work?

Doral is part of a group of medications known as benzodiazepines (sometimes called "benzos" for short). Benzodiazepines have a variety of different effects on the body, including:
 
  • Stopping seizures
  • Relaxing muscles
  • Causing sleepiness
  • Reducing anxiety
  • Impairing short-term memory.
     
All benzodiazepines can have these effects to some degree, depending on the specific medication and the dose. They work in the brain by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical that is naturally calming. GABA can slow down or stop certain nerve signals in the brain. This is why Doral and other benzodiazepines are known as mild tranquilizers, sedatives, or central nervous system depressants (CNS depressants).
 

When and How to Take It

General considerations for when and how to take Doral include the following:
 
  • The medication comes in tablet form. It is usually taken by mouth at bedtime.
     
  • Doral can be taken with or without food. If the drug bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Doral may cause serious problems if you take it at higher dosages or for a longer period of time than your healthcare provider recommends (see Doral Abuse).
     

Dosing Information

The dose of Doral your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • Other medications you may be taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Doral Dosage for more information.)
 

Side Effects of Doral

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Doral. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects include but are not limited to:
 
  • Daytime drowsiness
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness.
     
(Click Doral Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 

Drug Interactions

Doral can potentially interact with several other medicines (see Doral Drug Interactions).
 

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Doral if you have:
 
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you may be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Doral Warnings and Precautions to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

What If I Take an Overdose?

People who take too much Doral may have overdose symptoms that could include:
 
  • Drowsiness
  • Confusion
  • Coma.
     
If you happen to take too much, seek immediate medical attention.
 
(Click Doral Overdose for more information.)
 

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you forget to take your dose of Doral, skip the missed dose (unless it is still fairly early in the night). Taking the medication in the middle of the night or during the day can lead to daytime drowsiness.
 

Available Strengths

Doral tablets are available in one strength -- Doral 15 mg. In the past, Doral 7.5 mg tablets were also available, but they are no longer being made.
 

Generic Doral

Although all the patents for Doral have expired, no manufacturers have chosen to make a generic version of the drug.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;