Restoril is one of a group of medications known as benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines have several different effects on the body, including:
- Relaxing muscles
- Reducing anxiety
- Causing sleepiness
- Stopping seizures
- Impairing short-term memory.
All benzodiazepine medications 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 brain chemical that is naturally calming. GABA can slow down or stop certain nerve signals in the brain. This is why Restoril and other benzodiazepines are known as mild tranquilizers, sedatives, or central nervous system depressants (CNS depressants).
Restoril Uses in Children
Restoril is not approved for treating
insomnia in children. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using the drug in children.
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Restoril for something other than insomnia. Currently, there are no universally accepted
off-label Restoril uses.
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