Why do some drugs have different names?
These are trade or brand names registered by the manufacturer. In different countries manufacturers will often use different trade names. The medications have the same active ingredients, but may look different and have a different trade name.
Flurazepam, a benzodiazepine derivative, is a hypnotic agent which does not appear to decrease dream time as measured by rapid eye movements (REM). Furthermore, it decreases sleep latency and number of awakenings for a consequent increase in total sleep time.
In controlled sleep laboratory studies of 20 human insomniac subjects utilizing all night electroencephalograph (EEG), electromyograph (EMG), and electro-oculograph (EOG) recordings, Flurazepam usually induced sleep within 22 minutes and usually provided 7 to 8 hours of sleep.
Flurazepam is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and is rapidly metabolized. Both hydroxyethyl Flurazepam (the major metabolite) and N-desalkyl Flurazepam are active. The N-desalkyl metabolite is slowly excreted in the urine as the conjugated form. Because of the long half-life of this metabolite (47 to 100 hours), peak hypnotic effect of Flurazepam may be reached after 2 to 3 nights of use.
Flurazepam Indications
Insomnia, characterized by difficulty in falling asleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings and/or early morning awakening. For short-term and intermittent use in patients with recurring insomnia and poor sleeping habits; however, the safety and efficacy of long-term use has not been established.
