Temazepam (Restoril) is a benzodiazepine commonly prescribed for insomnia and other sleep disorders. Like other benzodiazepines, its habit-forming potential is high and it should not be taken for more than four weeks.

Until recently temazepam was produced as a gel-filled capsule intended to be taken orally. However, it gained a certain notoriety in the United Kingdom, and especially Scotland, when it was discovered that if the capsules were melted and injected the effects were more potent and akin to alcohol. However, the liquid has a tendency to congeal in arteries and cause thrombosis and gangrene, in some cases requiring amputation.

Temazepam is now a class 'A' drug in the UK and its possession illegal without a prescription. Additionally some manufacturers have discontinued the gel-capsules in favour of solid tablets. In the US, temazepam, like all benzodiazepines, is listed on Schedule IV and is only available by prescription. Certain states require specially coded prescriptions for this medication.

From a recreational point of view, temazepam tablet dosages of roughly 20mg do little other than reduce anxiety. Some recreational users report a feeling for comfort and love. However, a higher dosage combined with alcohol quickly escalates to cause a worrying amount of memory loss (especially towards the latter part of the evening).