Siesta 3 mg Tablet

Benzodiazepine for:

• Short-term relief (2–4 weeks) of severe anxiety, tension and agitation that is disabling or causing marked distress
• Anxiety with physical (psychosomatic) symptoms

Adults: 1.5–3 mg up to three times daily; severe cases in hospital 6–12 mg two to three times daily.

Elderly and debilitated: start at half the usual dose (maximum 3 mg three times daily).

• Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time — usually no more than 2–4 weeks including tapering.
• Do not stop suddenly after regular use; reduce gradually.
• Not for children.

• Myasthenia gravis
• Severe respiratory insufficiency, sleep apnoea
• Severe liver impairment
• Allergy to benzodiazepines
• Depression or psychosis as the sole treatment

Common: drowsiness, tiredness, reduced alertness, muscle weakness, unsteadiness, dizziness, slowed reactions.

Less common: confusion, memory problems, headache, blurred vision, low mood, stomach upset, changes in libido.

Serious: dependence and withdrawal (anxiety, insomnia, tremor, seizures after sudden stopping), paradoxical agitation/aggression, falls in elderly, breathing depression with opioids or alcohol.

• Do not drive or operate machinery while affected.
• Avoid alcohol completely.
• History of drug or alcohol misuse: avoid if possible.
• Elderly: risk of falls and confusion.
• Keep out of reach of others; risk of misuse.

Avoid in pregnancy, especially the first and last trimesters (floppy infant, withdrawal in the newborn). Avoid while breastfeeding.

• Opioids (profound sedation, breathing depression, death), alcohol, other sedatives, antipsychotics, sedating antihistamines, antiepileptics
• Cimetidine, fluvoxamine, ketoconazole, oral contraceptives (raise levels)
• Rifampicin, carbamazepine (lower levels)

Drowsiness, confusion, slurred speech, unsteadiness, slow breathing, coma — especially with alcohol. Emergency care; flumazenil may be used in hospital.

Store below 30°C, protected from light and moisture.