with a very long elimination half-life. Flurazepam could be therefore unsuitable as a sleeping medication for some individuals due to next-day sedation; however, this same effect may also provide next-day anxiety relief. Residual 'hangover' effects after nighttime administration of flurazepam, such as sleepiness, impaired psychomotor and cognitive functions, may persist into the next day, which may impair the ability of users to drive safely and increase risks of falls and hip fractures. Flurazepam is lipophilic, is metabolized hepatically via oxidative pathways. The main pharmacological effect of flurazepam is to increase the effect of GABA at the GABAA receptor via binding to the benzodiazepine site on the GABAA receptor causing an increase influx of chloride ions into the GABAA neuron. Flurazepam is contraindicated in pregnancy. It is recommended to withdraw flurazepam during breast feeding, as flurazepam is excreted in breast milk. Misuse Flurazepam is a drug with potential for misuse. Two types of drug misuse can occur, either recreational misuse where the drug is taken to achieve a high, or when the drug is continued long term against medical advice. Legal status Flurazepam is a Schedule IV drug under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances. See also Long-term effects of benzodiazepines References External links Rx-List – Flurazepam Inchem – Flurazepam Anticonvulsants Benzodiazepines Hypnotics Hoffmann-La Roche brands Sedatives Chloroarenes Fluoroarenes Lactams GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulators Glycine receptor antagonists Diethylamino compounds