TRIAZOLAM

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Halcion

GENERIC NAME(S): TRIAZOLAM

Description: Triazolam is a short-acting benzodiazepine with general properties similar to diazepam.

Onset: 15-30 min.

Duration: 6-7 hrs.

Pharmacokinetics:

Absorption: Rapid and almost completely absorbed from GI tract. Peak plasma concentration: within 2 hr.

Distribution: Protein binding: 89%.

Metabolism: Hydroxylation in liver by cytochrome P450 isoenzyme CYP3A4. Plasma elimination half-life: 1.5-5.5 hr.

Excretion: Excreted in the urine mainly as metabolites with small amounts as unchanged drug.

Uses

This medication , a sedative-hypnotic, treats sleep problems (insomnia) by producing a calming effect on your brain. It gives a better night’s rest by helping you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and lessen how often you wake up during the night. If it does not resolve within 1 to 2 weeks, contact your doctor to check for a different treatment.

How to use triazolam

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using triazolam and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually just before you get into bed. The dosage is based on your medical condition, age, and response to treatment.

Although unlikely, this drug can infrequently cause temporary short-term memory loss. To lessen the chance of this, do not take a dose of this drug unless you have time for a full night’s sleep of at least 7 to 8 hours. If you have to wake up before that, you may have some memory loss.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may do so safely. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms (such as nausea, vomiting, flushing, stomach cramps, nervousness, shakiness) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.

When this medication is used for a long time, it may not work as well. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.

Along with its benefits, this medication may rarely cause abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction). This risk may be increased if you have abused alcohol or drugs in the past. Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lessen the risk of addiction.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists after 7 to 10 days, or if it worsens.

You may have trouble sleeping the first few nights after you stop taking this medication. This is called rebound insomnia and is normal. It will usually go away after 1 or 2 nights. If this effect continues, contact your doctor.

Warnings

Not available.

Side Effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly if dizziness or difficulty with coordination persists or worsens.

This medication may make you sleepy during the day.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any memory loss or mental/mood/behavior changes (such as new/worsening depression, abnormal thoughts, thoughts of suicide, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, aggressive behavior, anxiety).

People may have done activities they are unaware of because they were not fully awake. Contact your doctor if such instances occurred to you.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Precautions:

Allergic reaction to this medication.
Patients with medical history, especially of:
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- lung/breathing problems (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, sleep apnea)
- mental/mood problems (such as depression, thoughts of suicide)
- personal or family history of regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol/other substances
- personal or family history of sleepwalking
- a certain muscle disease (myasthenia gravis)
Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely.
Tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before having surgery.
Older adults may be more sensitive to dizziness, confusion, unsteadiness, and excessive drowsiness.
Triazolam must not be used during pregnancy.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Consult your doctor regarding the precautions mentioned above.

Interactions:

Sodium oxybate may interact with this drug.

Other medications may affect how triazolam works. Examples include:

Boceprevir
Mifepristone
Telaprevir
St John’s wort
Certain antidepressants (such as nefazodone, SSRIs such as fluoxetine/paroxetine)
Azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole)
macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin, clarithromycin)
HIV protease inhibitors (such as lopinavir, ritonavir)
HIV NNRTIs (such as delavirdine)
Rifamycins (such as rifampin, rifabutin)

The risk of serious side effects (such as slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness) may be increased if this medication is used with other products such as:

alcohol
muscle relaxants
narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine)
other medicine for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam)

Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

Overdose & Brands

Overdose:

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include slowed breathing or a deep sleep from which you cannot be awakened.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others. It is against the law.

As you get older, your sleep pattern may naturally change and your sleep may be interrupted several times during the night. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for ways to improve your sleep without medication, such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime, avoiding daytime naps, and going to bed at the same time each night.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, do not take it unless you have time to sleep for 7 to 8 hours afterward. (See also How to Use section.)

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Brands:

There are no brands containing this molecule.