Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Halcion
- Sedative/Hypnotics
Description
Short acting benzodiazepine; no active metabolites; anterograde amnesia reported more frequently with triazolam than with other hypnotic benzodiazepines; used for insomnia.
Indications
Indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia.
Contraindications
Documented hypersensitivity
Acute alcohol intoxication
Myasthenia gravis (allowable in limited circumstances)
Narrow angle glaucoma (questionable)
Severe respiratory depression
Depressed neuroses, psychotic reactions
IV use in shock, coma, depressed respiration, patients who recently received other respiratory depressants
Medications that significantly impair oxidative metabolism mediated by cytochrome P450 3A (CYP 3A) including ketoconazole, itraconazole, nefazodone, and several HIV protease inhibitors
Adverse Effects
- Drowsiness (14%)
- Headache (5-10%)
- Dizziness (5-10%)
- Nervousness (5-10%)
- Ataxia (4-5%)
- Lightheadedness (4-5%)
- N/V (4-5%)
- Anterogade amnesia
- Paradoxical reactions
- Travelers amnesia-especially if combined with EtOH
- Confusion
- Cramps
- Fatigue
- Memory impairment
- Depression
- Visual disturbance
- Xerostomia
- Anterograde amnesia
- Dreaming/nightmares
- Confusion
Warnings
Use caution in COPD, sleep apnea, renal/hepatic disease, open-angle glaucoma (questionable), impaired gag reflex, depression, suicide ideation
Benzodiazepines may worsen depression; take appropriate precautions (e.g., limiting total prescription size and increased monitoring for suicidal ideation) in patients with depression
Anterograde amnesia may occur
Hypersensitivity reactions reported
Sleep related activities (sleep driving, sleep-cooking, sleep-eating etc) may occur
Hyperactive aggressive behavior may occur
May impair ability to perform hazardous tasks
Failure of insomnia to remit after 7 – 10 days of treatment may indicate presence of primary psychiatric and/or medical illness that should be evaluated
Increase in daytime anxiety may occur; consider therapy discontinuation if this occurs
Use caution and consider appropriate dose reduction when used concomitantly with weak or moderate CYP450 3A inhibitors
Therapy can cause drowsiness and a decreased level of consciousness; patients, particularly the elderly, are at higher risk of falls
Pregnancy and Lactation
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to drug during pregnancy
There are no data on presence of drug in human milk or effects on milk production
Maximum Dosage
0.5 mg/day PO.
0.25 mg/day PO.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
How supplied
Triazolam
tablet: Schedule IV
- 0.125mg
- 0.25mg