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Uses

What is triazolam used for?

Triazolam is commonly used to treat certain types of a sleep problem called insomnia, which can include symptoms like trouble falling asleep and waking up often during the night.

Triazolam may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does triazolam work (mechanism of action)?

Triazolam produces a calming effect on the brain and nerves, which helps you fall asleep and stay asleep.

How is triazolam supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Halcion

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 0.125 mg oral tablets
  • 0.25 mg oral tablets

How should I store triazolam?

Triazolam should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of triazolam?

The most common side effects of triazolam are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Feeling lightheaded
  • Trouble with balance or coordination

There may be other side effects of triazolam that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of triazolam?

While less common, the most serious side effects of triazolam are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Triazolam may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking triazolam and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Suicidal Thoughts and Actions. Triazolam may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of people. If you are about to harm yourself, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • New or increased thoughts of suicide or death
  • Suicide attempt
  • New or increased feelings of anxiety, depression, or other unusual changes in mood or behavior 

Risk of Misuse and Addiction. Misusing triazolam can lead to serious side effects like coma or death. Misuse means taking a medicine in a way other than how it was prescribed. Take triazolam exactly as prescribed. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel that triazolam is not working. Call your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience any of the following serious symptoms.

  • Sudden confusion or feeling disoriented
  • Feeling paranoid
  • Suicidal thoughts or actions
  • Seizures
  • Trouble breathing

Dependence and Withdrawal Reactions. Triazolam can cause physical dependence, which means your body relies on the medicine to function properly. If you stop triazolam suddenly, it could lead to withdrawal symptoms, which may be life-threatening. Do not stop taking triazolam without talking with your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will tell you how to triazolam to reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions. Call your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience any of the following serious symptoms.

  • Unusual movements, responses, or expressions
  • Seizures
  • Sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes
  • Seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear, also called hallucinations
  • An extreme increase in activity or talking
  • Losing touch with reality

Risk With Opioid Medicines. Taking triazolam with an opioid medicine, such as codeine, morphine, and oxycodone, may lead to severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma, and death. Get emergency help right away if you experience the following symptoms.

  • Slow or shallow breathing
  • Breathing stops (which may lead to the heart stopping)
  • Excessive sleepiness or trouble staying awake 

Some people may experience the following symptoms of a withdrawal reaction that can last for several weeks to more than 12 months.

  • Anxiety
  • Trouble remembering, learning, or concentrating
  • Depression
  • Problems sleeping
  • Feeling like insects are crawling under the skin
  • Weakness
  • Shaking
  • Muscle twitching
  • Burning or prickling feeling in the hands, arms, legs, or feet
  • Ringing in the ears

Decreased Alertness or Coordination. Triazolam can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how triazolam affects you.

Unaware of Activities While Not Fully Awake. Triazolam may cause you to get out of bed and do an activity you do not know you are doing. The next morning, you may not remember doing anything. Some people taking triazolam reported doing the following activities they did not remember doing.

  • Driving a car, also called “sleep driving”
  • Making and eating food
  • Talking on the phone
  • Having sex
  • Sleepwalking

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use triazolam?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take triazolam.

  • Triazolam
  • Halcion
  • Any other medicine known as a benzodiazepine
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific triazolam products they stock.

Drug Interactions. Triazolam should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking triazolam, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about triazolam before using it?

Do not take triazolam unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share triazolam with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep triazolam out of the reach of children. Triazolam is a controlled substance because it can be misused or lead to dependence. Store triazolam in a safe place to protect it from theft. It is illegal to sell or give away this medicine.

People who are 65 years and older can be at greater risk for some side effects of triazolam. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

Take triazolam right before you get into bed.

Triazolam can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how triazolam affects you.

Call your healthcare provider if your insomnia worsens or is not better within 7 to 10 days of taking triazolam. This may mean that there is another condition causing your sleep problem.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using triazolam?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if triazolam is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Mental Health Problems. Tell your healthcare provider about your recent and current mental health problems, especially if you have had depression, thoughts of suicide or dying, or have ever attempted suicide.

Substance Use Disorder. Triazolam is a controlled substance and may be misused or lead to dependence. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of a drug or alcohol disorder. 

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Triazolam may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using triazolam, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how triazolam could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Taking triazolam during the later stages of pregnancy can cause withdrawal and the following symptoms in newborns.

  • Breathing problems
  • Sluggish
  • Low muscle tone
  • Jittery
  • Fussiness or irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Shaking
  • Excessive crying
  • Feeding problems

Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take triazolam while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. If you become pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications. This registry collects information about the safety of psychiatric medicines during pregnancy. You can register by calling 866-961-2388 or online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/pregnancyregistry/.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if triazolam passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take triazolam while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does triazolam interact with foods or drinks?

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking triazolam.

Do not drink alcohol while taking triazolam. The risk of serious problems such as severe dizziness, sleepiness, and trouble breathing may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking triazolam.

Does triazolam interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. 

In particular, make sure to discuss if you are using any of the following before taking triazolam.

  • Ketoconazole (Nizoral) and itraconazole (Sporanox), which are medicines for fungal infections
  • Nefazodone (Serzone), which is an antidepressant medicine
  • Certain medicines for HIV, including ritonavir (Norvir) and lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra)
  • An opioid, such as oxycodone, morphine, codeine, or fentanyl, which is a medicine used for certain types of pain
  • Any other medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, and medicines for anxiety
  • Flumazenil (Romazicon), which is a medicine used to manage benzodiazepine overdose

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of triazolam. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with triazolam. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much triazolam?

If you or someone else has used too much triazolam, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of triazolam?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.